Big things are happening in Nassau & Paradise Island right now

PAX travelled to Nassau, capital of the Bahamas, and Paradise Island, to take part in the International Travel Partners Conference (ITPC), organized by the Nassau-Paradise Island Tourist Board, in order to learn more about the destination, which has experienced record growth since the beginning of the year.

"If you have not been to Nassau for the last four years, it's like you've never been here," said Fred Lounsberry, general manager of the Nassau-Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) at the opening of this a conference that allowed nearly 100 industry professionals (tour operators and travel agents) to rediscover the Nassau-Paradise Island destination.

READ MORE: Baha Mar resort destination is finally complete

The destination has changed a lot, improved dramatically, and now, has new products likely to interest an international clientele, American and Canadian.

The Cove Atlantis

A trendy destination

Since the beginning of the year, the Bahamas have been enjoying strong double-digit growth: +18 per cent arrivals to the Bahamas for the first quarter of 2018.

On the Canadian side, the outlook is also very positive.

"The trend is moving towards 30% growth over 2017," said Paul Strachan, Senior director, Canada, Bahamas Department of Tourism and Aviation.

Last year, nearly 130,000 Canadians were tempted by the warm, translucent waters of the 700-island archipelago. This year, 72,000 have been there in the first three months, mainly from Toronto, thanks to year-round direct flights operated by Air Canada Rouge, WestJet and Sunwing.

From Montreal, Air Canada operates direct flights during the high season, from November to April. Finally, WestJet offers direct flights from Calgary in high season only.

SLS Baha Mar

The role of Baha Mar

To explain the growth of the tourism industry on the islands of New Providence and Paradise Island, it should be noted that the tourism office has been very active in promoting and marketing in the United States, but also in Canada.

The archipelago was also largely spared by hurricanes that hit the end of last summer. Finally, the destination knows how to stay up to date, thanks to the development of new products or the updating of well-known hotels.

Among the big news in Nassau, the huge Baha Mar resort is finally open to tourists after years of wandering and development. He understands :

The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

• Opened in April 2017
• 1,800 rooms
• Largest casino in the Caribbean and the only one with a sea view

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

The SLS Baha Mar

• Opened in November 2017
• 299 rooms
• For a young, party-oriented and sophisticated clientele

The Rosewood Baha Mar

• Opened in June 2018
• 237 rooms, suites and villas

Baha Mar

Popular hotels: renovations and add-ons

The Melia Nassau Beach, located next to the Baha Mar complex on the beautiful Cable Beach, has been and is still undergoing renovations over the last three years. During our visit, the facade of the hotel was being repainted.

The Graycliff Hotel continues to expand in downtown Nassau. After its cigar factory and chocolate factory, this New Providence institution, acclaimed by celebrities around the world, recently opened Bahama Barrels, the first winery in the Bahamas. Various workshops on wine are also offered.

On the Atlantis side, the Coral at Atlantis has renovated all its rooms. At the Cove, two new restaurants have recently opened: Sip Sip, an iconic Harbor Island restaurant, is coming to Paradise Island, while renowned chef José Andres will serve conch, fish, tuna and shellfish at the well-known fish restaurant.