Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has welcomed the continued progress in tourism between Nassau, The Bahamas, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, following the profitable launch of Bahamasair’s direct twice-weekly service in November 2024.
Because the inaugural flight landed at Sangster Worldwide Airport seven months in the past, the route has seen a gentle enhance in customer visitors. Jamaica recorded 3,092 arrivals from Nassau and three,074 departures to The Bahamas, underscoring the robust demand for seamless regional journey between two of the Caribbean’s most distinguished tourism locations.
“The success of this route demonstrates the large potential for intra-Caribbean journey after we take away obstacles and create handy connections,” Minister Bartlett stated. “Nassau guests are discovering the distinctive sights of western Jamaica, from our pristine seashores to our wealthy cultural heritage whereas Jamaicans now can discover the distinctive options of the islands of The Bahamas. The brand new route additionally offers financial advantages for each nations by way of elevated customer spend,” he added.
Search curiosity for journey to Jamaica has surged because the route’s launch, pointing to rising momentum over the subsequent three months. Jamaica presently holds the biggest share of Caribbean vacation spot searches from The Bahamas, outpacing locations just like the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and St. Lucia.
Director of Tourism, Donovan White, emphasised the broader impression of the direct service. “The direct hyperlink has facilitated deeper cultural and enterprise relationships between Jamaica and The Bahamas which exemplifies profitable intra-Caribbean collaboration. That is greater than only a flight route – it’s a bridge connecting our Caribbean household,” he stated.
The 1 hour and 25-minute flight, working on Thursdays and Sundays, has eradicated the necessity for prolonged layovers by way of the U.S. or different worldwide hubs. The rise in customer spending is predicted to ship a considerable financial increase to companies throughout each nations, together with accommodations, eating places, and tour operators.
Throughout a current go to to The Bahamas by the Jamaica Vacationer Board (JTB), Bahamasair Chairman Tanya Pratt highlighted the spirit of regional unity. “The Caribbean is strongest after we transfer ahead collectively. This isn’t only a go to, it’s a celebration of shared values, household, and imaginative and prescient. What we’re constructing at this time may have lasting ripple results,” she stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Bahamasair’s Deputy Managing Director Shevonn Cambridge famous that the airline sees airlift as “not nearly transportation, it’s about connection.” He additionally prolonged due to the JTB for its collaboration and assist in creating a brand new mannequin for regional partnership.
To deepen the connection and promote the route, Bahamasair and the JTB launched reciprocal immersive experiences to assist every group higher perceive the distinctive choices of each locations. The initiative was designed to encourage stronger cooperation in advertising and improvement.
The brand new service is drawing curiosity from each leisure vacationers searching for multi-destination Caribbean experiences and enterprise vacationers aiming to strengthen business ties. The JTB stays dedicated to working with Bahamasair to boost connectivity and assist the area’s broader tourism ambitions.
