Record-setting tourism numbers, focus on
sustainability, and a destination press conference
among highlights from The Bahamas at prestigious event
NASSAU,
Bahamas, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With things
looking up for tourism in The Bahamas, representatives of the country's
Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) are set to
build on their success at the 42nd edition of Caribbean
Travel Marketplace. Hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Association (CHTA) and scheduled for 20 - 23
May 2024 at the Montego Bay
Convention Centre in Jamaica, the
Caribbean's largest tourism
marketing event will offer opportunity for The Bahamas to shine as buyers and sellers of
tourism products and services from countries across the region
convening for business.
In 2023, The Bahamas saw
record-breaking tourism growth accounting for 9.6 million visitors,
up 38% from 2022. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to record 1.7
million in 2023, cruise arrivals surged 43.5% to record 7.9
million. The country's 16 islands all enjoyed significant
increases, with visits to New Providence, for instance, up 36% in
2023, to Grand Bahama up 44%, and
the Out Islands up 40%.
The Bahamas delegation has a
full agenda that will include hosting a destination press
conference at the event, scheduled for Tuesday, 21 May,
11a.m. There will be much for
Ministry representatives to reveal as The Bahamas has become a source for sustainable
tourism solutions, with much of country's tourism success stemming
from its commitment to uplifting lives, preserving environments and
sustaining the economies of communities. For example, the BMOTIA
recently unveiled new initiatives to restore and revitalise
mangrove trees that are vital to the ecological balance of the
oceans. Other tourism developments The Bahamas will be promoting at Caribbean Travel
Marketplace are:
- BMOTIA's new Incubator Centre designed to boost local
entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. Managed by the Tourism
Development Corporation at a site overlooking Nassau Harbour, the
Centre offers an affordable and attractive space for Bahamian
micro-retailers to showcase their local products.
- New cruise industry developments including a private
destination for Carnival Cruise Line at Celebration Key in
Grand Bahama Island; a second
private destination for Disney Cruise Line at Lookout Cay at
Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera; and
a new cruise port and water park on Grand
Bahama through a partnership between Royal Caribbean, MSC
Cruises and the ITM Group.
- Airline updates including American Airlines' new twice-weekly
roundtrip nonstop service between Miami and Governor's Harbour in Eleuthera, and
SouthWest new Orlando to
Nassau service which further
encourages visitors for destination exploration.
"Every year, we look forward to being a part of the Caribbean
Travel Marketplace and the opportunity it presents to grow tourism
in our country and across the Caribbean," said the Honourable I.
Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime
Minister of The Bahamas and
Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. "Our participation
is about so much more than sharing strategies that have helped The
Bahamas to break tourism records.
It is about reinvigorating connections with fellow professionals
and polishing the image of the greater Caribbean as an inviting region for travel of
all types."
For more information on recent BMOTIA tourism efforts, please
visit www.bahamas.com.
About The Bahamas:
The Bahamas has over 700 islands
and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50
miles off the coast of Florida, it
offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their
everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing,
diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most
spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to
explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on
Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.
Media Contacts:
Anita Johnson-Patty
Director Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Ajohnson@Bahamas.com
Bahamas USA
FINN Bahamas
Bahamasusa@finnpartners.com
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SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments &
Aviation