Bahamas is Surging the Tourism Industry with Visa-Free Entry Policy for 157 Countries

 

• Bahamas’ initiative of allowing visa-free access to 157 countries has significantly boosted tourism, leading to unprecedented growth in the sector.
• This visa-free policy has been instrumental in establishing The Bahamas as a prime destination for various travel segments like business, luxury, and event travel. By making it easier to access the island, The Bahamas has simplified travel logistics and positioned itself as a top global hotspot in the tourism industry.
• In 2023, the total number of tourists reached 9,654,838, setting a new record and surpassing prior expectations. This number represents a 38% increase from 2022 and a 33% surge from the previous record set in 2019.
• Further, the significant uptick in tourism was supported by a 17% increase in foreign air arrivals, totalling 1.72Mn in 2023 compared to 1.47Mn in 2022. This growth highlights The Bahamas as a premier travel destination.
• Additionally, April 2024 saw a remarkable increase in cruise tourism, with 3.21Mn cruise visitors, up 14.8% from 2.80Mn in April 2023. Cruise tourism plays a crucial role in the Bahamian economy, contributing about 40% to the GDP and generating over US$2Bn annually from visitor spending.

(Source: Travel and Tour World)