The Bahamas continues to lead overall rebound in cruise tourism in the region post pandemic.

This welcomed news coming on the heels of the recent four-day Seatrade Cruise Global Conference held from 27 – 30 March in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was revealed by the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

“The Bahamas securely holding the title of regional leader in cruise tourism is but one example of the Ministry’s efforts for a robust rebound in the cruise travel sector,” said DPM Cooper.

DPM Cooper led a delegation of top tourism officials including Hon. John H.W. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary and Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General and Director of Aviation, at the four-day conference that featured 500 exhibitors from over 100 countries.

“We had several meetings with cruise and maritime professionals that encompassed looking at our cruise model in a holistic way – all of The Bahamas including our Family Islands and not just our capital city of Nassau,” he said.

“We also had major discussions looking at how to provide more opportunities for stakeholders and entrepreneurs through partnership with the Tourism Development Corporation that would in turn stimulate our local economy,” said DPM Cooper.  

According to Dr. Romer, for the first time outside of Florida, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) as a demonstration of the strong partnership with The Bahamas, will host its leadership conference of this magnitude in Nassau.  The FCCA is composed of 23- member cruise lines including Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean International, Margaritaville at Sea and Virgin Voyages that operate vessels in the Caribbean, Latin America and Florida.

DPM Cooper said that cruise executives reaffirmed their commitment to environmental and sustainable practices and were very optimistic about the redevelopment of the Nassau Cruise Port.

“Like us,“ said DPM Cooper, “our cruise partners are also excited about the official opening of the Nassau Cruise Port at Prince George Wharf, and we are reenergized and encouraged about our future prospects after meetings at Seatrade.”

Seatrade Cruise Global Conference, organized by the FCCA, annually facilitates a forum for discussion by cruise and maritime experts, and decision makers on tourism development, including ports of call and safety and security.