The addition of a Miami-to-Bimini passenger ferry is expected to open up new tourist markets and complement the island's boutique casino, according to the director general at the Ministry of Tourism.

David Johnson told Guardian Business that the Superfast Ferries service will offer another travel option for tourists to visit Bimini.

The inaugural trip will take place on Friday, departing from the Port of Miami. The ferry service will operate daily, according to Johnson, with at least two trips between Miami and Bimini.

Johnson added that the boat was retrofitted for this type of service after it relocated from Europe. The repair work took place in Grand Bahama. Ferry services are already being offered between Bimini and Miami by another company, Spanish-based Baleara, on a 358-passenger vessel. The ship being used by Superfast Ferries can carry up to 1,600 passengers, Guardian Business has learned.

The projected influx of visitors to Bimini should be positive for businesses on the island.

"I think that there are going to be opportunities here for many entrepreneurs if we're attracting the number of persons they are offering," Johnson said.

"Just the sheer volume of additional visitors coming to Bimini should create some other opportunities in the tourism sector."

It is projected that up to 400,000 visitors could come to the island per year via the ferry service.

The main attraction for the island will be the Resorts World Bimini Bay Casino, which is expected to open on July 1 and create 1,300 jobs. Johnson said the development team has been "working almost around the clock" to put the finishing touches on the casino in preparation for the soft opening on Friday.

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