Pictured: (L-R) Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board, Ms. Astrid Bodie, Director Sales and Marketing, Bahamasair , Philip Rose, Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Jamaica Tourist Board, Tanya Pratt, Chairman, Bahamasair, Peter Mullings, Deputy Director of Tourism, Marketing, Jamaica Tourist Board, Mr. Shevonn Cambridge, Deputy Managing Director, Bahamasair, Wilfred Mullings, Deputy Director, Sales and Marketing , Bahamasair, Dr. Tyneil Cargill, Board Director, Bahamasair and Trudy Dixon, Caribbean Sales Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board. The occasion was a press conference at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in Nassau, to highlight the strengthening of the partnership between Bahamasair and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

KINGSTON; Jamaica: Thursday June 26, 2025 – Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has welcomed the tourism growth between Nassau, The Bahamas, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, following the successful launch of Bahamasair’s direct twice-weekly service that began  in November 2024.

Since the inaugural flight touched down at Sangster International Airport seven months ago, visitor arrivals from Nassau to Montego Bay has seen a steady increase, with Jamaica welcoming 3,092 arrivals and 3,074 departures to The Bahamas. This demonstrates the pent-up demand for seamless travel between these two Caribbean tourism powerhouses.

“The success of this route demonstrates the tremendous potential for intra-Caribbean travel when we remove barriers and create convenient connections,” said Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett. “Nassau visitors are discovering the unique attractions of western Jamaica, from our pristine beaches to our rich cultural heritage while Jamaicans now can explore the unique features of the islands of The Bahamas. The new route also provides economic benefits for both countries through increased visitor spend,” Minister Bartlett added.

Search for travel to Jamaica has increased significantly since the inaugural flight which will help to drive interest in travel over the next three months. In fact, Jamaica maintains the largest market share of Caribbean destination searches from the Bahamas, consistently above Dominican Republic, Barbados, and St. Lucia.

“The direct link has facilitated deeper cultural and business relationships between Jamaica and The Bahamas which exemplifies successful intra-Caribbean collaboration. This is more than just a flight route – it’s a bridge connecting our Caribbean family,” said Director of Tourism, Donovan White.

​The 1 hour and 25-minute flight operating on Thursdays and Sundays has eliminated the need for lengthy connections through the US or other international gateways. The projected increase in visitor spending is set to provide a significant boost to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tour operators for both countries.

During a recent visit by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) to The Bahamas, Bahamasair Chairman, Tanya Pratt, said, “The Caribbean is strongest when we move forward together. This isn’t just a visit, it’s a celebration of shared values, family, and vision. What we’re building today will have lasting ripple effects.”

Bahamasair’s Deputy Managing Director, Shevonn Cambridge added that Bahamasair’s belief is that airlift is “not just about transportation, it’s about connection.” He thanked the Jamaica Tourist Board for its trust and collaboration in shaping a new model of regional partnership.

Pictured: (L-R) Trudy Dixon, Caribbean Sales Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board, Candace Thomas, Project Support Officer, Jamaica Tourist Board, Fiona Fennell, Public Relations and Communications Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board, Chanice Treasure, Destination Marketing Officer, Jamaica Tourist Board, Christopher Burke, Media Relations Officer, Jamaica Tourist Board, Sevana, Jamaican singer-songwriter, Kendece Saunders, Sales Executive, Bahamasair, Venessa Henderson, Social Media Executive, Bahamasair, Indera Scott Sales Executive, Bahamasair, Britiany Bullard, Marketing Manager, Bahamasair and Nashon Rolle, Sales Executive, Bahamasair. Jamaica provided a cultured musical experience by Sevana at the Bahamasair and JTB mix and mingle event held on June 14, 2025 in The Bahamas.

To strengthen this new partnership and to drive awareness and sales, Bahamasair collaborated with the JTB to provide reciprocal immersive experiences to better understand the offerings of its islands. The activation helped to educate and inspire a deeper partnership grounded in working to promote the route.

The direct service has an appeal from leisure travellers seeking to experience multiple Caribbean destinations in a single trip, as well as business travellers strengthening commercial ties between the two nations. The JTB continues to work closely with Bahamasair to enhance airlift and connectivity throughout the Caribbean, supporting the region’s collective tourism growth.

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ABOUT THE JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo, Paris and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition. In 2025, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #13 Best Honeymoon Destination, #11 Best Culinary Destination, and #24 Best Cultural Destination in the World. In 2024, Jamaica was declared ‘World’s Leading Cruise Destination’ and ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’ for the fifth consecutive year by the World Travel Awards, which also named the JTB the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ for the 17^th consecutive year.

Jamaica earned six Travvy Awards, including a gold for ‘Best Travel Agent Academy Program’ and silver for ‘Best Culinary Destination – Caribbean’ and ‘Best Tourism Board – Caribbean’. The destination also received bronze recognition for ‘Best Destination – Caribbean’, ‘Best Wedding Destination – Caribbean’, and ‘Best Honeymoon Destination – Caribbean’. Additionally, Jamaica received a TravelAge West WAVE award for ‘International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support’ for a record-setting 12^th time.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.visitjamaica.com/blog/.