By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

The Government’s aviation chief yesterday said Abaco’s higher-spending air arrivals are still 12 percent down on pre-Dorian’s 2019 numbers as the island’s revival from the devastating storm progresses.

Dr Kenneth Romer, also deputy director-general of tourism, told the Abaco Business Outlook conference that the World Tourism Organisation had predicted Abaco’s tourism sector would not recover until 2027 but current indicators suggest it may achieve this by year-end.

“At the end of 2019, Abaco’s total air numbers for the first six months was about 76,000. We saw over in 2023 the numbers were about 57,000, far off from 2019. As a matter of fact, it’s about a 24 percent decline. So, at that time, Abaco’s recovery was about 75 percent,” he said.

“At the end of the first six months in 2024, Abaco’s numbers stood now at about 67,000, trending now about 12 percent behind where you were in your best year at that time, 2019. We predict now that by the end of this year, Abaco is going to be in single digits when it comes down to your overall recovery for air arrivals.”

Dr Romer said current trends indicate there is a significant demand for Abaco, and visitors are now returning and sharing positive reviews about the island. “Obviously there is significant demand for Abaco,” he added.

“Persons are coming back, and it’s more than just the sympathisers of Dorian. These are persons who are now returning, and these are your loyal visitors to Abaco who are speaking about your brand, those who are speaking about what they can do to help Abaco.

“Abaco will not wait until 2027 for full recovery. As a matter of fact, we’re going to push it so heavy. We believe that Abaco is positioned for full recovery for airlift probably by the end of 2024, we’re doing all we can to make that happen for Abaco.”

Dr Romer said the Department of Aviation has introduced “innovative” forms of airlift to Abaco such as sea planes and helicopters to attract high value visitors to the destination.

“We are really working to see how the airlift numbers could match pre-Dorian, and then we will have a strategy now to exceed those numbers by some innovative methods and approaches to airlift, inclusive of amphibious airlift,” said Dr Romer.

“You’re looking at the sea plane landing and also a vertical airlift, your helicopter landing, that takes you into Baker’s Bay and it’ll bring a great set of value clients to Abaco.”

Dr Romer said the new $177m Heads of Agreement for the redevelopment of Treasure Cay includes the development of the island’s airport, and the Government is entering a private-public partnership (PPP) for the $10m expansion of the Leonard Thompson International Airport.

“The new Heads of Agreement with GreenPointe holdings, we’re already engaging them about the development of an airport in Treasure Cay and also an FBO (fixed base operation),” said Dr Romer.

“We know the IDB, again, had allocated funding for airside improvements, but that was prior to Dorian. That’s how long we’ve not used the loan.. We are looking also at the expansion of the existing Leonard Thompson International Airport. We’ve gone out to market March of last year and proposed the $10 million capital expenditure under a PPP arrangement.”

Dr Romer said the Airport Authority will also conduct “short fixes” to the airport until the PPP arrangements have been finalised.

“The Airport Authority has been given a mandate to go and do a complete revision for the small, low hanging fruit at the airport,” said Dr Romer.

“The doors can’t close, the floors are sweating, that becomes now a deterrent to those who are traversing your major port of entry. We are allocating resources to allow for short fixes to the Leonard Thompson International Airport. But, at the same time, have mobilised a comprehensive plan under a PPP arrangement to address ongoing development in Abaco.”

Dr Romer said Abaco is the boating capital of the Bahamas, and local businesses should capitalise on that and work to make Abaco the boating capital of the Caribbean.

“Abaco really is the boating capital for The Bahamas and you really have to capitalise on that,” said Dr Romer.

“Each island has its own set of unique attributes. Abaco cannot be a jack of all trades. You’re doing very well now when it comes to boating, and I think you’ve got to drive that. You have to really make Abaco not just the boating capital in the in The Bahamas, but you’ve got to now start going after making it the boating capital in the entire region, so you’ve got to think big picture.”