Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association

International arrivals to The Bahamas are up 10.2 percent year to date, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The arrivals growth trend began last October.

Strong economies in the United States and Canada, loss of rooms in the Caribbean due to storm damage from the last hurricane season and the opening of Baha Mar all contribute to the growth. There has been a 29.6 percent increase in arrivals from Canada through July.

Nassau, Bahamas - Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling received members of the Bahamas National Culinary Team during a courtesy call at Government House, Wednesday, July 25, 2018.  (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson)

Although he is happy there has been an uptick in stopover visitors to The Bahamas this year, President of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) Darrin Woods said he’s concerned about the increase in tourists choosing vacation homes over hotels and resorts.

Public Works Minister Desmond Bannister addressed key senior tourism officials and executives at a recent BHTA meeting.