Chester Cooper was sworn in on 18SEP as the Minister of Tourism, Investment & Aviation, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas following the country's most recent election.
The ceremony to announce the new appointment took place at Baha Mar’s Convention Centre, due to extensive renovations being performed at Government House.
"In my role, I will be resolutely focused on creating an investment friendly environment, growing our industries and our economy to create jobs and opportunities for our people," Cooper stated at the ceremony.
Cooper will be serving in the cabinet of The Bahamas' newest Prime Minister, Philip Davis. Cooper's previous experience includes serving as chairman and CEO of BAF Global Group, and president and CEO of BAF Financial and Insurance LTD, according to Caribbean Journal. He was also the inaugural chairman of the Bahamas' Insurance Advisory Committee, and the founding director of The Bahamas Venture Fund.
According to the UNWTO, the Bahamas saw 7.25 million foreign visitor arrivals 2019, up by 9.7 per cent from 2018. Three quarters of those arrivals corresponded to same-day visitors, which include cruise passengers.
Six cruise line private islands are located in the country, including Castaway Cay by Disney Cruise Lines; Half Moon Cay from Holland America Line; Great Stirrup Cay by Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cay by Princess Cruises; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve from MSC.
