The Bahamas has achieved a historic milestone in tourism, welcoming a record number of visitors in 2023. The Caribbean nation saw an astonishing 9,654,838 tourists, surpassing its previous records and exceeding expectations. The figure marks a significant 38% increase from 2022 and a 33% rise compared to the record set in 2019.
Record-Breaking Tourism Year for the Bahamas in 2023
The surge in tourism was led by a remarkable 17% increase in air arrivals, with 1,719,980 foreign visitors flying into the Bahamas. This growth highlights the country's growing popularity as a top air travel destination. Additionally, sea arrivals reached an all-time high of 7,934,858, up by 43.5% from the previous year.
The distribution of tourists across the Bahamas' 16 islands demonstrates the widespread appeal of the destination. According to Breaking News Travel, New Providence, home to the capital city Nassau, attracted 4,441,540 visitors, showing a 36% increase compared to 2022. Grand Bahama Island welcomed 559,812 tourists, registering a 44% increase. The Family Islands, known for their natural beauty and tranquility, saw a 40% rise in visitors, with 4,653,486 tourists arriving both by sea and air.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, expressed great pride in these achievements. He attributed this success to the hard work of those in the tourism sector, the captivating charm of the islands, and the warm hospitality of the Bahamian people.
Director General of Tourism, Mrs. Latia Duncombe, echoed these sentiments. She emphasized the Bahamas' commitment to excellence and innovation in tourism and expressed optimism for continued growth and success in the coming years.
This record-breaking year solidifies the Bahamas' position as a premier destination for travelers seeking unique experiences, natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. The country's tourism sector looks forward to building on this momentum, attracting even more visitors to its shores in the future.
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US Warns Against Travel to Bahamas Amid Safety Concerns
The United States has issued travel warnings for the Bahamas due to increasing safety concerns.
The New York Post reported that the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas has alerted tourists about the risk of visiting the island nation following 18 murders in January, mainly linked to gang violence. This has led to a security warning and a travel advisory, suggesting that the Bahamas is currently unsafe for tourists.
Despite these warnings, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMT) urges tourists to keep visiting. They argue that these warnings do not reflect the overall safety in the Bahamas, which comprises multiple tourist destinations and islands. The BMT emphasized that the Bahamas welcomed over 9 million visitors last year and is actively working to improve safety. They are implementing a comprehensive crime reduction strategy, focusing on prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation.
Similarly, the US Embassy in Jamaica has issued a Level 3 travel advisory, advising tourists to reconsider travel to the country. Despite this, the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has assured that the crime rate involving visitors is extremely low at 0.01%. They noted that the high-risk areas for crime are well-defined and do not impact most of the island's tourist locations.
Read Also: Bahamas Tourism Office 'Extremely Disappointed' Over Fyre Festival Disaster
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