The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investment and Aviation recently announced that the destination will see an all-time high of 11.22 million international visitors in 2024, marking its best year ever and surpassing the 9.65 million arrivals recorded in 2023.
Despite some disruptions to the tourism sector caused by natural phenomena such as Hurricanes Milton and Oscar, the destination showed solid growth. International arrivals by air and sea exceeded the previous year’s figure by 16.2% and 2019 figures by 54.7%. In addition, international air arrivals surpassed 1.7 million visitors, remaining in line with 2023 results but ahead of 2019 by 3.3%.
While The Bahamas is an ideal travel destination year-round, December 2024 emerged as the country’s best month for tourism, with 1.15 million visitors, up 14% from 2023 and 62% from 2019.
The surge in tourist arrivals has also benefited several islands within the archipelago. Grand Bahama Island saw 8.7% growth in air arrivals, second only to Abaco, with 11.9% growth over 2023, reflecting a strong recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investment and Aviation, expressed his satisfaction with these achievements. “The Bahamas has not only exceeded its goals, but continues to establish itself as a global leader in the tourism industry and a dominant presence in the Caribbean region. “These record-breaking achievements are a powerful testament to the Ministry of Tourism’s tourism marketing advancements and the caring dedication of our partners across the destination, who, together with our passionate locals, continue to deliver unparalleled experiences across our beautiful and culturally rich islands.”
The cruise industry remains a vital pillar of The Bahamas’ economy, generating a remarkable $654.8 million in tourism spending during the 2023/2024 cruise season, according to a report by the Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). Adding in employment, taxes and levies, the total economic impact exceeds a staggering $1 billion, underscoring the sector’s vital contribution to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
Additionally, over the past two years, The Bahamas has attracted over $10 billion in Foreign Direct Investment, with prestigious hotel brands such as Rosewood, Six Senses, Montage, Park Hyatt, Bvglari and Four Seasons Residences strengthening the destination’s positioning and brand image in the luxury market by 2024.
“We thank our partners and stakeholders from various sectors, the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and the great people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for this wonderful achievement, who have embraced the mantra that ‘Tourism is Everyone’s Business,’” added DPM Cooper.
Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism, said: “The exceptional growth of tourism in The Bahamas reflects our relentless drive to elevate the visitor experience and expand our global reach. These milestones are the result of innovative marketing strategies, strong industry partnerships and the unwavering hospitality of the Bahamian people. Building on this momentum, we remain committed to setting new standards of tourism excellence and welcoming even more travelers to our extraordinary islands.”
Source: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.