The Bahamas tourism sector is experiencing exceptional growth across its islands, with 2024 having unprecedented success for tourism and cruise arrivals.
At a recent industry briefing at Miami’s Seatrade Cruise Global, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Chester Cooper shared the good news with travel partners.
“You would know already that 2024 has been the best year ever in tourism in The Bahamas. In terms of arrivals, you would know that it’s been the best year ever in terms of cruise arrivals in The Bahamas,” said Cooper, noting that investor confidence is at an all-time high.
The numbers are impressive, with the Bahamas welcoming 11.2 million visitors in 2024, representing a 17 percent increase over 2023. Cooper highlighted that “the cruise industry contributed an impressive $1 billion in direct cruise expenditure” plus additional benefits through salaries, jobs, businesses and taxes.
The growth is even more remarkable compared to pre-pandemic figures. “We have increased our overall arrivals in 2024 in the cruise sector by 55 percent,” Cooper stated, adding that “In January this year alone, there were nearly 1 million cruise arrivals.”