The Bahamas set to outpace banner 2019 levels
ANN RUPPENSTEIN
Travellers headed to the Bahamas will soon notice some significant improvements once they hit the runway beyond Nassau as the destination is going through an Airport Renaissance Project.
“We are upgrading 16 of the airports within the Islands of the Bahamas,” shared Latia Duncombe, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “It’s a $250 million project that’s already been started and the airports will be completed over a two to three year period.”
With 6.6 million arrivals already recorded between January to August this year, Duncombe expects 2023 figures to outpace its banner 2019 year of 7.2 million visitors.
“We’re projecting to hit at least 8 million this year and we’re pretty pleased with the results we are seeing this year,” she said.
In accommodation news, there are lots of new and upcoming developments for clients. Already open is the new Goldwynn Resorts & Residences in Nassau. Meanwhile a classic hotel, the British Colonial Nassau is relaunching this year following an extensive renovation as an independently branded property. For those looking for something new in the Abacos, Montage Cay is a new resort that will debut on a private 53-acre island targeting a 2024 opening. Meanwhile, Six Senses Grand Bahama island resort will offer 45 waterfront and canal villas and 20 branded residences on Grand Bahama.
“And in the Exumas, Ki’ama Bahamas, is particularly near to our hearts because it is going to be the first solar-powered shared-ownership yacht and residence club,” she said. “We are really, really excited about this one.”
Earlier this year the re-imagined US$300 million cruise port debuted in Nassau complete with a new Junkanoo museum and a 3,000 seat amphitheatre.
“All of the stores offer authentically Bahamian products for purchase,” she said.
Meanwhile, in Grand Bahama, Carnival Cruise Line is developing Celebration Key, the name of its new exclusive cruise port destination. Another US$250 million cruise port, Calypso Cove, is currently under development on Long Island.
“Cruising is huge in the Bahamas,” she added. “Of the 7.2 million visitors to our shores in 2019, 5.4 million came by cruise. Cruising in the Bahamas is very, very big.”
For travel advisors whose first language isn’t English, The Bahamas Specialist program recently launched in multiple languages to expand the program globally.
