Omar Perez
Sept. 1 will mark five years since Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas' Abaco and Grand Bahama islands with winds of 180 mph, gutting much of the area and resulting in at least 20 deaths.
Today, Grand Bahama Island is outperforming other islands in the Bahamas archipelago. Last year it experienced a 33% growth in foreign air arrivals, compared with 2022 -- the largest year-over-year percentage growth compared with all other destinations in the Bahamas (Abaco was second, at 25%, and Nassau was 17%). For the first five months in 2024, the island's foreign airlift arrivals had already outperformed the same period for 2023 by 8%, putting the island on a trajectory to exceed pre-Dorian figures.
"Ongoing efforts in infrastructure development and tourism promotion
have enhanced the island's appeal and accessibility," said Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism. "The
presence of well-developed resorts, amenities and attractions such as
Lucayan National Park and Port Lucaya Marketplace also play a
significant role in attracting tourists seeking diverse experiences."
What's in store
The rebound continues on Grand Bahama, where construction has been approved to develop two Eden Hotels and Resorts properties comprising 290 rooms and 150 suites as well as 500 villas, 120 townhouses. Amenities at the two properties include seven restaurants and bars, a recreation and visitor center, a 60-dock slip marina and seafood and produce farms.
Also in the works is the Bluewater Lucayan Resort & Marina. The condo hotel and marina development will feature a 75-unit condo-hotel and a 115-slip megayacht marina, with amenities including a pool, gazebo, green walkway areas and a central plaza with high-end commercial and retail spaces.
One of the more anticipated resort openings is the Six Senses Grand Bahama, slated to open in 2026.
"Overall, the addition of Six Senses Grand Bahama is anticipated to change the tourism landscape by attracting a discerning clientele and contributing to the island's reputation as a premier destination in the Caribbean," Cooper said. "This new resort will attract high-end travelers seeking upscale accommodations and exclusive experiences, thereby diversifying Grand Bahama Island's tourism offerings beyond its current range of resorts and attractions."
Airlines are certainly taking note of what's happening on the island. American Airlines will introduce Saturday service between Charlotte and Freeport starting in November. It also plans to bring back its seasonal service from Miami in October and will increase it from weekly to twice weekly a month later.
At the end of this month, Western Air will inaugurate service between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport. Bahamasair will also debut airlift between West Palm Beach and Freeport starting Nov. 17.
Cooper attributes the increase in air arrivals to Grand Bahama Island to several factors beyond increased airlift from major U.S. cities to Freeport, the second-largest city in The Bahamas, which offers a more urban experience compared to the more laid-back vibes of other smaller islands.