Bahamas Welcomes Tourism Investment: But No Sustainability, No Deal

The Bahamas is drawing a clear line for future development: If a new tourism project doesn’t meet environmental standards, it won’t happen.

That’s the message from Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who also oversees tourism, investment, and aviation. He said the country’s tourism strategy now puts environmental protection ahead of unchecked growth.

"If you are prepared to do quality business in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way, we welcome you," Cooper told the Skift climate podcast, GreenShift. "And if you plan not to conform, there's no place there for you."

Keeping Cruise Ships Away From Ecotourism Zones

The challenge is significant. The Bahamas, with a population of just 400,000, attracted 11.2 million visitors last year, roughly 30 times its resident population. This disparity has forced careful strategic planning.

"We mu