Expensive room rates

Bahamas: Expensive low season roomrate
Grand Bahama man and Bahamas Tourist Minister Obie Wilchcombe who announced a good increase in the Bahamas Travel Industry for 2003 doesn´t like what we know now: The season July through September – known as the period with the hottest temperatures and highest hurricane risk - shaped up to be a weak time for the tourism sector over the year before, particularly in Grand Bahama, which recorded a 9.5 percent downturn in arrivels.
Country-wide arrivals by air: Even though tourism business improved during the third quarter, the improvement was slower than the same period in 2002, with 340,000 air visitors coming to the country. Bahamas cruise arrivals: The falloff was much more dramatic with growth during this period being 2.3 percent, when compared to the 18.2 percent boost last year. In the third quarter of 2003, 720,000 visitors came on cruise ships.
During the quarter, hotels experienced a 4.4 percent reduction in income. Industry-wide, hoteliers actually got a little more per night for their rooms - $146.64 on average. But occupied room nights decreased by 6 percent with the average occupancy falling to 57.5 percent from 63.7 percent during the same period the year before. This past September was the worst September Bahamas hoteliers have experienced in more than 25 years.
According to Bahamas Consult tourism growth weakens also due to increasing reports about crime, corruption, drug trafficking and attacked spring breakers and other tourists. Bahamas visitors would also more and more claim that in big hotels like Our Lucaya in Freeport, Wyndham or Radisson Cable Beach Resort in Nassau, Sheraton Grand and even the two towers at Atlantis Resort and Casino (Paradise Island) would not attrack so much because those hotels with 500, 1000 and more rooms would not garanty the real tropical experience. Room rates are much higher till april.

[sheilabw]

Just got back from 5 days on Paradise Island. Went there last year also, and will do it again. If it is too corrupt and expensive try another beach destination. We had 4 kids 11,14 and two 19 y/o's with us (ours plus a friend). They've been to many places and say that this was there best vacation ever!!!! Atlantis threw a spectacular 4th of July beach party for guests. Went into Nassau also, locals were nice...no drugs solicited...I guess you could get drugs anywhere you go if you're really looking for them!