The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

AIR arrivals to the Bahamas are up about 10-11 per cent for 2012 to-date, the Ministry of Tourism’s director-general said yesterday, telling Tribune Business that those to Grand Bahama were ahead about 15 per cent.

“So far for the year we are up into Nassau almost 9-11 per cent, and Grand Bahama about 15 per cent,” David Johnson said.

“The Family Islands are averaging about 2-3 per cent ,so overall country wise we are up about 10-11 per cent.”

Mr Johnson added: “That’s very significant very because our inventory hasn’t increased that much. That’s reaching the balance we need.

“In fact, in the case of Grand Bahama, airlift in Grand Bahama was more like 35 per cent, but in visitor usage of those seats we are seeing a 15 per cent growth in arrivals, which means we have excess capacity compared to the demand at this point.”

Mr Johnson also noted that the air fare credit programme, which was reinstated last month, is expected to run until August 20.

““It has been reinstated, it’s in effect now,” he said. “We reinstated it about four weeks ago in order to build business for the fall and into winter. It’s about a six-week promotion period, then we stop, and that generates generally in excess of $2 million of rebate value.”

The latest version of the air credit incentive offers airfare credits (subsidies) between $200-$350 per booking. Visitors booking a stay of six nights or more would receive a $350 credit, while those staying between three-five nights in the Bahamas will receive $200.