The Bahamas shatters tourism records with visitor arrivals in 2023 | Loop Caribbean

The Bahamas has announced record-breaking visitor arrivals for 2023, which exceeded the forecasted projections. The nation welcomed a total of 9,654,838 visitors in 2023, marking a historic milestone in its journey as a leading global tourism destination. 

This figure represents a 38 per cent increase over 2022 and a 33 per cent increase compared to the previous 2019 record. 

The 2023 result reveals a remarkable 17 per cent percent increase in foreign air arrivals, totalling 1,719,980 visitors, compared to 1,470,244 in 2022.  

The Ministry of Tourism says this significant growth underscores the increasing appeal of The Bahamas as a premier air travel destination. 

Sea arrivals also saw an unprecedented surge, with 7,934,858 visitors in 2023, up 43.5 per cent from the 5,530,462 who visited by sea the previous year. 
 
The distribution of visitors across the 16-island destinations further illustrated the widespread appeal of The Bahamas. New Providence attracted 4,441,540 visitors, up 36 per cent, compared to 2022, Grand Bahama welcomed 559,812 visitors, marking a 44 per cent increase and The Family Islands saw an impressive 40 per cent rise, with 4,653,486 visitors arriving by sea and air. 

Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, expressed his elation over these achievements. 

“The Bahamas has not only surpassed its targets but has set new benchmarks in the tourism industry. These figures are a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our tourism sector, the irresistible charm of our islands and the friendliness of our people,” said Cooper. 

Meanwhile, Latia Duncombe, Director General of Tourism added, “As The Bahamas continues to welcome visitors with open arms, we look forward to building on this momentum. With our commitment to excellence and innovation in the tourism sector, The Bahamas is poised for even greater success in the years to come.”