The Bahamas Achieves Unprecedented Tourism Milestone with 12.5 Million Visitors
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has announced a historic achievement for the nation's tourism sector, welcoming an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors in 2025. This record-breaking figure represents the highest total ever recorded in the country's history and firmly establishes The Bahamas as one of the world's premier tourism destinations.
Exceptional Growth and Recovery
This remarkable achievement caps a period of exceptional performance for Bahamian tourism, with visitor arrivals growing 11.4% year-over-year. The 2025 numbers not only surpass 2024's previous record but exceed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 70%. This substantial growth demonstrates the strength and resilience of global demand for Bahamian tourism experiences.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, emphasized the national significance of this milestone: "Reaching 12.5 million visitors is a defining achievement for The Bahamas and a clear signal of confidence in our destination, our leadership, and our tourism strategy. Tourism continues to be a powerful engine of economic growth, delivering jobs, investment, and opportunity for Bahamians across our islands."
Cruise Tourism Drives Record Numbers
Cruise tourism remained the primary driver of growth, accounting for 86.5% of total arrivals. Sea arrivals exceeded 10.6 million visitors, representing a 14% increase year-over-year and nearly double 2019 levels. Major ports recorded record throughput, with continued gains across Nassau/Paradise Island and the Out Islands, supported by:
- New cruise infrastructure development
- Enhanced partnerships with leading cruise lines
- Expanded port facilities and services
Island-Specific Success Stories
Several Bahamian islands delivered standout performances, underscoring the breadth of tourism growth across the archipelago:
Abaco recorded its highest total visitor arrivals on record, welcoming just south of 520,000 visitors in 2025. This milestone was driven by record-breaking sea arrivals and reflects sustained demand for the island's distinctive Out Island experiences, reinforcing Abaco's continued recovery and long-term tourism potential.
Grand Bahama experienced a significant tourism resurgence in 2025, driven decisively by expanded and sustained airlift. For the first time in more than 22 years, total arrivals surpassed one million, reaching approximately 1.1 million through December. Air arrivals increased 20% year-over-year compared to 2024 and exceeded pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 30%, reflecting:
- Renewed airline confidence in the destination
- A strengthening stopover market
- Improved connectivity and flight options
This airlift-driven growth has directly benefited hotels, short-term rentals, restaurants, and on-island service providers, reinforcing Grand Bahama's status as one of the fastest-growing and most compelling tourism rebound stories in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region.
Sustainable Growth and Future Outlook
While celebrating this historic achievement, Bahamian officials emphasized their commitment to responsible tourism development. Minister Cooper noted: "While we are proud of this performance, our focus remains on sustaining growth responsibly and ensuring that the benefits of tourism continue to strengthen communities throughout the country."
The record-breaking 2025 tourism numbers position The Bahamas for continued success in the global tourism market, with strategic investments in infrastructure, marketing, and sustainable development expected to support ongoing growth and economic benefits for Bahamian communities across all islands.
