CRUISE EXPENDITURE SURVEY BROCHURE SUMMARY

CRUISE EXPENDITURE SURVEY BROCHURE

SUMMARY

GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND

RESEARCH AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

2019

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.

1 Cruise Ships in the Cruise Expenditure Survey 4

2 How Much Money Did Cruise Visitors Spend In Grand Bahama 4

i) Total Cruise Expenditure on island 4

ii) Average Expenditure Per Cruise Visitor 5

iii) Did Average Expenditure Differ by Cruise line 5

iv) How Many Cruise Visitors Spent Under $20 on Their Visit 5

v) How Many Cruise Visitors Spent Under $50 on Their Visit 5

vi) How Many Cruise Visitors Spent $50 or more on Their Visit 5

vii) How Many Cruise Visitors Spent $200 or more on Their Visit 5

3 What Did Cruise Visitors Spend Their Money On While on Island 6

4 Shopping and Cruise Visitors 6

i) What Percentage of Cruise Visitors Went Shopping In Grand Bahama 6

ii) How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend On Shopping in Grand Bahama 6

iii) What Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Buy 7

iv) What Percentage of Cruise Visitors Got Their Hair Braided 8

5 Activities/Tours/Excursions 9

i) How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend On Activities/Tours/Excursions 9

ii) How Did Cruise Visitors Book Their Activities/Tours/Excursions 9

6 How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Transportation 9

7 Meals and Drinks off the Ship 9

i) How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Meals and Drinks off Ship 9

ii) How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Meals and Drinks off Ship 9

iii) What Were The Most Popular Restaurants for Cruise Visitors 10

iv) How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Water 10

v) How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Soda/juice/drinks 10

vi) How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Ice Cream 10

8 Repeat Visitors to the Bahamas 10

i) How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Were Repeat Visitors 10

ii) How Many Times Had Cruise Visitors Been to the Bahamas Before 10

iii) Did Cruise Visitors Say That They Had Come to the Bahamas Before

on a Cruise Ship or Did They Say That They Had Stayed on Shore 11

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

9 Cruise Visitors and Likelihood to Return 11

i) Did Cruise Visitors Say That They Would Return to Bahamas as a

Vacation Destination either as Part of a Cruise or a Land Based Vacation 11

ii) Would Return Again but Stay In a Hotel 12

iii) Would Return Again but on a Cruise 12

iv) Would Return Again and do Both: Come on a Cruise or Stay in a Hotel 12

10 Cruise Visitors and Likelihood to Recommend 12

i) How Many Cruise Visitors Said That They Would Recommend Bahamas

to Friends/Relatives 12

11 How Did Cruise Visitors Find Out What to Do and See While on Isl. 13

i) Did Cruise Visitors Say That They Had Attended a Talk/Lecture About

What to Do and See on the Island Before They Got Off the Ship 13

ii) Did Cruise Visitors Say that they Had Obtained Information From

Other Sources Than a Talk/Lecture 13

iii) Where Did This Other Information Come From 14

12 How Many Times Did Cruise Visitors Get off the Ship 14

13 What Did Cruise Visitors Say Would Have Made Their Trip More

Enjoyable 14

14 Cruise Ship Demographics 15

15 What is Tourism 17

16 Types of Visitors 17

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

1. Cruise Ships in the Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019

2. How Much Money Did Cruise Visitors Spend in Grand Bahama in 2019?

The amount of money spent by cruise visitors to Grand Bahama increased between 2019

and 2018 by 6.9%. In 2019, cruise visitors to Grand Bahama spent $38.80 million

compared to $36.30 million in 2018, $34.60 million in 2017, $39.18 in 2016, and $46.46

million in 2015. Cruise visitors spent $44.55 in 2014, $52.44 million in 2013, and $56.38

million in 2012.

Grand

Bahama

Count

Col %

4.3%

Count

Col %

11.7%

Count

Col %

3.8%

Count

175

Col %

28.7%

Count

159

Col %

26.1%

Count

Col %

8.0%

Count

Col %

2.5%

Count

Col %

0.3%

Count

Col %

0.2%

Count

Col %

4.9%

Count

Col %

1.1%

Count

Col %

1.5%

Count

Col %

2.3%

Count

Col %

0.8%

Count

Col %

3.8%

609

100.0%

Source: Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019, Research & Statistics Dept.

Total Count

Col %

Ship Name

Carnival Dream

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Glory

Carnival Liberty

Carnival Pride

Ecstasy

Elation

Mariner of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas

Norwegian Sky

Norwegian Sun

NAMES OF SHIP IN SURVEY

Sensation

Carnival Sunshine

Celebrity Edge

Carnival Sunrise

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

3. What Was the Average Expenditure Per Cruise Visitor in Grand Bahama in 2019?

The average expenditure of a cruise visitor to Grand Bahama has trended downward

since 2014 but trended back up in 2019. In 2019, the average expenditure for a Cruise

Visitor to Grand Bahama was $74.8 compared to $64.2 in 2018, $59.2 in 2017, $63.30 in

2016, $68.89 in 2015, and $71.48 in 2014.

4. Did the Average Expenditure Per Cruise Visitor in Grand Bahama Differ By Cruise

Line?

• Yes, the average expenditure did differ by Cruise line. The average expenditure

made by cruise visitors in Grand Bahama has trended down since 2014 on the

Carnival Cruise lines fleet of ships but did go back up in 2019.

• In 2019, the average expenditure of a cruise visitor to Grand Bahama on the

Carnival fleet of ships was $69.92 compared to $63.56 in 2018, $58.32 in 2017,

$61.95 in 2016, $67.28 in 2015, and $76.32 in 2014.

• In 2019, the average expenditure of a cruise visitor on the Norwegian Cruises

ships was $87.74 compared to $81.93 in 2018, $67.53 in 2017, $81.56 in 2016,

$75.67 in 2015, and $65.53 in 2014.

• In 2019, the average expenditure of a cruise visitor on the Royal Caribbean

International cruise line was $41.33 compared to $58.74 in 2018, $69.03 in 2017,

$67.30 in 2016 while in Grand Bahama.

5. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Spent Under $20.00 When they Got off

the Ship?

Approximately two in every ten (18%) cruise visitors on average spent under $20.00

while they were off the ship in Grand Bahama.

6. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Spent Under $50.00 When They Got Off

the Ship?

Approximately half (48%) the cruise visitors on average spent under $50.00.

7. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Spent $50 or More When they Got off

the Ship?

Approximately half (52%) of the cruise visitors on average spent $50.00 or more during

their visit to Grand Bahama.

8. Did Any Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Spend $200 Or More Off the Ship During

Their Visit?

Yes, approximately one in twenty (5%) cruise visitors spent on average $200.00 or more

when they got off the ship.

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

9. What Did Cruise Visitors Spend Their Money On While in Grand Bahama?

In 2019, cruise visitors spent most of their money on shopping and

activities/tours/excursions. Forty-one percent (41%) of the money spent by cruise

visitors in Grand Bahama was on shopping and thirty-nine percent (39%) of the money

was spent on activities/tours/excursions.

Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama spent the rest of their money on meals and drinks they

bought off the ship (16% on this), and transportation (4% on this).

10. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Went Shopping?

Approximately eight in ten (80%), cruise visitors who got off the ship in Grand Bahama

did some form of shopping while on island in 2019. Roughly nine in ten cruise visitors

who got off the ship in Grand Bahama did some form of shopping while on island in 2018

(85%), 2017 (87%), 2016 (86%), 2015 (89%) and 2014 (88%).

11. How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Shopping in Grand Bahama?

In 2019, cruise visitors spent $15.90 million on shopping in Grand Bahama compared to

$14.37 million in 2018, $14.84 in 2017, $15.26 million in 2016, $19.99 million in 2015,

$19.88 million in 2014, and $19.80 in 2013.

Expenditure by Category 19/18

Grand Bahama Expenditure (Mlns) % SHR Expenditure (Mlns) % SHR % CHG

Shopping $15.90 41.0% $14.37 39.6% 10.6%

Activities/Tours/Excursions $15.16 39.1% $14.81 40.8% 2.4%

Meals and Drinks off Ship $6.27 16.2% $5.43 14.9% 15.6%

Transportation $1.47 3.8% $1.69 4.7% -13.3%

Casino $0.00 0.0% $0.00 0.0% 0.0%

Nightlife $0.00 0.0% $0.00 0.0% 0.0%

Total GBI $38.80 100.0% $36.30 100.0% 6.9%

Source: Cruise Expenditure Survey, Research & Statistics Dept., Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

CRUISE VISITORS

EXPENDITURE BY MAJOR CATEGORY 2019 & 2018

2019

2018

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

12. What Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Buy When They Went Shopping?

In 2019, eight in ten (80%) cruise visitors who got off the ship in Grand Bahama went

shopping compared to 85% in 2018. Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama bought T-shirts,

clothing, jewelry, straw work, perfumes and cosmetics, liquor, linen, tobacco, leather

goods and china/crystal and a host of other goods. In Grand Bahama, many tours and

excursions included shopping as one of the scheduled things to do on the itineraries, this

was one of the reasons that a higher percentage of cruise visitors went shopping in Grand

Bahama (80%) than in Nassau/Paradise Island (70%) in 2019.

13. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought T-Shirts While in Grand Bahama?

Of the eight in ten (80%) cruise visitors who had done some form of shopping in Grand

Bahama in 2019, approximately six in ten (59%) cruise visitors bought t-shirts while on

the island compared to 58% in 2018, and 60% in 2017. In 2016, more than half (56%)

of the cruise visitors bought T-shirts compared to 64% in 2015, 67% in 2014, 63% in

2013, 50% in 2012, and 49% in 2011.

14. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Jewelry While in Grand Bahama?

The percentage of cruise visitors that purchased jewelry in Grand Bahama has declined

since 2012. In 2019, approximately two in ten (19%) cruise visitors who got off the ship

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Did Shopping?

70.2% 64.3% 65.8% 46.6% 53.5% 53.6% 55.7% 60.6% 53.0% 80.3% 85.1% 87.2% 85.8% 88.9% 87.8% 87.2% 80.5% 73.6%

Bought T-shirts 64.0% 56.8% 59.4% 82.3% 76.4% 67.8% 75.4% 69.1% 79.4% 59.3% 58.3% 59.6% 56.0% 64.2% 67.4% 62.6% 50.3% 48.6%

Bought Other Clothing 16.5% 13.8% 16.1% 8.6% 9.2% 12.5% 10.2% 12.2% 13.6% 30.3% 28.3% 23.4% 22.3% 21.0% 23.0% 23.0% 24.9% 21.5%

Bought Other Souvenirs 40.2% 39.9% 38.2% 37.4% 36.7% 44.7% 45.8% 46.1% 47.0% 54.0% 43.5% 41.3% 42.7% 40.4% 39.4% 37.7% 35.5% 37.6%

Bought Other Items 20.3% 26.7% 25.6% 38.6% 38.6% 28.7% 20.1% 34.7% 42.9% 13.9% 26.2% 24.7% 27.2% 31.5% 38.2% 28.7% 35.1% 27.2%

Bought Jewelry 19.5% 19.7% 18.3% 32.9% 34.3% 31.8% 31.2% 33.2% 40.4% 19.0% 20.0% 23.4% 24.2% 30.6% 37.0% 38.8% 40.8% 38.7%

Bought Straw Work 12.5% 12.5% 18.6% 40.3% 29.5% 22.2% 29.0% 26.8% 39.4% 17.6% 18.1% 17.7% 17.6% 18.5% 20.7% 16.7% 13.7% 16.5%

Bought Perfumes or Cosmetics 6.4% 5.5% 5.6% 24.6% 24.2% 19.5% 25.0% 21.4% 32.2% 4.7% 4.3% 2.9% 2.1% 2.7% 4.6% 5.2% 2.0% 4.5%

Bought Liquor 9.0% 12.0% 11.2% 30.3% 26.9% 22.4% 26.5% 25.3% 31.0% 8.8% 8.3% 5.2% 4.0% 5.5% 8.7% 8.0% 4.3% 2.0%

Did Hair Braiding 1.6% 2.9% 4.7% 22.0% 20.3% 11.4% 12.7% 9.9% 21.1% 3.5% 5.5% 2.1% 3.2% 2.0% 2.7% 3.6% 2.7% 2.7%

Bought Linen 1.1% 1.0% 1.1% 0.6% 0.2% 1.0% 0.2% 2.7% 6.8% 0.6% 0.5% 0.8% 0.0% 0.8% 0.9% 1.2% 0.9% 1.1%

Bought Tobacco 3.0% 2.6% 3.3% 4.3% 4.1% 3.5% 2.1% 3.0% 3.3% 0.6% 0.3% 0.3% 0.6% 0.5% 1.0% 1.2% 1.9% 0.7%

Bought Leather Goods 1.8% 1.1% 1.4% 6.6% 4.6% 4.0% 2.9% 2.7% 3.1% 0.2% 0.6% 0.2% 0.3% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.9% 0.7%

Bought China/Crystal 0.7% 0.9% 0.9% 0.6% 0.0% 0.2% 0.6% 1.6% 1.6% 0.4% 0.4% 0.1% 0.3% 0.5% 0.6% 0.9% 1.8% 1.8%

Source: Cruise Expenditure Exit Survey 2011 to 2019, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Research & Statistics Dept.

In August 2019, Hurricane Dorian began its track through the Southern Islands of the Bahamas. It skirted all of the Central and Southern Islands of the Bahamas as it focused in on the Northern islands of the Bahamas: Abaco and Grand Bahama.

On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian slammed into the islands of Abaco and GBI as a category 5 Hurricane. International Flights to Grand Bahama came in through the airport in West End.

In September 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean islands and the Southern Bahamas and caused significant damage to many cruise ports in the region. Many ships that had been

destined for other ports, were re-routed to Nassau/P.I. as a result of these devastating Hurricanes. Fourth quarter cruise expenditure in Nassau/P.I. increased significantly as a result of the increase

in cruise arrivals and average expenditure of the cruise visitors to the island during this period. The re-routed ships had a significant impact on cruise expenditure during the 4th qtr. 2017.

In 2017, there was a significant increase in the percentage of cruise visitors to Nassau/P.I. that went shopping than in 2016 and the hurricanes heavily influenced this increase.

CRUISE VISITORS

THE BAHAMAS

SHOPPING SUMMARY

% of Cruise Visitors Who Said Yes

Nassau/Paradise Isl.

Grand Bahama

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

bought jewelry compared to 20% in 2018, 23% in 2017, 24% in 2016, 31% in 2015, 37%

in 2014, 39% in 2013, and 41% in 2012.

15.How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Straw Work While in Grand Bahama?

The percentage of cruise visitors purchasing straw work in Grand Bahama has increased

since 2012. Approximately two in ten cruise visitors purchased straw work in 2019

(18%), 2018 (18%), 2017 (18%), 2016 (18%), 2015 (19%), 2014 (21%) and 2013 (17%)

compared to one in seven (14%) in 2012.

16. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Liquor While in Grand Bahama?

In 2019, approximately one in every ten (9%) cruise visitors who got off the ship and

shopped purchased liquor while they were in Grand Bahama compared to 8% in 2018,

5% in 2017, 4% in 2016, 6% in 2015, 9% in 2014, 8% in 2013, 4% in 2012 and 2% in

2011.

17. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Perfumes and Cosmetics While in Grand

Bahama?

In 2019, one in every twenty (5%) cruise visitors that got off the ship and shopped

purchased perfumes and cosmetics while on island in Grand Bahama.

18. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Tobacco While in Grand Bahama?

Approximately one percent (0.6%) of cruise visitors who got off the ship bought tobacco

products.

19. How Many Cruise Visitors bought Leather Goods while in Grand Bahama?

Less than one percent (0.2%) of them bought leather goods.

20. What Other Goods Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Purchase?

Of the cruise visitors who had purchased other goods, the most popular items were

handbags/purses/wallets/totes and hats/caps. Approximately one in three (35%)

cruise visitors to Grand Bahama purchased handbags/purses/wallets/totes in 2019 and

approximately two in ten purchased hats/caps (21%). Other popular items purchased in

Grand Bahama included: wood carvings (10%), conch shells/shells (9%), rum cakes

(7%), key chains (4%) and sunglasses (4%).

Less popular items purchased by cruise visitors to Grand Bahama Island included:

cane/walking canes, magnets, shot glasses, wind chimes, masks/wooden masks, toys, etc.

21. How Many Cruise Visitors Got Their Hair Braided While in Grand Bahama?

In 2019, approximately one in every twenty-five (4%) cruise visitors that got off the ship

got their hair braided while in Grand Bahama compared 6% in 2018, 2% in 2017, 3% in

2016 and 2% in 2015.

22. How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Activities/Tours/Excursions?

The amount of money spent on activities/tours/excursions increased by 2% between

2019 and 2018. In 2019, cruise visitors that got off the ship in Grand Bahama spent

$15.16 million on Activities/Tours/Excursions compared to $14.81 million in 2018,

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

$13.69 million in 2017, $16.81 million in 2016, $18.95 in 2015, $16.90 million in 2014,

and $24.56 million in 2013.

23. How Did Cruise Visitors Book Their Activities/Tours/Excursions?

The percentage of cruise visitors to Grand Bahama that booked their

activities/tours/excursions on board the cruise ship has trended downwards since 2013

but in 2016, it went back up. Approximately seven in ten (72%) cruise visitors who got

off the ship in Grand Bahama booked their activity/tour/excursion on board the ship in

2019, compared to 68% in 2018, 66% in 2017, 61% in 2016, 59% in 2015, 62% in 2014

and 70% in 2013.

24. How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Transportation?

The amount spent by cruise visitors on transportation has trended primarily downwards

since 2013. In 2019, cruise visitors that got off the ship and used transportation while

on island spent $1.47 million compared to $1.69 million in 2018, $1.49 million in 2017,

$1.67 million in 2016, $2.06 million in 2015, $2.12 million in 2014, and $3.05 million in

2013.

25. How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Playing in the on-Island Casino?

The casino in Grand Bahama was closed in 2019.

26. How Much Did Cruise Visitors Spend on Meals and Drinks Off the Ship?

The amount of money cruise visitors spent on purchasing food and drinks off the ship

trended up between the years 2013 to 2015 but fell in 2016 and 2017. In 2013, cruise

visitors to Grand Bahama spent $4.3 million on meals and drinks off the ship compared

to $5.26 million in 2014, $5.40 million in 2015, $5.34 million in 2016, $4.58 million in

2017, $5.43 in 2018 and $6.27 million in 2019.

27. How Many Cruise Visitors Bought Food and Drinks When They Got Off the Ship in

Grand Bahama?

Some of the cruise visitors while they were off the ship bought full meals or snacks while

others just bought water, soda/juice/drink, ice cream, or snacks.

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Booked on Board Ship

27% 27% 29% 18% 29% 37% 35% 44% 47% 72% 68% 66% 61% 59% 62% 70% 61% 73%

Booked Independently

65% 65% 49% 52% 39% 28% 34% 33% 37% 20% 28% 27% 28% 29% 28% 22% 31% 21%

Booked On shore

11% 10% 22% 31% 33% 36% 31% 22% 16% 8% 5% 7% 11% 13% 11% 9% 7% 6%

Non-Response

0% 0% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2% 1%

Source: Cruise Expenditure Surveys 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Research and Statistics Dept. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Some cruise visitors would have booked some of their activities one way and their other activity another way.

HOW DID YOU BOOK YOUR ACTIVITIES/TOURS/EXCURSIONS

THE BAHAMAS

2019

How Activity/Tour Booked

Nassau/P.I.

Grand Bahama

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

The percentage of cruise visitors that purchased food and drinks while they were off the

cruise ship has not changed much since 2013. Approximately seven in ten cruise visitors

that got off the ship in Grand Bahama purchased some kind of food or drinks while on

island in 2019 (72%), 2018 (70%), 2017 (70%), 2016 (69%), 2015 (72%), 2014 (69%)

and 2013 (69%).

28. What Were Some of The Most Popular Restaurants Where Cruise Visitors Ate in

Grand Bahama?

The most popular restaurant in Grand Bahama for cruise visitors who got off the ship and

dined was Señor Frogs in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The next most popular

restaurants for cruise visitors that got off the ship and dined while on island were Burger

Boy and Girl, Fat Tuesday, Robinson’s Seafood Delight, and Krusty Krab.

The other popular restaurants/eateries where cruise visitors ate or drank while they

were in Grand Bahama included: After Deck, Agave Restaurant, Burger King, Dive In,

Garden Café (Garden of the Groves), Jolly Rancher Liquor Store, Pirate’s Cove, and Zorba’s

Greek Restaurant.

(Listed in alphabetical order; all restaurants are not listed.)

29. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Bought Water on The Island?

In 2019, fifteen percent (15%) of cruise visitors who got off the ship in Grand Bahama

and bought food or drinks bought water during their time ashore on the island compared

to 13% in 2018, 15% in 2017, 14% in 2016, and 16% in 2015.

30. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Bought Soda/Juice/Drinks on The

Island?

In 2019, approximately one in seven (14%) cruise visitors who got off the ship in Grand

Bahama purchased soda/juice/drinks during their time ashore compared to 8% in 2018,

12% in 2017, 13% in 2016, and 14% in 2015.

31.How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Bought Ice Cream on The Island?

In 2019, less than one percent (0.2%) of cruise visitors who got off the ship bought ice

cream while ashore in Grand Bahama compared to 0.5 in 2018, 0.5% in 2017, 0.4% in

2016 and 1% in 2015.

32. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Were Repeat Visitors?

In 2019, more than half (56%) of the cruise visitors to Grand Bahama had visited before

compared to 53% in 2018. Roughly half the cruise visitors who visited Grand Bahama in

2017 (51%), 2016 (46%) and 2015 (51%) had visited The Bahamas before.

33. How Many Times Had Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Visited The Bahamas

Before?

In 2019, of the cruise visitors that had visited The Bahamas before, approximately three

in every ten (29%) had visited one time before and approximately one in three (32%)

had visited two times before. Roughly four in ten (39%) had visited three or more times

before.

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

34. When Cruise Visitors Came to The Bahamas Before, Did They Also Come on A Cruise

Ship or Did They Stay on Shore?

• The percentage of cruise visitors that have come to The Bahamas before on a cruise

ship, trended up between 2015 to 2017, and again in 2019. In 2019, of the cruise

visitors that had come to The Bahamas before, approximately eight in every ten

(89%) had come before on a cruise ship compared to in 80% in 2018, 82% in 2017,

76% in 2016, and 73% in 2015.

• The percentage of cruise visitors that have come to The Bahamas before and stayed

on shore has primarily trended downwards since 2015. In 2019, one in twenty-five

(4%) cruise visitors who had come to The Bahamas before had stayed on shore

compared to 8% in 2018, 5% in 2017, 8% in 2016, and 12% in 2015.

• The percentage of cruise visitors to Grand Bahama that had come to The Bahamas

before and had either cruised to The Bahamas before or stayed on shore at one time

or another declined in 2019 (7%) compared to 2018 (12%), 2017 (12%), 2016

(15%), and 2015 (15%).

35. Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Say That They Would Return to The Bahamas

Again as a Vacation Destination, Either as Part of a Cruise or For A Land Based

Vacation?

The majority (98.8% i.e., 84.4% definitely would and 14.4% probably would) of cruise

visitors who had come ashore in Grand Bahama indicated that they would return to The

Bahamas as a vacation destination either as part of a cruise or for a longer stay.

Grand Bahama

Count 305

Col % 89.2%

Count 12

Col % 3.5%

Count 25

Col % 7.3%

342

100.0%

Total

Count

Col %

WHEN YOU CAME BEFORE WAS THAT ALSO ON A CRUISE SHIP OR

DID YOU STAY ON SHORE?

When You Came Before

Was it on a Cruise Visit or

Did You Stay On-shore

Cruise

Stayed on shore

Both

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

36. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Who Indicated That They Would

Return Said That They Would Come Back and Stay in A Hotel?

Of the cruise visitors to Grand Bahama who came ashore in 2019, and said that they

would definitely or probably return, approximately one in ten (10%) indicated that they

would stay in a hotel when they returned.

37. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Who Indicated That They Would

Return, Said That They Would Come Back on A Cruise?

Of the cruise visitors to Grand Bahama who came ashore in 2019 and indicated that they

would definitely or probably return, roughly seven in ten (73%) indicated that they

would come back on a cruise ship again.

38. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Who Indicated That They Would

Return, Said That They Would Do Both: Come Back and Stay in A Hotel and Come

Back on A Cruise?

In 2019, of the cruise visitors to Grand Bahama who came ashore and said that they

would definitely or probably return, fourteen percent (14%) indicated that they would

do both, come back and stay in a hotel or come back on a cruise.

39. How Many Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Who Came Ashore Said That They

Would Recommend The Bahamas To Their Friends And Relatives As A Place To

Visit?

In 2019, the majority (99.8% i.e., 96.7% definitely would & 3.1% probably would) of

cruise visitors who had come ashore in Grand Bahama indicated that they would

recommend The Bahamas as a place for their friends/relatives to visit and this

percentage remained unchanged from 2018 (99.6%).

Grand Bahama

Count 59

Col % 9.8%

Count 441

Col % 73.3%

Count 85

Col % 14.1%

Count 16

Col % 2.7%

Count 1

Col % 0.2%

602

100.0%

Non Response/No Answer

Total

Count

Col %

DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD STAY IN A HOTEL OR COME ON A

CRUISE SHIP

Would You Stay in a Hotel

or Come on a Cruise Ship?

Would stay in a hotel

Would come by cruise ship

Both

Don't Know

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

40. Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Say That They Had Attended A Talk or Lecture

About the Island?

In 2019, nearly half (47%) of the cruise visitors to Grand Bahama indicated that yes, they

had attended a talk or lecture about what there was to see and do while they were on the

island before they got off the ship compared to 32% in 2018.

41. Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Say That They Had Obtained Other

Information About What to See and Do While They Were on Island?

In 2019, seven in every ten (71%) cruise visitors to Grand Bahama that got off the ship

indicated that they did get information other than a talk/lecture about what there was to

see and do while they were on the island compared to 71% in 2018, i.e., it remained

unchanged.

Grand Bahama

Count 283

Col % 46.5%

Count 326

Col % 53.5%

609

100.0%

Before Getting off Ship Did

You Attend a talk/lecture

About What to See or Do

While Here?

Yes

Total

Count

Col %

BEFORE YOU GOT OFF THE SHIP, DID YOU ATTEND A TALK OR

LECTURE ABOUT WHAT THERE WAS TO SEE AND DO WHILE HERE?

Grand Bahama

Count 432

Col % 70.9%

Count 175

Col % 28.7%

Count 1

Col % 0.2%

Count 1

Col % 0.2%

609

100.0%

Total

Count

Col %

DID YOU GET ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO SEE AND

DO HERE?

Did You Get Any Other

Information About What to

See and Do Here?

Yes

Don't Know

Non Response

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

42. Where Did the Other Information About What to Do and See While On Grand

Bahama Come From?

The most popular means for cruise visitors to find out information on what to see or do

while in Grand Bahama other than a talk/lecture given on the ships was the Internet.

Approximately seven in ten (72%) cruise visitors that got other information other than a

talk/lecture about The Bahamas used the Internet. The next most popular means used

to obtain additional information about the island other than a talk or lecture included

maps (22%), and brochures/pamphlets/flyers (16%).

Other popular means used by cruise visitors other than a talk/lecture to obtain

information on The Bahamas included: cruise directors (8%) and tour directors (7%).

Many cruise visitors that came ashore used more than one of these means to obtain

information.

43. How Many Times Did Cruise Visitors Get Off the Ship When They Were Docked in

Grand Bahama?

In 2019, the majority (96%) of cruise visitors that got of the ship did so one time and two

percent (2%) got off two times.

44. What Did Cruise Visitors to Grand Bahama Say Would Have Made Their Trip

Better?

Length of Stay: One in four (24%) suggestion comments received from cruise visitors to

Grand Bahama about what would have made their trip more enjoyable were about length

of stay in port. These cruise visitors thought that their length of stay in Grand Bahama

was not long enough i.e., they needed more time, more time to enjoy the island, more time

to see and do more, etc. In the past the fact that the visitors wanted to stay longer in port

was categorized as a negative from their perspective but a positive from the perspective

of the destination. However, the decision was made to reclassify this cruise visitor

comment of wanting more time in port as a suggestion.

Count Col %

Internet 312 72.1%

Maps 95 21.9%

Brochures/Pamphlets/Flyers/Booklets 70 16.2%

Cruise Director 33 7.6%

Tour Director 30 6.9%

Television on board ship 23 5.3%

Other people/neighbours 5 1.2%

Non Response 40 9.2%

Other Information

WHERE DID THE OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT TO SEE AND DO

HERE COME FROM?

Grand Bahama

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

45. Cruise Visitor Demographics:

2019 2018

CRUISE VISITORS LIKELY TO RETURN 99% 98%

Those Who Would Return and Stay in a Hotel

10% 12%

Those Who Would Return by Cruise ship 73% 71%

Those Who Would Return & Do a Cruise or a Land Stay 14% 14%

CRUISE VISITORS LIKELY TO RECOMMEND 99.8% 99.6%

REPEAT VISITORS 56% 53%

AGE

18-24 1% 3%

25-34 12% 15%

35-44 44% 35%

45-54 27% 28%

55-64 12% 14%

65 yrs. & over 4% 5%

AGE OF CHILD TRAVELLING

Under 12 months 5% 1%

Age 1 to 5 15% 14%

Age 6 to 11 43% 41%

Age 12 to 17 36% 42%

Over 17 yrs. 2% 2%

TRAVELLING PARTY SIZE

One 1% 1%

Two 52% 49%

Three 13% 13%

Four or More 34% 37%

AVERAGE TRAVELLING PARTY SIZE 4.0 4.0

HOW VISITORS WERE TRAVELLING (Travel Type)

Alone 1% 1%

As a couple 39% 42%

As a family 50% 48%

As a group 10% 9%

DEMOGRAPHICS

GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND

CRUISE VISITORS

2019

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

2019 2018

HOUSEHOLD INCOME*

$25,001-$50,000 10% 10%

$50,001-$75,000 19% 15%

$75,001-$100,000 16% 13%

$100,001 and Over 13% 21%

TOP STATES: WHERE CRUISE VISITORS LIVE

Virginia 13% 10%

Florida 10% 8%

Maryland 8% 14%

Georgia 8% 4%

Texas 8% 11%

Pennsylvania 7% 8%

Ohio 6% 6%

North Carolina 4% 3%

New York 4% 4%

South Carolina 4% 2%

Louisiana 3% 2%

Tennessee 3% 2%

Alabama 3% 1%

COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE

USA 97.7% 98.1%

Canada 1.1% 1.1%

Europe 0.3% 0.3%

Other 0.8% 0.5%

Source: Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 and 2018, Research and Statistics Dept. Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

In this survey, a distinction is made between the traveling party size and the number of people expenses relate to, because there

was a significant percentage of people that traveled as a group or as a family but their expenses did not relate to all of their traveling companions

but to a smaller party within the larger group.

CRUISE VISITORS

2019

DEMOGRAPHICS

GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

46. What is Tourism?

Tourism: The “activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual

environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other

purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated (i.e. without receiving a

salary/wage for said activity/activities) from within the place visited". (Source: United

Nations World Tourism Organization UNWTO, & Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia).

TYPE OF VISITORS

Visitors to the Islands of The Bahamas can come to the Bahamas by air or by sea.

Air arrivals are persons that come to the destination by air and include: stopover visitors,

day visitors, & transits.

Sea arrivals are persons that come to the destination by sea and include: cruise arrivals,

cruise stopover visitors and boaters/yachters.

Stopover/Stayover Visitors are travelers that travel outside of their normal environment

for any purpose other than to be employed by a resident entity, and stay in the destination

for 24 hours or more but less than a year. Some examples of stopover visitors include

persons that stay in hotels, private boats/yachts, vacation rentals, timeshares, etc.

Cruise Stopover Visitors are a special category of stopovers that come to the destination

on a cruise ship but get off and stay in other land-based or other accommodations upon

arrival.

Cruise Visitors are travelers that travel outside of their normal environment on a cruise

ship for any purpose other than to be employed by a resident entity and use the ship for

their accommodations.

Day Visitors are travelers that travel outside of their normal environment for any purpose

other than to be employed by a resident entity and stay in the destination for less than 24

hours.

Transits are persons that are simply passing through a country/destination on their way

to somewhere else.

Cruise Expenditure Survey 2019 Research & Statistics Dept. Ministry of Tourism

Information in this brochure is based on the Grand Bahama Cruise Expenditure Exit Surveys

2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011. If you have any questions about this

report, you may contact the Director of the Research and Statistics Department using the

following information below:

Research and Statistics Department

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

P.O. Box N-3701

Nassau, Bahamas

Tel: 242-302-2094 Fax: 242-328-7991

[email protected]