Bahamas News
Bahamas Tourism, on Track for Further Expansion
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Key indicators show that The Bahamas experienced unprecedented growth in tourism, particularly in the Family Islands over the past year, and is on track for further expansion.
This was revealed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper as he highlighted 2024 successes, and shared the 2025 Strategic Plan Update, during a press conference on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Held at the ministry’s conference room at the British Colonial, also present were Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Lisa Adderley-Anderson; Latia Duncombe, Director-General, Tourism; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director-General, Tourism and Director of Aviation; Dwight Gibson, Director, Tourism Development Corporation; and Anthony Bostwick, Consultant, Downtown Development.
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper reported that at the end of 2024, The Bahamas recorded a record-breaking 11.22 million overall in foreign air and sea arrivals, surpassing the previous year’s number by 16.2 percent and 2019 figures by 54.7 percent.
“This is the best year ever, exceeding 2023,” he said.
Out of that number, foreign air arrivals across all destinations exceeded 1.72 million, equaling arrivals recorded in 2023, and surpassing the 1.67 million foreign air arrivals recorded in 2019 by 3.3 percent.
“December 2024 was the best month ever in terms of arrivals with 1.15 million visitors, posting 14 percent ahead of 2023 and 62 percent ahead of 2019. There was an 8.7 percent growth in air arrivals in Grand Bahama, second only to Abaco with an 11.9 percent growth over 2023. This is cause for celebration given the devastation and heralded a return to pre-Dorian and pre-Covid levels. This is truly a remarkable rebound,” he said.
The above results are notwithstanding the interruptions of Hurricanes Milton, Oscar, and the USA elections, he added.
The 2024 Impact of Cruise Tourism Report by the Business Research and Economic Advisors as commissioned by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association has The Bahamas ranked as number one in the Caribbean and Latin America in terms of total economic benefit.
“These passenger and crew visits along with additional expenditures by the cruise lines generated a total of $654 million in cruise tourism expenditures in The Bahamas during the 2023/2024 cruise year compared to $405 million in 2018. This is a staggering 61 percent increase,” Mr. Cooper said, adding “Our estimates suggest that when we add direct employment, taxes and levies the overall benefit exceeds $1.25 billion with overall tourist spending in the $6 billion range.”
Notwithstanding this, he noted that the Government has engaged a study to further calculate and examine the economic benefit of the cruise business to the Bahamian economy.
“We were pleased to see the attractions of more than $10 billion of Foreign Direct Investments over the last two years with high-end brands like Montage, Rosewood, Six Senses, Montage, Rosewood, Park Hyatt, Bvglari and Four Seasons Residences.
“This is extremely positive for cementing our reputation as a premier luxury destination.”
He said Tourism is also optimistic of the contributions to be made by Celebration Key in Grand Bahama and the Royal Caribbean Club, which are new investments, slated to come on stream before the end of 2025.
Additionally, the ministry launched the ‘Home Sweet Home’ program which incentivizes vacation rental as a short-term boost to room availability.
“We are pleased to announce phase II of this program that offers grants of up to $10,000 and loans via the Bahamas Development Bank for qualified applicants,” Deputy Prime Minister Cooper said.
As a whole, the Islands of The Bahamas attracted foreign air arrivals services from 23 airlines and air carriers in 2024, representing direct route services from 34 international markets across the USA, Canada, London, France, Italy, Turks and Caicos, Cayman, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and Panama.
“While we continue to experience unprecedented growth overall, it should be noted that the largest percentage growth in overall foreign air arrivals, as well as increase in seat capacity, were experienced in our Family Islands,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper further noted that Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and International Monetary Fund all praised the post-Covid recovery with the latter noting the “remarkable” recovery of the economy “buoyed by a strong increase in tourism.”
He thanked partners and stakeholders inclusive of airlines, hotels, promotion boards, executives and staff of the ministry and the “magnificent people” of The Bahamas who have embraced the mantra that “Tourism is Everybody’s Business.”
PHOTO CAPTION: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon I Chester Cooper gave a tourism update and projections during a press conference on Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at the ministry’s conference room at the British Colonial. Pictured from left are: Anthony Bostwick, Consultant, Downtown Development; Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Lisa Adderley-Anderson; Deputy Prime Minister Cooper; Latia Duncombe, Director-General, Tourism; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director-General, Tourism and Director of Aviation; and Dwight Gibson, Director, Tourism Development Corporation.
(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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