More than 16,000 spring breakers are expected to visit the Bahamas over the next six weeks, according to a Ministry of Tourism official.
Spring break co-ordinator Stephen Wray said the ministry is pleased with the estimate, which exceeds the usual number of about 10,000.
According to event organisers, Monday marked the beginning of Spring Break season, when a tour of college students from the US arrived in the Bahamas.
The Ministry of Tourism treated the visitors to a beach party, which it will continue to host every Monday for the duration of the spring break holiday.
According to Mr. Wray the estimated figure is encouraging as spring breakers impact many facets of the local economy.
“The merchants, the bartenders, the nightclubs, the restaurants and taxi-drivers all benefit,” he said.
With such a large number of young visitors, safety is always an issue, Mr. Wray acknowledged.
In February the US State Department re-issued its annual travel advisory to spring breakers in the Bahamas and the ministry has begun distributing its own “welcome pack” which includes condoms and safety information.
In terms of crime Mr. Wray said the police routinely set up a Spring Break unit, which he said has been good “in terms of communication and sharing information and intelligence with the ministry”.
Source: Yolanda Deleveaux, The Tribune
