By the Caribbean Journal staff

As relief and recovery efforts continue in Grand Bahama and Abaco, Bahamas officials stressed that nearly the entirety of the country’s 700-island tourism economy was open for business.

Indeed, every airport in The Bahamas with the exception of those in Abaco and Grand Bahama have already reopened for commercial and private flights.

“All other airports throughout The Bahamas are open and operational,” the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism said in a statement this week.

The Baha Mar megaresort in Nassau is open as are all hotels and resorts in Nassau and Paradise Island.

“Now is the time to come together for our brothers and sisters in need, and help our country get back on its feet,” said Bahamas Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. “We also implore travelers to continue visiting the Bahamian islands that were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian as this will help our people tremendously.”

The airport reopenings include the country’s major hub, Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport, and airports in destinations including Bimini, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Great Harbour Cay, San Salvador, Acklins Island and others.

A map of all 14 destinations currently open for business and welcoming travelers. All of the destinations in yellow are active travel destinations.

Indeed, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism put out a map showing all of the 14 major destinations that are open and welcoming tourists already, above.

The Cove, Eleuthera.

And it also includes the vast hotel product across Nassau and the Out Islands of The Bahamas, from megaresorts like Atlantis and Baha Mar, all-inclusive hotels like the Warwick Paradise Island and Sandals Royal Bahamian to luxury hotspots in Eleuthera (like Cape Eleuthera and The Cove) and Harbour Island and lodges and boutique hotels in destinations like Cat Island and Bimini.

The Fernandez Bay Village resort in Cat Island.

Bahamas Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis stressed that returning the rest of the country’s tourism economy to normal was essential for long-term recovery of Abaco and Grand Bahama.

He urged travelers to continue booking their trips to The Bahamas and to return soon.

“One of the best ways that people from around the world can show their support and solidarity with The Bahamas at this time, is to visit our other islands by air or by cruise ship,” Bahamas Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said this week. “To keep our economy strong in order to help with recovery and reconstruction, we will need to keep our booming tourism economy vibrant.”

The all-important cruise industry in The Bahamas has also returned to normal operations, according to a statement from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.

“Fortunately, Nassau and cruise lines’ private [destinations] in The Bahamas are open, fully operational and ready to welcome guests with a smile,” the FCCA said in a statement.

And as travelers return, the Bahamas is urging everyone to continue to support ongoing relief efforts.

— CJ