NASSAU, Bahamas — Baha Mar delivered a record-breaking during the first quarter of the year, posting strong gains across key performance indicators, including a 14 percent year-over-year increase in RevPAR and occupancy reaching 94 percent in March, one of the highest levels since the resort opened, according to President Graeme Davis.
“It’s been a fantastic first quarter here, 2026. I’ll say that we’ve hit record numbers to report, particularly in RevPAR,” Davis said while addressing The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Board of Director’s meeting Thursday.
He said average daily rates were the primary driver of performance gains, supported by strong demand across all segments.
“We’re a 14 percent increase in RevPAR year over year, and we’ve been hitting March one of our highest occupancy in the history of our property opening, 94 percent. Average rates are really what’s doing quite well, and we’re seeing that across the board.”
Davis pointed to a combination of global and regional factors contributing to the surge in demand, including increased Canadian airlift and shifts in competitor destinations.
“I think there’s a lot of extra factors that are supporting this. Of course, the increased airlift from Canada is very supportive — what’s going on in Mexico, what’s going on in Jamaica, what’s happening in the Middle East. We’ve got some perfect storms around the world that are certainly supporting the Bahamas as the best place to come to.”
He said the strong momentum is expected to continue into the second quarter, with group bookings also performing ahead of expectations.
“We’ve had a fantastic first quarter. Our pace going forward for Q2 looks very strong. Group numbers are looking good as well for Q2. A little early to talk about the rest of the year, but we’re certainly forecasting some strong numbers for the remainder of the year as well. We have some good group business planned as well for Q3 and into Q4.”
Atlantis is also reporting a strong start to the year, with performance ahead of both budget and prior-year results across all major operating segments, according to Jackson Weech, Vice President and General Manager of The Royal Towers and President of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).
“Certainly in respect to Q1, we evidence a very strong performance in both terms of occupancies on ADR,” Weech said.
He noted that all towers within the resort exceeded budget expectations and outperformed the same period in 2025.
“All of our towers succeeded in budgeted economic performance for the noted period, and we surpassed 2025 results for the same time frame.”
Weech said performance was driven by strong group business and an improved casino segment, alongside solid contributions from food and beverage and retail operations.
He said the second quarter is also expected to remain strong, although early indicators suggest a shift in booking behavior.
“Q2, certainly at this stage is similarly poised, and it’s our expectation that it will continue to be equally strong.”
Weech highlighted continued strength in the Canadian market, linking it to improved airlift and targeted promotional efforts.
“I think it’s important to note, and you would have alluded to it, ours has been a similar story in respect of the Canadian market, a very favorable uptick there. Certainly there’s a direct correlation between that, the efforts of the various promotion boards and the ministry in terms of the additional airlift that’s coming out of that market.”
However, he said booking patterns for Q3 indicate a shorter booking window, likely influenced by external uncertainty.
“What we’ve evidenced so far in respect of, as we look out to Q3, there’s certainly a shortening of the booking window, as it were. We suspect that there’s a direct correlation between that and some of the uncertainties that exist on the outside in a geopolitical sense.”
Despite that caution, Atlantis is maintaining a positive outlook for the year, supported by strong Q1 and Q2 momentum.
“Very, very good picture thus far, Q1, Q2, and certainly it continues to look good.”
Weech also highlighted a successful events calendar, including the resort’s annual culinary festival.
“We also, over the course of Q1, was able to successfully stage our fourth annual wine and food festival that was oversubscribed. We’re very, very much happy with the outcome there, very, very favorable reviews, and it was highly successful.”
He added that Atlantis is moving forward with major capital investment projects aimed at enhancing its luxury positioning.
“We’ve also announced for the spring of this year a complete renovation of our Cove property. That project will encompass all six of our suites being completely redone, the pool, public spaces, dining venues, and all guest amenities.”
“In addition, we’re proud to announce as well that work has begun in respect of Creed and Lalique boutiques that will open towards the beginning of the summer.”
Weech said while the outlook remains broadly positive, the resort is monitoring external risks closely.
“Generally, we remain very, very bullish in respect of what Q3 is going to be, and then a little bit guarded in respect of taking into consideration so many factors that are outside of our control.”
