Following an impressive surge in arrivals in 2021, tourism officials in the Bahamas are optimistic about an especially strong 2022.
The destination is making news in a variety of ways, thanks to new developments such as increased air service, plans for a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Eleuthera and a Margaritaville at Sea sailing that’s scheduled to depart from Palm Beach, Fla., for Grand Bahama Island in April.
To get the inside scoop on what to expect in the coming months, we spoke with I. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation for the Bahamas.
How would you describe tourism recovery in the Bahamas?
Our goal is to get our economy back to pre-pandemic numbers, and we will continue to do everything in our power to refuel the tourism economy, while also ensuring we’re keeping the safety of our residents and visitors at the forefront.
Travelers are also seeking experiences that allow them to deep dive into a destination’s culture and history, so tapping into adventurers, solo travelers and small group travel is a focus for us. Boating and fishing, as well as romance travelers are also key verticals that we’re continuing to see trend upward.
In November 2021 alone, the Bahamas registered an overall visitor count of 383,700, a number that’s inclusive of both air and cruise arrivals. That figure represents an increase of over 1,000% relative to November 2020. We also welcomed more than 802,500 stopover visitors between January and November 2021, up more than 84% compared to the same period in 2020, showing strong signs of traveler confidence and optimism.
How have your pandemic protocols and entry requirements evolved for 2022?
As the pandemic evolves, so do our protocols and safety measures. We work around the clock to analyze and assess what’s working, and what will maximize the safety of our residents and visitors.
I. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation for the Bahamas
Credit: 2022 Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
As of early January 2022, we’ve implemented an extra layer of safety by tightening the testing window for all persons entering the Bahamas to 72 hours and now require all persons staying longer than 48 hours to take a rapid antigen test.
What do you think will drive tourism growth this year?
In addition to travelers having greater access to vaccines and the groundswell of demand to escape to a tropical destination, there are several other factors contributing to the growth our destination is experiencing.
We’ve seen major hotels introduce world-class amenities, increased airlift across the U.S. and the return of major events. There are also a number of resorts re-opening their doors in early 2022, including The Cove, Eleuthera and Sandals Royal Bahamian.
Is airlift growing in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas is continuing to see airlift reflect rising travel demand, with increased airlift across top airlines and markets. Miami/Ft. Lauderdale [and] West Palm Beach, Fla.; Atlanta; Houston; and Dallas, as well as the East Coast (including Washington, D.C., Boston and Philadelphia), were markets that impacted the Bahamas’ positive arrival statistics and we don’t see that slowing down as we continue through 2022.
What types of travelers and niches do you think will be the biggest sellers this year?
As the pandemic evolved, we noticed a trend of consumers looking to travel to a destination to heal from the upheaval and uncertainty of these times. Whether it’s getting off the beaten path or simply relaxing by the beach, travelers are seeking experiences that will heal them from the rough couple of years the world has gone through. The Bahamas’ 16 unique islands are positioned to do just that.
Our goal is to get our economy back to pre-pandemic numbers, and we will continue to do everything in our power to refuel the tourism economy, while also ensuring we’re keeping the safety of our residents and visitors at the forefront.
Travelers are also seeking experiences that allow them to deep dive into a destination’s culture and history, so tapping into adventurers, solo travelers and small group travel is a focus for us. Boating and fishing, as well as romance travelers, are also key verticals that we’re continuing to see trend upward.
How are you working with travel advisors to help them sell more?
Our travel advisors are a core part of the tourism industry in the Bahamas; therefore [they] are key for direct-to-consumer vacation planning. We ensure our travel agents are continuously receiving necessary training to keep them up to date on the latest and greatest on the destination, from virtual expos to small in-person events.
The Bahamas is seeing increased airlift this year.
Credit: 2022 Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Our goal is to ensure our travel advisors are not only able to inform travelers of our product throughout the Bahamas, but [also] have a deeper understanding of what makes the Bahamas such a unique Caribbean destination.
What are your growth predictions for 2022?
Tourism is the lifeblood of the Bahamas’ economy, and prior to COVID-19, [it] was enjoying historic rates of success. The work of economic recovery in the wake of a pandemic is not a task any developing nation can tackle alone. We are seeking partners to rebuild a better, stronger Bahamas, a destination where international investors will find conditions that are conducive to achieving a return of investment in the short to medium term.
It’s difficult to predict growth in this ever-evolving climate, but if we continue on the same path that we’re on, I’m confident that we’re going to be well on our way to reinvigorating the tourism economy that’s the heart of our country.
The Details
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
