Bahamas visitors statistics. Reasons for decline?

[Floridacargocat]

http://www.bahamasb2b.com/news/story.php?title=Bahamas-Visitor-Arrivals-Continue-To-Plummet
Interesting read. Overall not a very rosy picture, and data are difficult to read. Decline in total visitors due to what? Could not be the hurricane season, which was more than benign. Is ist available spending money (after having paid insurance and taxes for their houses), or level of service? Abaco always gets good ratings by tourists.
Is it that tourists make comparisons with more cost-effective destinations, and they are less inclined to pay for for some unique experiences (for a hefty price) or are they looking for low-cost vacations?
Or tourists are simply turned off caused by news reports about bad experiences (which have nothing to do with Abaco), but it is reported as happening in The Bahamas (indirect effect on The Abacos).

[DrRalph]

There's a lot of statistical mishmosh in that article. What I'm taking from it is a poor choice of descriptor (plummet, 4%?), and a drop of 2% in the family islands, which probably doesn't include Abaco. They specifically mention decreases at Cat Cay, Cat Island, Long Island, and San Salvador. A quarter says total visitors to Abaco have increased this year, and will continue to do so.

[SamFamAustin]

Sorry, I could not load the link....

I've lived or stayed on four Islands (South Padre Island TX, Block Island RI, Anna Maria FL, and folks in Abacos BAH) and while each has a different story, the data seem to be horribly confounded. In some cases, tourist traffic is up but rental revenues are down. Millions of dollars can be added to the local economy such as in houses, yet sales taxes are flat or actually declining. Heavy growth can be predicted but the local resident population might be flat, showing no growth at all. One of the more interesting factoids is that the largest year for economic expansion on SPI was in 2001, when the twin disasters of 9-11 and a total collapse of the causeway bridge occurred; after five years and a billion dollars in investment, the local economy actually lost ground.

Go figure. We can talk about "darned lies and statistics" but it is obvious the tourism industry is changing ... exactly how is the million dollar question. This might lead one to cast the "Boomer" growth theory as being a little too simplistic.

[islandfever]

I am afraid that tourism from boating is going to get worse before it gets better. Costs are rising sharply for the boat owner. Insurance (if you can even get it) charges have sky rocketed. I have heard some increases as much as 400%. Some companies have dropped boats all together. Fuel costs this summer were the highest ever with fuel at about $5 a gallon. Even a modest boat could cost the owner $10 a mile just for fuel. Dockage has increased in some areas due to "mom and pop" marinas not rebuilding after the hurricanes. Then the Bahamian Government hits you with a $300 entry fee just for the privilege to come and spend your money. Many have still not returned since this was imposed a few years ago. Most boat owners are not "fat cats" as some think so they are looking for alternatives. Some are poor choices such as not carrying insurance. Please do not do this. I know of some who have moved their boats out of Florida to reduce insurance charges. Fuel charges are forcing shorter trips closer to home. High Bahamian entry fees make some choose alternative destinations or reduce money spent on the local economy during visits. I even know of several who have just put their boats up for sale. I do not know where this will finally lead, but I am afraid that the boating industry is taking an economic hit as well as those who depend on it.

[sandy shaw]

Some of what you say may be true, high insurance costs, etc., but I have to take issue regarding your comment on the $300 entry fee. It was $150 before the increase (which I heard no one complain about) - So the issue is the $150 increase which equates to just 15 miles running (to quote your figures of $10 per mile). Now I, for one, don't think that someone running a $20K ~ >$3M yacht will baulk at that.

[SamFamAustin]

I respect the customs laws and entry fees as a necessity but there are two sides to the boating world ... one where money is little concern and the other is called the BOAT phenomena:

"bust out another thousand"

If there isn't one thing about to go kaflooie on a boat it is two or three! :eek:
Sam

[PattyB]

Boats and vacations are the last on the list for many of us in South Florida who would ordinarily travel to The Bahamas at the drop of a hat. There were two years of horrific hurricanes, culminating with Wilma really knocking our socks off. Many residents suffered tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in uninsured damage. Adding insult to injury, property insurance has skyrocketed, along with property taxes, and utility surcharges. Some high end condos along the beach are still in a state of disrepair, 14 months later. Our priorities have changed after totaling the staggering losses. I'm sure visitors from South Florida account for a good portion of the drop.

[islandfever]

My daughter lives in South Florida and PattyB is right that economic conditions caused by hurricanes, insurance, etc. are such that cruising the Bahamas is a low priority. I would say this really includes the entire State of Florida. The Florida West Coast is totally in shambles from Katrina and may never be the same. The East Coast is still recovering too. Over the past few years hurricanes, insurance, taxes, environmental regulations, fuel costs etc. have forced 8 of the 15 marinas in Brevard County to close and be turned into condominiums. I will go to Abaco for my 26th year this spring, but young people in particular are looking for more value with their limited travel budgets. That is, of course, except those with the $3M yachts!

[Luff'em]

While it is very hard (impossible ?) to denote "tone" from reading a post it, I'll try anyway. It seems like the tone is one of being sad that supposedly tourism is down. Come on guys we can't have it both ways, complain about places starting to become crowded and not the way they used to be, while at the same time bemoaning the decline of tourism.

Personally I think that things like hurricanes, being "house rich" in a slighly declining home market, ARM's, and the like have come back to bite some who have been loose with there money and priorities have been forced to be adjusted, which in the long run will most likely be a good thing.

[SamFamAustin]

I really am not qualified to put the Abacos "under the microscope" on this issue, since I'm usually having such a blast I don't think about the serious things - unless it's helping Dad attack the poisonwood tree branches or something (now that's serious, plastic zoot suits and gloves).

But it seems true that both things are happening - more houses and less visitors. Many houses seem empty a good part of the year, although perhaps that's more reflective of our Texas Island than your particular case. With all the investment going on, many are even "see through houses" without even any furniture or window blinds. /Zoot Suit Sammy