Bahamas Tourism’s ‘Very Big Deal’: 13% Of Visitors Are Back

• The reopening of the Bahamas tourism market accounted for 13% of the nation’s pre COVID-19 visitor base. Canada’s decision to drop its advisory against “non-essential” travel and ease border restrictions, which takes effect at the end of February, will pave the way for The Bahamas’ second largest source market to properly visit this country once again. 
• The move by Canada, which comes days after the United Kingdom (UK) removed its own COVID-related restrictions on overseas travel by its citizens, immediately gives The Bahamas access to its two most important source markets after the US, following a near two-year period of travel bans and general disruption. 
• President of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA), Robert Sands, elucidated that these “may be the first of many dominos that are going to be falling in source markets to improve tourist inflows to the island”. 
• Additionally, with the Omicron-induced case surge continuing to dissipate, this is a strong justification for the US health authorities to upgrade The Bahamas from a ‘Level 4’ “avoid travel” advisory to as high as ‘Level 2’ “moderate risk”. 
• Given that the tourism sector is a main contributor to export earnings, employment and economic growth in Bahamas, the resumption of travelers to The Bahamas, will aid in the country’s economic recovery. The country is expected to grow by 8.0% in 2022 (IMF).

(Source: The Tribune)