NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Ministry of Tourism’s marketing strategy of promoting The Bahamas as a 16-island destination is yielding the desired results of creating a distinct brand identity for individual islands of the Family Islands of The Bahamas.

The resulting impact has been a “whopping” 20 per cent increase in visitor arrivals to the Family Islands between January and August of 2018 when compared to the same time period last year.

An added benefit of the strategy, Tourism officials report, has been an increase in investor confidence in The Bahamas that is “evidenced by a deeper stake in our destination being secured by the leading cruise lines; the construction of boutique resorts throughout our islands; the building and expansion of marinas and the coming on stream of a whole gamut of new touristic offerings.”

Addressing a Service of Thanksgiving for management and staff of The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism and Aviation at Christ Church Cathedral, Thursday, November 22, 2018, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, said Bahamian islands such as Exuma, Abaco, Bimini, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, and the like, are becoming household names in the consciousness of international travel consumers, as a result of the strategy.

Minister D’Aguilar said the reality is that the world is taking note of what is happening in The Bahamas.

“Our destination overall, is becoming more visible in the international travel marketplace, resulting in greater investor confidence in our nation,” Minister D’Aguilar said.

“There is an ever-increasing desire for our destination among travel consumers; more and more people are coming to experience The Bahamas, (and) the majority of our guests are leaving with a good level of satisfaction about their vacation experience. They are sharing their experiences and we are delighted to see our destination being recognized internationally with another award. They are sharing their experience. And we are delighted to see our destination internationally recognized by a number of prestigious travel awards.

“Proverbs 27:2 says: ‘Let another the praise you and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips.’ The word of God is always on point,” Minister D’Aguilar added.

Minister D’Aguilar said 2018 has been a year of increase for Bahamas tourism thus far. He said the country’s visitor arrivals statistics show a “marked increase” over the first eight months of 2018 when compared to 2017.

“This current year 2018 has proven to be a year of increase for that we give thanks. In Nassau, we have seen a 15 per cent increase in stopover visitors, air arrivals, between January and August of this year, are up, when compared to last year. Visitor arrivals, air and sea combined, to the Family Islands have shown an increase of a whopping 20 per cent between January and August of this year.

“(Today) we pause to give thanks for all of these positive trends and others that are taking place in our destination. Thanks be to God, we are seeing the fruits of our labour,” Minister D’Aguilar added.