NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Bahamas tourism industry delivered its third consecutive year of record-level performance in 2025, welcoming 12.5 million visitors, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper, who presented the figures in Parliament on Wednesday.
“In 2025, The Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors, the highest total arrivals ever recorded,” Cooper told the House. “Visitor arrivals grew 11.4 per cent year-over-year, surpassing 2024’s record and exceeding our pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 72 per cent.”
Cooper said the continued growth reinforces tourism’s position as the country’s leading economic engine, translating directly into employment, income and business activity across the islands.
“While some might seek to downplay the impact of these arrivals, they represent jobs and salaries, shifts being filled, inventory purchased, tours booked, taxis running, restaurants busy, marinas active, straw vendors selling, smart hotels and Airbnb hosts earning, and Bahamian families feeling the difference across our islands,” he said.
Sea arrivals exceeded 10.6 million visitors in 2025, reflecting a 14 per cent year-over-year increase and nearly double pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Cooper attributed the surge to strengthened cruise partnerships, improved port operations and expanded infrastructure across multiple destinations.
“Cruise is a volume engine, stopover is a value engine, and both matter,” he said.
Foreign air arrivals totaled nearly 1.7 million visitors, finishing 1.6 per cent below 2024, amid weather disruptions, global aviation challenges and geopolitical issues. However, Cooper pointed to improving momentum late in the year.
“Stopovers in 2025 remained above 2019 levels — 1.821 million compared to 1.806 million,” he said.
The deputy prime minister said the performance of the Family Islands demonstrates the impact of sustained investment and expanded access.
“When we invest in product, when we have access and partnerships, visitors do not only come to Nassau, but they also travel across the islands of The Bahamas,” he said.
Grand Bahama recorded one of the strongest rebounds in the country, surpassing 1.1 million visitor arrivals for the first time in more than two decades.
“For the first time in more than 22 years, Grand Bahama arrivals have eclipsed one million,” Cooper said, adding that the island is now “the fastest-growing tourism destination in The Bahamas.”
Air arrivals to Grand Bahama increased 20 per cent year-over-year and more than 30 per cent above 2019 levels, while sea arrivals surged more than 90 per cent compared to 2024, driven by the opening of Celebration Quay.
Abaco also delivered its strongest performance on record, welcoming just under 520,000 visitors in 2025. Air arrivals to Abaco rose 5.2 per cent, making it the second-fastest growing destination by air.
Canada emerged as a bright spot for stopover growth, supported by expanded airlift.
“By December year-end 2025, stopover arrivals from Canada outperformed 2024 and surpassed 2019 with the launch of flights by Porter Airlines and increased airlift by WestJet and Air Canada,” Cooper said.
“Canada now accounts for seven per cent of stopover business in 2025,” he added.
Cooper acknowledged that despite record arrivals, stopover growth remains constrained by limited room inventory and ongoing disruptions.
“This is why the Tourism Development Corporation has been focused on supporting grants for short-term vacation rentals with its Home Sweet Home grants, even as more than $10 billion of new touristic investments come out of the pipeline in the mid to long term,” he said.
Looking ahead, Cooper said the government’s strategy remains focused on sustaining growth responsibly, improving quality and expanding economic participation.
“When tourism succeeds, our economy expands. Government revenues grow. And the Bahamian people are empowered,” he said.
