National

Tourism Arrivals Hit All-Time High In 2025

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – For the third consecutive year, tourism in The Bahamas has delivered record-level performance, according to new figures laid in the House of Assembly.

Published

3 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Kendeno Knowles

NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS – For the third consecutive year, tourism in The Bahamas has delivered record-level performance, according to new figures laid in the House of Assembly.

“In 2025, The Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented twelve point five million visitors, the highest total arrivals ever recorded.” – Tourism Minister Chester Cooper

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Investments Chester Cooper says his ministry’s data shows that growth was not isolated to a single segment of the industry, but spanned both sea and air arrivals, driven by what he says was strong cruise demand, improved port operations and new infrastructure coming on stream across multiple destinations.

“Visitor arrivals grew eleven point four percent year over year, surpassing twenty twenty-four’s record and exceeding our pre-pandemic twenty nineteen levels by more than seventy-two percent.”

In his communication to the House of Assembly Wednesday, Cooper argued that the significance of the numbers goes beyond tourism statistics, saying the impact is being felt in everyday economic activity across the country.

“While some might seek to downplay the impact of these arrivals, Madam Speaker, they represent jobs and salaries, shifts being filled, inventory purchased, tours booked, taxis running, restaurants busy, marinas active, straw vendors selling, small hotels and Airbnb hosts earning, and Bahamian families feeling the difference across our islands.”

Cruise tourism remained the industry’s main volume driver, with the minister crediting years of partnerships with cruise lines, along with operational and port improvements made across The Bahamas.

“Air arrivals, for their part, were resilient amid disruptions, with nearly one point seven million foreign air visitors. But we note late year positive momentum, including year over year growth in the month of December, with one point one percent year over year.”

To put those figures in context, the minister noted that stopover arrivals in 2025 still remained above pre-pandemic levels, signaling a measure of stability, even amid ongoing pressures.

Looking ahead, Cooper says the focus now, sustaining growth responsibly, with support for short-term rentals, major tourism investments in the pipeline and continued efforts to improve quality and infrastructure, so that tourism benefits reach more Bahamians.

“Reaching twelve point five million visitors is a defining national achievement, and we will not take it for granted. We will celebrate it.”