NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total foreign air and sea arrivals to The Bahamas from January to September 2024 reached 8.4 million, according to Tourism Director General Latia Duncombe.
Duncombe, who provided the data during a presentation at the Cat Island Business Outlook, noted that foreign air arrivals up to September totaled 1.3 million, while sea arrivals reached 7.1 million.
“We have seen almost double growth in Cat Island, and that’s amazing, and it’s through all our efforts. It’s not just the ministry; it’s the people delivering on the experience. People want to experience the authenticity of Cat Island,” she noted. Cat Island has 13 small hotels and 142 total rooms, while San Salvador has 3 small hotels, one large hotel, and 294 total rooms. San Salvador had 16,600 visitors in 2023.
Prime Minister Philip Davis highlighted that last year, the combined GDP of Cat Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador totaled more than $58 million—a 16 percent increase compared to the previous year—and nearly double the $34 million recorded in 2021.
“Year by year, we are establishing a clear upward trajectory,” he noted. He added: “Last year, Cat Island experienced the highest number of foreign air arrivals since 2008. In San Salvador, we are close to achieving full employment. In fact, San Salvador experienced 16,000 arrivals in 2023, four times higher than the year prior, and the highest since 2019. In 2024, we are seeing similar success. This is a strong start, but it’s just the beginning.”
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