BHTA Cautiously Optimistic About Upcoming Thanksgiving, Christmas Seasons

Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) President Jackson Weech is “cautiously optimistic” about the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, and hopes member properties finish 2025 strong and exceed their expectations.

Weech told Guardian Business in a statement: “We are cautiously optimistic as it pertains to our end-of-year predictions. Based on what we have on the books right now, we certainly hope to finish strong. Ultimately, if we were granted a Christmas wish, we would like to exceed our expectations and make up for some of the ground lost during our steeper than expected shoulder season.

“The first quarter of 2026 looks to be quite robust, which is also good news. Given ever present potential headwinds, some of which lie outside our control; the geopolitical environment, the state of the economy, we appreciate the work that is being done to innovatively, proactively mitigate the impact of these headwinds.

Weech was responding to comments made by the deputy director general of tourism, Valery Brown-Alce, who said at the first annual tourism symposium held at the Margaritaville Beach Resort last week, that the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) is expecting a strong finish to the end of 2025 leading into the start of 2026. She said this was due to the marketing efforts the team at the MOTIA have been doing to promote the destination.

Weech continued: “The BHTA was pleased to attend and participate along with representatives from the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Bahama Out Islands Promotion (BOIPB), Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board (GBIPB) in the BMOTIA’s first annual tourism symposium. Recognizing the value of partnership, collaboration, and two-way communication as we work towards attaining and maintaining common aims, we found the two-day event to be relevant, engaging, enlightening and timely.

“The conversations had during the sessions, through presentations and subsequent discussions with BMOTIA’s senior level government representatives and their formidable cadre of executives and team members, promotion board partners and private sector business owners and operators, clearly illustrated the commonality of our determination to dedicate significant time, energy, acumen, and funding to ensure The Bahamas remains top of mind as a highly sought-after premier tourism destination. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage in frank, open, honest conversations regarding the current state of the industry and future forecasts given its dynamic, ever-evolving nature.”

By Youri Kemp
Senior Business Reporter