Page 27 - TFWA World Exhibit 2023 Special Edition

INSIDER

The Bahamas is enjoying “explosive” growth in visitor arrivals

Tourism is booming in the Bahamas, Overall tourist spending is also up 43% ahead of the 2019 historic cruise
with visitor numbers outpacing projections significantly. Major large New Providence arrivals figures.
for the first seven months of 2023, and far hotels experienced increased occupancy Overall Air stopover arrivals, which
surpassing 2019, which was the Bahamas’ and length of stay rates for 2023, eclipsing represent “heads in beds”, surpassed same
busiest year on record. corresponding periods for 2019 and period 2022 numbers by 24%, and matched
The Bahamas recorded more than 5.89 2022. Average Daily Rate (ADR) is up 2019 figures.
million arrivals from January through the an average of 59% compared to 2019 and The destination’s biggest market
end of July and is projected to close out the Room Revenues are up 42% for the same for visitors remains the United States,
year at 8 million plus visitors, reports the period. representing 90% of overall visitor arrivals,
Ministry of Tourism. More than 60% of visitors came followed by Canada and UK/Europe.
Of the 5,893,118 total visitors who to The Bahamas for the first time, with The Latin America market is gaining
visited The Bahamas in the first seven arrivals from every region showing an momentum in its steady return to pre-
months of the year, 1,133,494 arrived by increase over the same period last year. pandemic stopover levels.
air and 4,759,624 by sea. July year-to-date The Port of Nassau welcomed the From January through July, 70% of
overall arrivals are pacing 59% ahead of largest share of cruise arrivals, followed all stopover visitors came to The Bahamas
2022 and 30% ahead of 2019, the busiest by The Berry Islands (Coco Cay), Bimini primarily for a vacation, 15% for weddings
year on record. (Mainland and Ocean Cay), Half Moon and honeymoons, 6% to play in casinos,
Comparing 2023 overall arrivals by Cay, Grand Bahama and Abaco (Castaway 4% for business and 5% for “other/
month, March arrivals peaked at 951,311, Cay), respectively. Overall, Cruise arrivals undisclosed” reasons.
making it the busiest arrivals month in January through July, are up 72.1% over
Bahamas history. the corresponding period last year, and

BermudAir launches first year-round, direct U.S.-Bermuda air service

The first Bermuda-based airline with
year-round service and catering to business
and tourism, launched at the end of August,
when tickets went on sale for BermudAir’s
first three direct routes between Bermuda
L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) and
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS);
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International
Airport (FLL); and Westchester County
Airport (HPN).
Service connecting BDA to BOS
and HPN commenced on August 31, with
service to FLL beginning on September 22.
These new direct services offer short-haul airline, the inflight experience reflects the island’s
travelers from these popular East Coast “Our mission to elevate the travel renowned hospitality with premium
cities and surrounding areas greater access experience for everyone and provide well- on-board menu offerings and attentive,
to Bermuda, providing a premium travel timed, traveler-centric, stress-free flights friendly cabin crew.
option with average flight times of around on these new routes is just the beginning.
two hours. Establishing this year-round service is a World Class Executive Team
The phased introduction began using first step in our journey to redefine the The executive team at BermudAir
Embraer E175 aircraft service with a travel experience and we look forward brings decades of commercial airline
standard 88-seat configuration. Only 44 to rolling out our phased introduction of experience, including with United Airlines,
seats are sold for each flight – all with both BermudAir’s Aisle Class,” said BermudAir British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and
window and aisle access and space for Founder and CEO Adam Scott. Silverjet. Additionally, the leadership team
carry-on bags. Introductory fares start at BermudAir is additionally committed boasts a wealth of broader travel industry,
$199 USD, including taxes. to the local community through its and financial services experience, including
Following delivery of custom-made, dedication to sourcing services and Mark Bergsrud, chief commercial officer,
innovative seating suites in November, partnerships within Bermuda, including who was previously CEO of Servy, the
BermudAir will usher in a new era the hiring of local crew, collaborating with hospitality-industry technology services
of business class air travel with the Bermuda service providers for onboard company that developed Grab, a self-
introduction of Aisle Class, an innovative food and beverage services, and sourcing service solution for airport concessions.
30-seat configuration that is a first for a local ingredients. The goal is to ensure

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