The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Total visitor arrivals for the first nine months of 2023 have equalled pre-COVID’s 2019 full-year record of 7.2m, it was revealed yesterday, with hotel room rates almost 60 percent higher.

Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said The Bahamas’ post-pandemic tourism rebound was “no fluke” and that it was “now certain” this nation will hit its record eight million total visitor target for the 2023 full-year.

His ministry, in a statement, said The Bahamas is “squarely on target” to achieve this goal after total air and sea arrivals for the nine months to end-September 2023 hit 7.209m. Of that number, 1.333m came by air and 5.876m by sea, with total arrivals outpacing 2019 figures by 33 percent.

Cruise arrivals from the first nine months of 2023 are up 61 percent year-over-year, and 45 percent ahead of 2019, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Foreign air arrivals, which include stopovers and day visitors, are up 21 percent over the same period in 2022 through September 2023, but remain just below comparatives for the pre-COVID record year of 2019.

Hotel occupancy was also said to be ahead of 2019, with average daily room rates and room revenue significantly ahead of that year. The Ministry of Tourism added that The Bahamas continues to see gains in the overall visitor spending.

“We see that room rates are nearly 60 percent higher than they were in 2019, yet occupancy rates are higher and room nights sold continues to increase,” Mr Cooper said in a statement yesterday. “This not only translates to higher revenue for all tourism stakeholders, but also speaks to the extraordinary demand that exists for our product.

“Importantly, we are seeing a healthy hold in repeat visitors from our main source markets, while witnessing major increases in new arrivals who are spreading the message about The Bahamas.... We are now certain to have a record year for tourism arrivals, and it’s no fluke.”

“We have some of the most attractive cruise destinations in the region, with the new port of Nassau making waves on social media and throughout the travel sector. Nassau, Bimini, the Berry Islands, Half Moon Cay and other destinations have seen remarkable growth in cruise arrivals in the past two years, with more visitors coming off the ships and spending more time onshore. This activity is being felt throughout the economy,” he added.

“Our tourism performance in 2023 has been spectacular on two fronts. We have surpassed the tourism benchmark year of 2019 across all metrics, and our visitor arrival numbers are a resounding indication of a complete post- pandemic rebound.”

Earlier in Parliament, Mr Cooper said: “September, year-to-date 2023, foreign air and sea arrivals increased by 50.4 percent compared to the same period of 2022. Cruise arrivals from the beginning of the year through September are up 60 percent over the corresponding period in 2022, and 45 percent ahead of 2019.

“Foreign air arrivals, which represent stopover visitors, are up 20 percent over the same period in 2022 and through September are right at the total number of stopover visitors for 2019.”

Turning to the British Colonial’s imminent re-opening, Mr Cooper added: “I am pleased to tell you that the iconic British Colonial will open on December 12 with 288 renovated rooms, 300 Bahamian employees and 18,000 square feet of meeting space.

We will continue to access opportunities in key source markets, and will also strategically leverage Bahamasair to bolster underserved markets and drive traffic, particularly to Grand Bahama.

“With major investors expressing increased interest in the booming demand for The Bahamas, this government will stand up Bahamas Invest, with increased resources as well as a new promotional arm and compliance unit, positions for directors of these units are now being advertised.”

Mr Cooper added that The Bahamas’ Latin American visitor market continues to expand steadily post-pandemic, along with traffic from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia.

Family Island tourism is also increasing along side New Providence and Paradise Island. Mr Cooper said: “When we came to office we promised you that we would not be Nassau-centric and we have provided a full push of our 16 island destinations. All are seeing steady growth, including Cat Island and Exuma in the 11 percent range.

The Berry Islands are up 36.4 percent, while Eleuthera and Abaco are ahead 44 percent and 38 percent, respectively. Mr Cooper added: “Notwithstanding the prophets of gloom and doom, Grand Bahama is up 64 percent, leading growth in air arrivals with an increase of 43.6 percent. And Bimini, we are fighting for you. Bimini, you are up by 138 percent.”