National

Grand Bahama Crosses One Million Visitors In 2025

GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS – “For the first time in more than twenty-two years, Grand Bahama arrivals have eclipsed one million arrivals, reaching one point one million at the end of December twenty twenty-five.” – Tourism Minister Chester Cooper

Published

2 months ago

January 28, 2026

Megan Shepherd

GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS – Grand Bahama is now front and center in the country’s tourism story.

“For the first time in more than twenty-two years, Grand Bahama arrivals have eclipsed one million arrivals, reaching one point one million at the end of December twenty twenty-five.” – Tourism Minister Chester Cooper

The milestone comes after years of investment and recovery and represents more than just a strong year on paper.

Cooper says for local businesses, tour operators and service workers, it means more consistent activity and a busier tourism economy throughout the year.

“Air arrivals to Grand Bahama were also up twenty percent in twenty twenty-five compared to twenty twenty-four and more than thirty percent over pre-pandemic levels of twenty nineteen.”

In his communication Wednesday, Cooper told parliament a key driver of Grand Bahama’s resurgence has been the rapid expansion of sea traffic.

Opening the island to the volume of visitors not seen since before the pandemic.

“Sea arrivals have exploded in Grand Bahama with the opening of Celebration Key, with more than ninety percent increase in twenty twenty-five compared to twenty twenty-four.”

But Cooper says Grand Bahama’s performance did not happen by chance.

It was the result of what he says was a targeted strategy, improved access and new infrastructure designed to bring visitors directly into the local economy.

“Madam Speaker, this is precisely why I say to this honourable house that Grand Bahama is now the fastest growing tourism destination in the Bahamas.”

And while Grand Bahama led the charge, it was not alone.

Other family islands also saw strong tourism activity, suggesting visitors are increasingly looking beyond new providence for their Bahamas experience.

“Abaco delivered a standout performance, recording its highest total visitor arrivals on record at just south of five hundred and twenty thousand visitors in twenty twenty-five.”

Cooper says these results confirm a broader shift.

“Our overall positive performance in the family islands demonstrates a simple truth… when we invest in product, when we have access and partnerships, visitors do not only come to Nassau, but they also travel across the Islands of The Bahamas.”