Thursday, January 4, 2024
By November 2023, The Bahamas‘ visitor count soared to 8.65M, a 41.8% rise from 2022, highlighting its global appeal and tourism growth.
By the end of November 2023, the total number of international visitors arriving by air and sea in The Bahamas reached an impressive 8.65 million, marking a significant 41.8% increase from the same period in 2022. This surge is a testament to the enduring appeal of The Bahamas as a top destination for travelers across the globe.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, I. Chester Cooper, commended this exceptional growth, pointing to the consistent rise in tourist numbers.
“Remarkably, by November 2023, we’ve seen 1.56 million air arrivals, surpassing the figures for both 2022 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019, with a notable increase of 18.6% from 2022,” Cooper stated.
Moreover, the sea arrivals up to November 2023 stood at nearly 6.94 million, indicating a significant 49.1% jump from 2022 and a 42.4% increase from 2019.
Cooper observed, “This boost in sea arrivals highlights the magnetic charm of our stunning islands, attracting a global audience.”
It’s noteworthy that all Bahamian islands, including Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, and The Family Islands, have seen unprecedented growth in international air and sea arrivals in the first eleven months of 2023. Bimini, in particular, led the growth among The Family Islands, with a 110% increase from 2022 and an astounding 925% rise from 2019.
In terms of air arrivals alone, Grand Bahama Island recorded the highest year-over-year growth, surpassing 2022 figures by 38%. This was followed by growth in Abaco, Nassau/Paradise Island, Bimini, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, and Long Island, in that order.
Post-Hurricane Dorian, Grand Bahama’s overall tourist numbers exceeded those of 2019 by 3% and 2022 by 53%, while Abaco showed a 6% increase from 2019 and 27% from 2022.
In the hotel sector, major hotels in New Providence/Paradise Island experienced a surge in November 2023, with international air arrivals beating the historic 2019 figures by 17% for that month.
These hotels enjoyed a 70.6% occupancy rate, outdoing the 68.8% rate in November 2022. The Average Daily Room Rates increased by 16.7%, with revenue per available room climbing by 20%, leading to a notable 16.8% rise in room revenue for the month.
Reflecting on visitor demographics, Cooper noted, “Up to November 2023, 35.8% of our visitors, hailing from regions worldwide, returned to relish the unique charm of our islands, highlighting the spirit of repeat visits. Major source markets including Africa, Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, Australasia, Europe, and Latin America showed strong repeat visitation rates, underscoring The Bahamas’ lasting appeal.”
During this period, 62.5% of overnight visitors chose The Bahamas primarily for leisure, 16.9% for weddings and honeymoons, 5.7% for casino experiences, and 3.5% for business.
Cooper added, “The variety in visitors’ interests and reasons for travel reflects the diverse appeal of our islands, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences.”
“The Bahamas is at the zenith of its tourism success, driven by a commitment to excellence, a rich variety of offerings, and heartfelt hospitality that attracts visitors from every part of the world. As 2023 comes to a close, we anticipate surpassing the 9 million visitor milestone, once December’s figures are included. These remarkable numbers are a clear indicator of our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional experiences, ensuring The Bahamas remains a top choice for discerning global travelers.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
