NASSAU, Bahamas — Tourism was yesterday said to be “bouncing back with a vengeance” with 13,000 cruise visitors expected in the week before Independence and Nassau’s mega resorts reporting occupancies of up to 90 percent, The Tribune reported on Monday, June 28, in an article written by Business Editor Neil Hartnell.
Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business that “we’re bringing tourism back” as the relaxation of international travel restrictions and the continued roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations – especially in key visitor source markets – gave persons increasing confidence to again vacation abroad.
Describing The Bahamas as “a destination of choice” for Americans who have been emboldened to travel, Mr D’Aguilar revealed he had been informed by senior executives at the Atlantis and Baha Mar resorts that they had enjoyed weekend occupancy rates of 90 percent and 75 percent, respectively.
While in Atlantis’ case that may have applied only to the portions of the property that are currently open, he added that this represented a further sign that The Bahamas’ largest industry – and its key employment and foreign currency earnings driver – is now “bouncing back” rapidly following last year’s lockdowns and health restrictions.
And he was backed by Michael Maura, Nassau Cruise Port’s chief executive, who told this newspaper that 14 cruise ships carrying a combined 13,000 passengers are expected to call in the Bahamian capital between July 2 and July 10 – a period that covers both US and Bahamian independence days and their respective celebrations.
Disclosing that some vessels will be making multiple calls during that period, Mr Maura said that besides the two home porting vessels – the Crystal Serenity and Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas – others arriving in Nassau include other Royal Caribbean ships resuming sailing from south Florida as well as two Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) vessels.
Revealing that Virgin Cruise Lines has committed to starting calls on Nassau towards the end of the 2021 third quarter, while Disney and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) are due to return in August and September respectively, the Nassau Cruise Port chief also revealed that cruise passengers disembarking next week will not be restricted to a “bubble experience” while in Nassau.
It had been anticipated that, on the cruise industry’s return, passengers would be restricted to rigidly-controlled tours and activities where every aspect of the guest experience would be managed as a means to prevent COVID-19 infections and spread.
However, Mr Maura said passengers will now be free to roam and explore at will. And he disclosed that Nassau Cruise Port had agreed with tour operators that, once their excursions were completed, passengers will be dropped off in Rawson Square — rather than taken directly back to the boat — so that they can sample Bay Street and benefit local merchants and vendors. See complete article in The Tribune at http://www.tribune242.com/photos/2021/mar/24/71524/
