International

Tourism Minister Says GB Projects Are Still In Play

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Nine years after Hurricane Matthew crippled Grand Bahama’s tourism, recovery is still underway. Tourism Minister Chester Cooper points to growth and the $750M Carnival project, but delays with the airport deal and the Grand Lucayan sale remain key hurdles.

Published

6 months ago

October 6, 2025

Jerome Sawyer

OTTAWA, CANADA – Today marks nine years since the passage of Hurricane Matthew. In many ways, it was a death knell for Grand Bahama’s tourism industry.

The storm shut down the majority of operations at the Grand Lucayan Resort, which was at the time a showpiece of the island’s tourism industry.

The state of the island, the hotel, and the airport were raised with the tourism minister today, as he prepared to kick off a major tourism initiative across three cities in Canada.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism Investments & Aviation

“Grand Bahama has been a challenging market for tourism.”

And in the 9 years since Hurricane Matthew… other storms, including monster storm Dorian, have left Grand Bahama’s tourism product struggling on life support.

This week’s mission to Canada is part of the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to put more heads in beds, in all destinations, including Grand Bahama.

Tourism Minister Chester Cooper believes it’s paying off, in what he describes as significant and steady growth in the 4 years of his administration – starting with the 750 million dollar carinval celebration key.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism Investments & Aviation

“The model, over time I hope, will adjust to ensure we are getting more of the guests from outside of celebration key, into the Grand Bahama community. We are talking with Carnival to see how we can make that happen.”

It’s in response to criticism; there’s still not enough trickle-down business from the new port to the community.

And where better to tell that story than to a room full of travel partners like those expected at the ministry’s Canada missions this week.

But there are other high hurdles for Cooper and his government, including recent reports of the stalled deal for the new Grand Bahama airport.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism Investments & Aviation

“Manchester airport group is still in play, the Bahamian consortium on contractors, etc – still in play, and very shortly we will be announcing a new funding partner. The reality is over the course of this week, as early as tomorrow, we anticipate executing that agreement.”

And.. there’s also the weight of the pressure for answers on the Grand Lucayan deal, months after the announcement of a buyer for the hotel, once the showpiece of the island’s tourism

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism Investments & Aviation

“Hopefully, the prime minister will speak more to the Grand Lucayan Resort soon. Parliament is in session this week. i believe the office of the prime minister indicated this week that there would be a communication to parliament.”