NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Thanksgiving occupancies for Nassau/Paradise Island hotels are expected to “mirror” 2023 levels, according to Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) President Robert “Sandy” Sands. Sands confirmed that BHTA member properties anticipate business levels similar to last year during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday period.
Meanwhile, the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) operator is preparing for a busy holiday travel season, starting with Thanksgiving on Thursday.
The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) revealed that Thanksgiving 2023 exceeded expectations, with over 45,000 travelers passing through the airport during the weekend. That performance contributed to a record-setting fiscal year, with 4.01 million passengers processed in FY2024.
This year, officials expect robust travel activity but noted projections may fall slightly below last year’s peak.
“Our record-setting numbers last year affirmed the resilience of the tourism sector and The Bahamas’ appeal as a travel destination,” said Vernice Walkine, NAD President & CEO. “We anticipate a strong performance across all sectors, particularly from key U.S. source markets. Our airport community is ready to welcome guests and Bahamians returning home for the holidays.”
Since early November, NAD has collaborated with partners—including Bahamas Immigration, Bahamas Customs, the Airport Authority, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (USCBP), and airline operators—to prepare for the travel surge. Efforts focus on minimizing wait times, optimizing staffing, and ensuring operational readiness for increased flights during peak periods.
Travelers are urged to arrive at LPIA at least three hours before U.S.-bound flights and two hours before international or domestic departures to ensure adequate time for check-in and processing. U.S. travelers are encouraged to use tools like the Mobile Passport Control app and TSA PreCheck to streamline their experience. All travelers can download the AeroCloud app for real-time flight updates.
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