Two thousand and five was a record-breaking year in the tourism industry with The Bahamas setting new records in tourist arrivals, visitor spending, and visitor nights, according to Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.
Minister Wilchcombe, who is also the Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini, reported in the House of Assembly on Wednesday that last year, 5.050 million tourists visited the Bahamas. It was only the second time in the country's history that the figure exceeded 5 million. The first time was in 2004.
He also reported that visitor spending peaked at $2.05 billion for the first time last year. Minister Wilchcombe noted that that figure represents $630 million more than what was spent by visitors in 1997.
"[The increase] could have produced 225,200 more automobiles, 6,300 more homes at a cost of $100,000, 8,400 more $75,000 classrooms, or 2.3 million more $277 round trip tickets to Miami," he said.
As indicated, The Bahamas also set a new record in the number of room nights, which peaked at 10 million last year.
In 2005, visitor nights grew 3.8 percent from 9,988,000 in 2004 to 10,271,529 in 2005. Prior to 2005, 2004 was the next best year followed by 1997, which was the third best year with 9,465,385 visitor nights, Minister Wilchcombe said.
"What that means is that the Bahamas received about 800,000 more visitor nights in 2005 compared to 1997, or 400,000 more potential taxi trips, 800,000 more beds to be made, 800,000 more opportunities to purchase a Bahamian souvenir and 2.4 million more meals to be prepared and served," he explained.
Minister Wilchcombe added that the increase in the average room rates around The Bahamas also provides a good indication of the growth that is taking place in the tourism industry.
He indicated that in 2004, the average daily room rate in New Providence was $165, compared to $166 last year.
In Grand Bahama, the daily average room rate was $90 in 2004, but it jumped to $110 last year.
The Family Islands also noted an increase in the average daily room rate from $171 in 2004 to $190 in 2005.
The tourism minister said these figures indicate that "The Bahamas is a hot destination".
"The Bahamas must be convinced that we are on a good wicket. That is why we must do all that we possibly can to build on the opportunities that the tourism industry provides," he said.
Minister Wilchcombe stated that "legislation, training, retraining, better education, exposure to new destinations and new ways of doing things is the way we must go" if the country is to experience continued growth in tourism.
By: Daphne McIntosh, The Bahama Journal
