By Michael Baginski/- Not unlike its ubiquitous flying fish, Bahamas tourism is calmly skimming along above the surface of the world’s choppy waters and having a definitive moment in the sun, both generally and with its integral Canadian market.
And with increased air service from Canada – including just-announced Porter Airlines flights to Nassau – this year, and Canadians’ wandering eyes for destinations beyond the U.S. at the moment, this market is trending along the same trajectory in 2025 that saw a 50% jump in visitations last year over 2023, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism I. Chester Cooper.
The “DPM” was in town this week along with director general of tourism Latia Duncombe and other ministry execs for its annual sales mission, which included gala trade and events in Toronto and Montreal, as well as requisite meetings with airlines and other partners of the Bahamas.
“Our (Canadian) numbers have been growing by record levels,” Cooper told Travel Industry Today in an interview on Tuesday. “The geopolitical issues are contributing to it; they exist, and I suspect we are getting some visitors to the Bahamas because of that, but we’ve had a long track record and relationship with Canada. Air Canada’s been going to the Bahamas for 78 years, and we’ve had an office here since 1968. And we have been attracting Canadians to our shores for many decades who know and love the Bahamas and they are returning at a clip of almost 50% – and they’re staying longer.”
However, Cooper says Canadians are certainly still hopping down for long-weekend getaways thanks to a mere three-hour flight time. “Canadians are staying longer, but both scenarios are playout out: Air Canada has a daily service to Nassau from Toronto and you can certainly go on a Thursday and be there in time for dinner and come back on Sunday in time for work. Those trips are happening.”
And Canada also has a healthy corporate and diaspora traffic to the islands.
“Canadian travellers are changing their travel habits, and with expanded airlift and improved accessibility, The Bahamas is well-positioned to capture this demand,” Cooper added. “This mission is focused on growing our visitor numbers… (And) airline partners like Air Canada and Sunwing (WestJet) are responding to strong Canadian demand with expanded services.
The significantly expanded air connectivity also includes new nonstop services from Ottawa and Halifax to Nassau that will launch this winter, while existing routes from Toronto and Montreal to Nassau and Grand Bahama have been extended or made year-round.
Most prevalent among the changing travel habits is a penchant for visitors to explore all of the Bahamas’ 16 tourism-accessible islands, particularly for those familiar with the Nassau-Paradise Island hub.
With this in mind, Duncombe revealed the “It’s not one island, it’s a lifetime” campaign,” which showcases the diversity of experiences across the islands – from festivals to fishing/boating, and pristine beaches to eco adventures or swimming with pigs/goats.
“There’s so much more to the Bahamas (beyond Nassau-Paradise Islands),” says Duncombe, adding, “We’re the only destination where you can have multi-destination experiences – and each island is unique.”
Cooper notes that Canadians are also travelling to the Bahamas year-round, not just in winter, aided by the expanded airline schedules and direct flights to some of the Out Islands (such as Sunwing/WestJet to Grand Bahama), as well as by Canadians who own property in the country.
“There’s always been a deep relationship between Canada and the Bahamas… and we’re building on that,” concluded Duncombe. “Canada is extremely important to us.”
If this article was shared with you by a friend or colleague, you may enjoy receiving your own copy of Travel Industry Today with the latest travel news and reviews each weekday morning. It’s absolutely free – just CLICK HERE.