The Bahamas, Where Worlds Meet

The Bahamas occupies a special place in the course of global history – being the location where two vastly different worlds first met in 1492.

On his historic voyage for Spain, in search of a new route to the Far East, Christopher Columbus stumbled across The Bahamas. The accidental tourist ended up revealing previously unknown lands to Europe. It was on the island of San Salvador in the southeast Bahamas that Europeans had their first recorded encounter with inhabitants of the New World. This singular moment ushered in a new era of exploration and shifting geo-politics.

Unwittingly, Columbus became the first of countless visitors to the sunny shores of The Bahamas. Centuries later, The Bahamas has built a sophisticated economy that has its foundation in tourism.

The Bahamas averages more than 6 million visitors per year. In 2019, a record 7.2 million visitors found their way to one of the country’s islands.

Sporting events play a large role in how The Bahamas hosts visitors today. The Bahamas has hosted a wide range of sporting events such as the IAAF World Relays, Atlantis Crown Gymnastics Invitational, Tottenham Hotspurs Vs. Reggae Boys exhibition match, and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Whether originating through sporting events, leisure moments or business practices, the Bahamas has a rich history of hospitality. The warm interaction of Bahamians with visitors from around the world has made the country an accommodating locale for a diverse spectrum of travelers. It is a legacy built over more than five centuries, beginning with the first Bahamians – the indigenous Arawak nation. It endures today and is likely to remain well into the future.