The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas is positioning itself to expand tourism, trade and airlift opportunities with Europe following the renewal of a town-twinning agreement with Nassau, Germany, the deputy prime minister said yesterday.

Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said the agreement opens the door to deeper engagement between the two sides, particularly in travel, investment and cultural exchange.

“That’s an exciting opportunity to deepen friendships between Nassau, Germany, and Nassau in The Bahamas,” said Mr Cooper.  “Yes, we have diplomatic relationships, but we want to expand tourism and trade and culture - students moving between our respective countries.”

He added that the agreement represents the early stages of what could become a broader economic relationship. “It’s the beginning, really, of the possibility of expanding tourism, trade and culture between our respective countries,” said Mr Cooper.  “Over time, this relationship, I expect, will continue to build and grow.”

He added that increased travel and business activity could eventually support expanded airlift between the two destinations, including the possibility of direct routes. “The more travel and trade there is between our countries, there’s an opportunity for expansion of direct flights and, hopefully in the future, non-stop flights between our countries,” the deputy prime minister said.

Mr Cooper added that The Bahamas has been actively targeting the European market, particularly travellers seeking environmentally conscious experiences. “We understand that guests from Germany and Europe, in particular, want more eco-tourism, sustainable tourism-type products and services,” he said.

He pointed to initiatives such as catch-and-release fly fishing, as well as environmental attractions such as Coral Vita and mangrove restoration projects, as key selling points.

“As I’ve said, 75 percent of our guests say that sustainable tourism is something that they want to explore,” Mr Cooper added. “We’ve been doing eco-tourism for five decades. The world is finally catching up.”

Mr Cooper also emphasised the broader economic impact of tourism, noting that many investment opportunities begin with a visitor experience. “Many investment projects begin as a tourism visit,” he said. “People come to The Bahamas, they fall in love, they want to build a house, they want to open a business.”

He said the country continues to position itself as an open economy for foreign direct investment, pointing to roughly $15bn in inflows over the past three years.

Latia Duncombe, director-general of tourism, said the renewed agreement will help formalise co-operation across several key areas. “This renewed town-twinning agreement will strengthen co-operation across four key areas — cultural exchange, economic development, education and environmental sustainability,” said Mrs Duncombe.

She added that the agreement will support deeper engagement in arts, heritage and education, while also creating opportunities for trade and innovation-led growth.

“It will also focus on education and youth empowerment, creating opportunities for academic exchange and programmes that encourage global awareness and connection,” said Mrs Duncombe. “This moment is symbolic. It brings forward an idea first imagined decades ago and positions it within a modern context; one that supports meaningful collaboration and certainly long-term value.”

Mr Cooper said the broader goal is to strengthen global awareness of The Bahamas beyond its traditional sun and sand appeal. “We are going beyond the beach,” he said. “We are creating new experiences that they will be able to come and enjoy. Ultimately, we want the world to know who we are. We want them to experience our culture, our heritage and the warmth of our people.”