Nassau Cruise Port and Downtown Nassau GO SMART with New Wi-Fi Network

Pictured from left: the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama and Co-Chair of Innovate242 Initiative; the Hon. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Wayde Watson; and Vice President of Aliv Business, Charnette Thompson.   

NASSAU, Bahamas (23 Apr. 2025) – The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, in partnership with Aliv/Cable Bahamas, today launched the first phase of the Smart City Programme in Downtown Nassau that will allow extensive Wi-Fi coverage to Nassau Cruise Port and nearby tourist areas. The launch took place during a press conference at MOTIA’s headquarters, Downtown Nassau.

One of the goals of the programme is getting more cruise passengers to disembark and share in real-time their experiences in the city. This groundbreaking initiative will also position The Bahamas as a regional leader in technology-driven tourism that simultaneously fosters economic growth and sustainability.

The initial phase introduces a robust Wi-Fi network stretching from Nassau Cruise Port to Arawak Cay in the west and to the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge in the east. This turnkey solution enables locals and visitors to access seamless internet connectivity to navigate the city, find attractions and restaurants, stay connected, and enjoy an enhanced digital experience.

The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, said, “The Smart City Programme is a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability in tourism. By harnessing the power of technology, we are creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, enhancing the experiences of our visitors, and setting the stage for a smarter, more connected future for our country.”

The programme creates significant opportunities for businesses to connect with a highly targeted audience. Sponsors will benefit from custom login pages, real-time notifications, and featured placement on the network. Because users must engage with sponsor content to gain access, the platform guarantees visibility and return on investment. The system also increases foot traffic to nearby storefronts and attractions, making it a valuable tool for both marketing and economic development.

“The Smart City Programme is a groundbreaking initiative that showcases the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. It is projects like this that we promote as catalyst for a vibrant technology industry in the Bahamas. We remain confident that we can be the Center for Innovation for the Caribbean,” said the Hon.

Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama and Co-Chair of Innovate242 Initiative.

Wayde Watson, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs said “Today marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Nassau and the broader Bahamas as we proudly launch the Nassau Smart City—an initiative that stands as the first of its kind in our region. This pioneering project not only positions our city at the forefront of smart technology implementation but also serves as a pilot for future smart cities across our nation.”

Beyond sponsor visibility, the platform will collect real-time data on tourist demographics and behaviors. These insights will help shape targeted marketing strategies, inform infrastructure planning, and support the development of small businesses. Future phases will deepen this data intelligence to track visitor engagement trends and ultimately convert more cruise passengers into long-term stayover guests.

“We’re thrilled to launch this project that connects us, quite literally, to six million cruise ship passengers that visit our island,” said Charnette Thompson, Vice President of Aliv Business.

In addition to connectivity, the Smart City initiative will introduce advanced technologies such as AI-powered video monitoring for enhanced security, environmental sensors to monitor air and noise quality, radar-based traffic management, solar energy stations to reduce public energy consumption, beacon alerts in key areas, integration of the recently completed Google Street View experience to allow travelers to visually explore downtown Nassau, and cashless payment systems to streamline the visitor experience.

The launch of this first phase marks the beginning of a larger vision to enhance the programme’s reach and effectiveness. Plans for Phase 2 are underway with the goal of expanding the programme westward beyond Arawak Cay and eastward to additional key areas of Downtown Nassau.

“Tourism is everyone’s business,” added DPM Cooper. “This programme equips our stakeholders with tools to unlock the economic potential of cruise tourism while showcasing The Bahamas as a destination that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation. Our goal is to inspire cruise visitors to explore, engage, and ultimately return as stayover guests.”

For more information about Smart City Initiative please visit www.bahamas.com, www.tourismtoday.com.

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PRESS INQUIRIES:

Danielle Bodie

General Manager

Domestic Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation