The Bahamas has announced a landmark achievement in its tourism sector, welcoming a record-breaking 12.5 million visitors in 2025. This figure, the highest ever recorded for the nation, underscores the sustained global demand for The Bahamas as a premier travel destination. The surge in visitor numbers represents an 11.4% increase from the previous year and exceeds pre-pandemic levels by more than 70%.
Cruise tourism was a significant contributor, accounting for 86.5% of total arrivals. Sea arrivals alone reached over 10.6 million, marking a 14% year-over-year increase. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, I. Chester Cooper, highlighted the economic impact, stating, "Tourism continues to be a powerful engine of economic growth, delivering jobs, investment, and opportunity for Bahamians across our islands."
Several islands experienced notable growth, with Abaco welcoming nearly 520,000 visitors, driven by record sea arrivals. Grand Bahama saw a resurgence, surpassing one million total arrivals for the first time in over two decades, thanks to expanded airlift. Eleuthera, Bimini, and the Berry Islands also reported significant increases, bolstering community-based tourism.
Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe emphasised the strategic success, noting, "Welcoming 12.5 million visitors speaks to the strength of Brand Bahamas and the clarity of our market positioning."
The Bahamas' tourism strategy, which includes enhanced cruise infrastructure and strengthened airline partnerships, continues to position the nation as a leading global destination. The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation remains focused on sustaining this growth responsibly, ensuring the benefits are widely shared across the archipelago
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