{
  "id": 4663949,
  "title": "Bahamas Cruise Record Lifts Caribbean Tourism as Jamaica Fights a Tax Hike",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/bahamas-cruise-record-lifts-caribbean-tourism-as-jamaica-fights-a-tax",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-31T06:46:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Rio Times",
    "slug": "the-rio-times",
    "url": "https://www.riotimesonline.com/bahamas-cruise-record-caribbean-tourism-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bahamas announced a record 10.6 million sea arrivals in 2025, with early indications suggesting 2026 will surpass that milestone. Cruises account for 86.5% of arrivals, more than double the 2019 figure. Jamaica, still grappling with Hurricane Melissa damage, faces a potential tax hike from 10 to 15%, which could hinder its recovery. Only 44% of hotel rooms are occupied, and 5,648 rooms remain closed due to the storm. Jamaica is exploring trade opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago, where its market share has surged 170% since 2019.",
  "summary": "The Bahamas set a sea-arrival record of 10.6 million for 2025, and 2026 is already outpacing it. Jamaica’s hotels, still scarred by Hurricane Melissa, are fighting a tax hike and courting Trinidad and Tobago. The post Bahamas Cruise Record Lifts Caribbean Tourism as Jamaica Fights a Tax Hike appeared first on The Rio Times .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}