The Bahamas Records Historic 12.5Mn Visitors in 2025

• The Bahamas has set a new all-time tourism record, welcoming an unprecedented 12.5Mn visitors, according to figures released Wednesday by the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.
• The milestone marks the highest number of visitors ever recorded by the country and cements The Bahamas’ position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Visitor arrivals increased 11.4% year-over-year, surpassing 2024’s previous record and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 70.0%, reflecting sustained global demand and continued growth across multiple markets.
• Cruise tourism remained the primary driver of growth, accounting for 86.5% of total arrivals. Sea arrivals surpassed 10.6 Mn visitors, a 14.0% increase compared to 2024 and nearly double 2019 levels. Major ports, including Nassau/Paradise Island, experienced record throughput, supported by new cruise infrastructure and expanded partnerships with cruise lines.
• Grand Bahama experienced a major tourism resurgence, with total arrivals exceeding one million for the first time in more than two decades. Approximately 1.1Mn visitors arrived through December, fueled by expanded and sustained airlift. Air arrivals rose 20.0% year-over-year and exceeded 2019 levels by more than 30.0%, benefiting hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants and local service providers.
• Tourism growth also continued to diversify across the Family Islands. Eleuthera recorded nearly 30.0% growth, while Bimini and the Berry Islands strengthened their roles as cruise destinations. The Out Islands also continued to see gains. Nearly 30.0% of stopover visitors traveled to the Out Islands, helping spread tourism benefits more evenly across the archipelago.
• Air arrivals remained resilient despite global aviation constraints and weather disruptions. Nearly 1.7Mn foreign air visitors traveled to The Bahamas, with strong late-year momentum. Canada emerged as a key growth market, with stopover arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic levels following expanded air service and strengthened airline partnerships. Stopover tourism remained strong, with more than 1.8Mn stopover visitors recorded during the year. About two-thirds stayed in Nassau/Paradise Island, while nearly 30.0% visited the Out Islands, supporting local businesses and community-based tourism.
• As the country builds on consecutive record-breaking years, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation said it remains focused on sustainable development, infrastructure expansion, and ensuring that continued tourism growth delivers lasting economic benefits for Bahamians nationwide. With consecutive record-breaking years and strong global demand, the Bahamas enters its next phase with confidence, positioning itself not only as a high-volume cruise hub but also as a growing multi-island destination for longer stays and repeat visitors.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)