THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS & AVIATION EMBRACES ‘TOURISM AND PEACE’ FOR WORLD TOURISM DAY 2024

The leadership behind the destination marketing and management efforts that have built The Islands of The Bahamas into a pacesetter of sustainable tourism in the Caribbean is embracing the theme of “Tourism and Peace” from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in celebration of World Tourism Day, September 27, 2024.

Reflecting upon the many ways that tourism brings people together, the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation for The Bahamas, observed: “We are fortunate to live in one of the most remarkable nations, where the beauty of our environment is truly exceptional. The growth of our tourism sector is a shared responsibility for all Bahamians, much like the pride we collectively feel in celebrating our nation’s accomplishments. Together, we build on our progress and embrace the rewards it brings. We have deployed aggressive strategies to grow our industry over the past several years. I thank Team Tourism globally for executing the challenge.”

While 2024 is far from over, tourism statistics for The Bahamas for the year thus far are looking good. Preliminary data from the Ministry of Tourism indicate arrivals via sea were up 19% during the first 8 months of the year compared to the same period in 2023, and arrivals via air were up 2.1% in the same period.   Additional factors keeping the island nation on top in tourism include:

  • Over the past seven decades, The Bahamas has capitalized on its natural beauty to build a world-class tourism destination that welcomed close to 10 million visitors in 2023. Tourism is now the bedrock of the country’s economy, with income generated by the industry going to build vital infrastructure including roads, schools and hospitals, and providing the standard of living the local population enjoys today.

  • From hoteliers and tour operators to employees on the front lines and in the back of the house, stakeholders across the tourism industry in The Bahamas are dedicated to making the island nation a thoroughly satisfying, memorable, and sustainable destination for travel. This is evidenced by recent honors bestowed upon The Bahamas, including the Caribbean Destination Resilience Award from the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST); as well as the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island Destination 2024 and the Caribbean’s Leading Sports Tourism Destination 2024, both from the World Travel Awards.

  • While The Bahamas is known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife, the country has a heightened focus on showcasing cultural heritage which, as travelers quickly discover, includes local cuisine, music, dance, folklore, artisanal crafts, and more. Latia Duncombe, Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, remarked on the growing global recognition of Bahamian culture, stating: "Our culture and talent have always set us apart, but now the world is truly taking notice. Bahamians are sharing their unique gifts with the world, captivating audiences both at home and abroad."

Media Contacts:

Danielle Bodie
Domestic Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
dbodie@bahamas.com