NASSAU, Bahamas – Within the first three quarters of 2023, The Bahamas welcomed greater than 7.2 million guests, equaling in 9 months the overall variety of arrivals for all of 2019, placing the nation squarely on track to welcome greater than 8 million guests this 12 months.
The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation can affirm that arrivals by air and sea, from January via the top of September 2023, numbered 7,209,165. Of this report variety of guests to our stunning islands, 1,332,752 came by air and 5,876,413 got here by sea as whole arrivals are outpacing 2019 by 33 %.
Deputy Prime Minister, I. Chester Cooper
Elaborating on the nation’s 2023 tourism efficiency, the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, mentioned:
“The general aim of our efforts in tourism is to repeatedly enhance customer arrival numbers to our vacation spot, 12 months after 12 months. Our tourism efficiency in 2023 has been spectacular on two fronts. Now we have surpassed the tourism benchmark 12 months of 2019 throughout all metrics, and our customer arrival numbers are a powerful indication of an entire publish pandemic rebound.”
Cruise arrivals from the start of the 12 months via September are up 61% % over the corresponding interval in 2022, and 45 % forward of 2019.
Overseas air arrivals which embrace stopovers and day guests, are up 21 % over the identical interval in 2022 and stopover guests via September, are simply shy of the overall variety of stopover guests for a similar interval of 2019.
Lodge occupancy is up over 2019, with common day by day room charges and room income considerably forward of that 12 months. The Bahamas additionally continues to see good points within the total spend of tourists onshore
. DPM Cooper hailed the end result as a confluence of strategic planning and lodge and cruise operators’ continued confidence within the power of The Bahamas model.
“We are actually sure to have a report 12 months for tourism arrivals, and it’s no fluke.”
“Now we have a number of the most tasty cruise locations within the area, with the brand new Port of Nassau making waves on social media and all through the journey sector. Nassau, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Half Moon Cay and different locations have seen exceptional progress in cruise arrivals previously two years, with extra guests coming off the ships and spending extra time onshore. This exercise is being felt all through the economic system.”
Stopover Guests Rising
DPM Cooper identified that the metrics are additionally altering with stopover guests.
“We see that room charges are almost 60 % increased than they have been in 2019, but occupancy charges are increased and room nights bought continues to extend.”
“This not solely interprets to increased income for all tourism stakeholders, but in addition speaks to the extraordinary demand that exists for our product. Importantly, we’re seeing a wholesome maintain in repeat guests from our essential supply markets, whereas witnessing main will increase in new arrivals who’re spreading the message about The Bahamas.”
Cooper mentioned the dedication of tourism stakeholders to offering new experiences and stellar service 12 months in and 12 months out has not solely helped The Bahamas tourism business get well to pre-pandemic ranges however can also be pushing us towards gaining considerably extra market share within the area.
“Now we have to be extremely intentional about tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and its companions spend quite a lot of time and power to higher perceive our prospects,” he mentioned. “What we all know is that with the tasks underway in a lot of our islands and, the following few years of redevelopment of airport infrastructure throughout our islands, we are going to proceed to develop our arrival numbers, barring any acts of God or world shocks.”
“That is the strongest tourism has ever been, and we solely count on our efficiency to get stronger.”
