GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, Sept. 2, 2024 – A dynamic week of discussions, insights and networking began today as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), got under at The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa. The conference will close on Friday, September 6.
Themed “Caribbean Tourism: Fueling our Lifeblood”, SOTIC 2024, hosted by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Ministry of Tourism and Ports, will delve into the critical issues shaping the region’s tourism landscape and explore innovative strategies for sustainable growth.
The conference program includes keynote presentations, panel discussions and networking events. Headline speakers include Anton Edmunds, General Manager, Country Department Caribbean Group at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Janelle Hopkin, President and Managing Director of the renowned Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada.
Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and Director General of BMOTIA Latia Duncombe are participating in the conference, and with The Bahamas having surpassed all tourism performance forecasts for 2023 and poised to set new records for 2024, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) will provide an update on this and other touristic achievements.
The Bahamas continues to experience a significant surge in visitor arrivals, encompassing both cruise and land-based stays, highlighting a vibrant growth trajectory and reinforcing the island nation’s status as a leading global travel destination.
“To drive continued growth in both new and repeat visits, we have implemented a strategy tailored to the evolving expectations of today’s travelers,” Minister Cooper said. “Apart from the recent launch of direct flights from major markets across the U.S. to not only Nassau but across the destination, the continued expansion of our cruise ports and the beautification of downtown, among other strategic developments, all solidify The Bahamas’ place as a leading tourist destination.”
BMOTIA Director General Duncombe added, “Our success is built on a foundation of innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment to continually enhancing our diverse tourism offerings, ensuring that visitors are eager to return. As we continue to break records and set new standards, we are not only responding to the needs of today’s travelers but also shaping the future of tourism in The Bahamas. SOTIC provides an invaluable platform for sharing insights, forging partnerships, and driving the regional strategies that will ensure our continued success in a competitive global market.”
In 2023, The Bahamas saw record-breaking tourism growth welcoming nearly 10 million visitors. This historic milestone represented a 38% jump from 2022 and 33% increase compared to 2019. While foreign air arrivals rose 17% to a record 1.7 million in 2023, sea arrivals that year surged 43.5% to a record 7.9 million. This upward trend has continued into 2024, with a notable 14% increase in foreign air and sea arrivals from January to June compared to the same period in 2023, translating to more than 5.7 million visitors in six months. This exceptional performance highlights a promising lineup of new developments on the horizon, including:
- Carnival Cruise Line at Celebration Key in Grand Bahama Island, which will introduce Pearl Cove Beach Club, an adults-only area on the island, slated to open in July 2025
- Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and the ITM Group are partnering to develop a new cruise port and water park on Grand Bahama Island
- Major air support from leading carriers including Delta, American, Southwest, and regional carriers such as Tradewind, Tropic Airways, Makers Air and more, have added new flights from New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, Charlotte, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Dallas to name a few, in support of the upcoming holiday and winter season
- Luxury resorts continue to add to the mix of accommodations options across the destination: Four Seasons branded condo-hotel is coming to Paradise Island, Six Senses Grand Bahama is slated for 2026, Rosewood Exuma is expected in 2028, and one of Eleuthera’s most iconic hotels, the Potlatch Club, has just reopened its doors.
