But the real future was tourism. After World War II, the Caribbean became a playground for wealthy Americans. The Bahamas, with its proximity to Florida, its duty-free shopping, and its promise of sun, sea, and sand, was perfectly positioned. Sir Stafford Sands, a powerful minister, rewrote tax laws to attract foreign investment. Developers like Huntington Hartford (on Hog Island, now Paradise Island) and Wallace Groves (on Grand Bahama, building the city of Freeport) poured in money. In the 1950s and 60s, tourists arrived by the hundreds of thousands, then millions. The Bahamas transformed from a poor sponge-fishing economy into a wealthy, service-oriented one.
A chaotic, colorful hub where locals weave straw hats, bags, and dolls. Haggling is expected. Queen's Staircase: A historical monument carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 18th century. Paradise Island: Connected by two bridges, this is home to the infamous Atlantis Paradise Island . The resort dominates the skyline with its massive water slides, open-air marine habitats (containing over 50,000 aquatic animals), and the largest casino in the Caribbean. Bahamas