Grand Bahama visitor arrivals and occupancy levels have increased significantly this year, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Statistics show that the occupancy rate for Grand Bahama in June has increased by 18.2 per cent compared to the previous year, to 72 per cent. Another sign of increased demand is a 40.1 per cent increase in the year-to-date number of room nights sold in June was 253,941 versus 181,248 from the previous year. The amount of available rooms was 352,767 in June 2015, as compared to 337,009 last year, an increase of 4.6 per cent.

Partnerships with Vacation Express, Sunwing Travel Group, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Balearia and Grand Celebration cruise line operators have all been instrumental in the outreach efforts this summer, says the Ministry.

Sunwing Travel Group, specifically, has sold 76,538 room nights in June 2015, an increase of 90.52 per cent.

Since the inception of Sunwing’s operation on Grand Bahama Island in January 2014, it has sold an average of 8,100 room nights per month, through June 30, 2015.

Additionally, Vacation Express’ summer programme has booked 21,153 passengers this year compared to 10,000 passengers booked last year.

One of the main factors in the success of the packages offered by Vacation Express and Sunwing Travel Group has been the strategic multi-pronged promotion plan implemented by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in the US market.

The plan included not only national promotion of the packages but also media blitzes in the eight gateway cities in the US, with multiple interviews with local media from broadcast to print to radio, geo-targeted radio and digital ads and geo-targeted PR outreach.

Grand Celebration Cruise Line has sold 23,804 room nights, with the Grand Lucayan receiving 78.5 per cent.

“The Bahamas’ tourism industry continues to reap the results of all of its hard work and dedication from both the public and private sector. The increase in business is a direct result of the combined, strategic efforts across the board. We still have lots of work to do, but we are on the right track,” says Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.