The Bahamas achieves unprecedented tourism success by breaking the record with 12.5 million visitors

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation today announced a historic milestone for the country's tourism industry, welcoming a record 12.5 million visitors – the highest number ever recorded. This achievement firmly positions The Bahamas as one of the world's leading tourist destinations and reflects sustained global demand, decisive leadership, and a tourism strategy that is generating a tangible economic impact across the country.

Visitor arrivals grew 11.4% year-over-year, surpassing the record set in 2014 and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 70%. This growth underscores the strength and resilience of demand across all global markets.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, the Honorable I. Chester Cooper, emphasized the national significance of this milestone:

“Reaching 12.5 million visitors is a momentous achievement for The Bahamas and a clear sign of confidence in our destination, our leadership, and our tourism strategy. Tourism remains a powerful engine of economic growth, generating jobs, investment, and opportunities for Bahamians across all our islands. While we are proud of this performance, our focus remains on maintaining responsible growth and ensuring that the benefits of tourism continue to strengthen communities throughout the country.”

Cruise tourism remained the primary driver of growth, accounting for 86.5% of total arrivals. Sea arrivals exceeded 10.6 million visitors, representing a 14% year-over-year increase and nearly double 2019 levels. Major ports recorded record volume, with continued gains in Nassau/Paradise Island and the Out Islands, supported by new cruise infrastructure and partnerships with major cruise lines.

Several islands achieved outstanding results, underscoring the breadth of tourism growth across the archipelago. Abaco recorded its highest visitor numbers ever, welcoming approximately 520,000 visitors in 2025. This milestone was driven by record sea arrivals, reflecting sustained demand for the distinctive Out Islands experiences and reinforcing the ongoing recovery and long-term tourism potential.

The resurgence of tourism on Grand Bahama in 2025 was decisively driven by expanded and sustained air travel, marking a significant turning point for the island's economy. For the first time in more than 22 years, total arrivals surpassed one million, reaching approximately 1.1 million through December. Air arrivals increased 20% year-over-year compared to 2014 and exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 30%, reflecting renewed airline confidence and a stronger overnight visitor market. This air-driven growth has directly benefited hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants, and service providers on the island, reinforcing Grand Bahama’s status as one of the fastest-growing and most compelling tourism recovery stories in The Bahamas and the wider region.

Beyond the major entry points, tourism growth continued to strengthen in the Out Islands. Eleuthera saw growth of nearly 30%, while Bimini and the Berry Islands continued to expand their roles as cruise destinations. Almost 30% of overnight visitors traveled to the Out Islands, bolstering community-based tourism and ensuring that the benefits of growth were more widely distributed throughout The Bahamas.

Air arrivals remained resilient amid global aviation restrictions and weather-related disruptions. The Bahamas welcomed nearly 1.7 million international air visitors, with a notable surge in December reflected in year-over-year growth.

The Director General of Tourism, Latia Duncombe, highlighted the strategic implications of the record-breaking performance: “Welcoming 12.5 million visitors speaks to the strength of the Bahamas brand and the clarity of our market positioning. Demand is being driven by our island offerings, strong performance across multiple travel segments, and a destination that consistently meets the expectations of today’s global traveler. This momentum reflects the effectiveness with which The Bahamas is engaging with international markets while building long-term competitiveness for the future.”

Overnight tourism demand demonstrated its quality, registering more than 1.8 million visitors during the year. Nearly two-thirds of these tourists stayed in Nassau/Paradise Island. The remaining 30% traveled to the Out Islands, providing significant support for local businesses and community-based tourism experiences throughout the archipelago.

In addition to the record visitor numbers, The Bahamas earned international recognition for its excellence in destination marketing, digital engagement, and leadership in sustainability. These awards, combined with continued private sector investment and product development, further strengthen the country's global profile and competitiveness.

The Ministry recognized the essential role of tourism stakeholders, promotion boards, cruise and airline partners, hotel operators, and small tourism businesses whose collaboration continues to underpin the industry's success.

With a firmly established global momentum and consecutive years of record-breaking growth, The Bahamas begins its next chapter in tourism leadership with clear confidence and purpose. While celebrating this remarkable achievement, the Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation remains focused on the future: advancing initiatives for sustainable tourism development, improving infrastructure, diversifying the visitor economy, and ensuring that continued growth creates lasting opportunities for Bahamians.

Source: TM Americas.