Total visitor arrivals to the Bahamas fell by 6 per cent in January 2006, a 7 per cent increase in air arrivals being offset by an 11 per cent decline in sea arrivals.
The Ministry of Tourism said the 11 per cent fall in cruise arrivals to Nassau/Paradise Island as a first port of entry occurred because the major lines brought in fewer passengers. However, cruise arrivals to Nassau/Paradise Island as a second port of entry were up in January 2006 compared to the previous year.
While Norwegian Cruise. Lines brought in more passengers during January 2006, Princess Cruises brought in no passengers at all. There was a 44 per cent fall in passengers brought in by Celebrity Cruise Lines; a 4 per cent decline in Carnival passengers; a 9 per cent drop in Costa Cruises arrivals; a 45 per cent decline in Holland American Cruises passengers; a 10 per cent fall in Royal Caribbean arrivals; and 43 per cent drop on Imperial Majesty Cruises arrivals.
However, increased numbers of passengers brought to the island by Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines ensured that arrivals to Grand Bahama were up by 25 per cent by first port of entry
for January 2006.
The Ministry of Tourism said: “Carnival brought in 57 per cent more passengers to Grand Bahama in January 2006 using their ships the Fascination Fantasy, Celebration and the Carnival Liberty. Norwegian Cruises brought in 211 per cent more cruise passengers to Grand Bahama as a first port of call than in January 2005.
Increase
“The increase in cruise arrivals brought in by Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruises was enough to counteract the decline in cruise arrivals by Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruises, Holland American Cruise Lines, and Royal Caribbean International.”
Sea arrivals to the Family Islands fell in January 2006 because cruise arrivals declined. While Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises brought in more passengers by first port of entry than in 2005, it “failed to counteract the decline” caused by Disney Cruises and Holland American Cruises, which were down by 66 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.
However, air arrivals – the higher spending stopover visitors to the Bahamas – increased by 7 per cent in January 2006 to 81,367, while air arrivals to the Family Islands rose by 8 per cent. Air arrivals to Grand Bahama were off by 5 per cent.
Eight out of 10 of Nassau/Paradise Island’s top 10 destination markets experienced stopover arrivals growth in January 2006, with New York up 19 per cent; Miami-Fort Lauderdale ahead by 3 per cent; and Washington DC up by 43 per cent.
Half of Grand Bahama’s top 10 destination markets for 10 destination arrivals enjoyed growth in January 2006, but the other five all saw declines. Air arrivals to all Family Island destinations saw increases for January 2006, with the exception of Andros, the Berry Islands and Cat Cay.
Source: ļ¾ NEIL HARTNELL, Business Editor
