Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that 2015 will be the year of "full recovery" for The Bahamas' tourism sector.
While Wilchcombe acknowledged that The Bahamas faces stiff competition from other Caribbean countries, he noted that hotel room growth and a series of airlift initiatives will stimulate the recovering industry, particularly in New Providence and Grand Bahama.
"We've held our own. We've seen airlift in particular grow by about five percent, although that's not where we want it to be yet. Of course, with all of the inventory coming back on stream [next year], I think we're going to be good. I think next year is going to be the year of full recovery for tourism," he said, citing the rooms coming on stream through Baha Mar and Holiday Inn.
Wilchcombe said that forward bookings for the Rosewood and Grand Hyatt hotels are "well over the $1 million mark" ahead of the spring opening.
"We're on the upward climb right now and we want to get back to number one within the Caribbean and then we'll try to take on the bigger boys in terms of their hotel occupancies and inventories," said Wilchcombe.
He also anticipated a series of announcements related to Grand Bahama to be made in the coming week.
"There will be new cruise lines going to Grand Bahama and an additional 400-500 new jobs. I think Grand Bahama is going to see a great year and New Providence will see an even greater year," said Wilchcombe.
He also expected direct flights from Houston, Texas to Grand Bahama in 2015, following United Airlines direct flights from Houston into Nassau, which went into effect on December 3.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian