Grand Bahama Island visitor arrivals and occupancy levels have increased significantly this year. Statistics show that the occupancy rate for Grand Bahama Island in June has increased by 18.2% compared to the previous year, to 72%. Another sign of increased demand is a 40.1% increase in the year-to-date number of room nights sold in June was 253,941 versus 181,248 from the previous year.
The amount of available rooms was 352,767 in June 2015, as compared to 337,009 last year, an increase of 4.6%.
Partnerships with Vacation Express, Sunwing Travel Group, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Balearia and Grand Celebration Cruise Line have all been instrumental in the outreach efforts this summer, selling great package deals and fantastic accommodations. Sunwing Travel Group, specifically, has sold 76,538 room nights in June 2015—a phenomenal increase of 90.52%, which could not have been accomplished without strong collaboration between all partners. Since the inception of Sunwing’s operation on Grand Bahama Island in January 2014, they have sold an average of 8,100 room nights per month, through June 30, 2015.
Additionally, Vacation Express’ summer program has booked 21,153 passengers this year compared to 10,000 passengers booked last year. One of the main factors in the success of the packages offered by Vacation Express and Sunwing Travel Group has been the strategic multi-pronged promotion plan implemented by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in the US market. The plan included not only national promotion of the packages but media blitzes in the eight gateway cities in the US, with multiple interviews with local media from broadcast to print to radio, geo-targeted radio and digital ads and geo-targeted PR outreach. The marketing plan resulted not only in successfully raising Grand Bahama Island’s brand awareness and driving destination desire but also in increased bookings.
Rounding out the successful increases in visitors, since resumption of service in February of this year, the Grand Celebration Cruise Line has sold a resounding 23,804 room nights, with the Grand Lucayan receiving 78.5%.
“The Bahamas’ tourism industry continues to reap the results of all of its hard work and dedication from both the public and private sector. The increase in business is a direct result of the combined, strategic efforts across the board. We still have lots of work to do, but we are on the right track,” said the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Obie H. Wilchcombe.
