“Impressive” Growth for Bahamas Cruise Industry, As Tourism Surge Continues
It’s the powerhouse of Caribbean cruising, and The Bahamas continues to see renewed growth in the cruise industry.
Last year, The Bahamas’ Nassau Cruise Port (the most-visited cruise port in the region) broke its all-time record, helping to contribute to a total of 11.22 million international visitors to the country last year.
The broader cruise industry remains a major pillar of The Bahamas, contributing nearly $655 million in cruise tourism spending during the past cruise season. When you factor in employment, taxes and other levies, that adds up to a more than $1 billion economic impact for The Bahamas.
Nassau is often the first port of call for cruise ships heading out of South Florida to the Caribbean.
“The impressive growth in visitor numbers to The Bahamas not only reflects the increasing appeal of our destination on the global stage but is also a clear testament to the success of our collective efforts in crafting a tourism product that truly resonates with travelers,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.
The Bahamas is continuing its cruise push at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach next week, the region’s most important gathering, one that brings together more than 10,000 attendees including more than 80 different cruise line brands.
Seatrade is a “ivotal event for the cruise industry, bringing together leaders and visionaries from around the world to shape the future of cruising. The Bahamas’ presence at this prestigious conference underscores our commitment to enhancing the cruise tourism experience, creating and strengthening partnerships, driving investment and further elevates our country’s innovation in serving the cruise industry and its vast passenger market.,” said Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Chester Cooper.
The Bahamas’ overarching goal, he said in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal, is to “ensure continued growth and success in the years ahead as the industry makes giant steps forward in cruise product offerings for our part of the world.”
The Bahamas will soon welcome the year’s most-anticipated new ship, MSC World America, which will be heading to the country as part of its inaugural cruise next week.
“As we engage with key players in the cruising industry at Seatrade Cruise Global, we are excited to showcase the exciting developments and innovations we have in store. Our commitment to enhancing and expanding our tourism offerings remains unwavering, and we are eager to continue building a dynamic and sustainable future for The Bahamas,” Duncombe said.
