Tourism stakeholders meet to discuss way forward

“Stakeholders agreed that increased and sustained marketing by the private and public sector would be critical for the destination to recover and regain momentum going into, and continuing through 2020,” the statement noted.

“Presentations by the promotion boards and BMOT (Bahamas Ministry of Tourism) aptly illustrated that public and private sector marketing efforts were cohesive in their messaging; heralding the strength and resilience of The Bahamas as efforts to rebuild and restore were active and dynamic in both Grand Bahama and Abaco; and that the majority of islands in the archipelago are ready, willing and able to welcome visitors.

“In addition, collective messaging spoke to the fact that the influx of tourism dollars was an effective and necessary form of aid and relief for the country.”

The BHTA, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, the Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism met at the British Colonial Hilton to collectively examine the state of the country’s tourism industry.

The group outlined the marketing strategies that will be used to “ensure global markets understand the majority of islands in The Bahamas are open for business”.

“While tourism stakeholders acknowledged that forward bookings were off-pace, the general sentiment was hopeful, if not optimistic, that the pace would accelerate as high season approached, and already-active marketing and promotional efforts were ramping up even further in advance of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the first quarter of 2020,” the statement noted.

Chester Robards
The Nassau Guardian
October 22, 2019

Caption: Tourists outside the Lynden Pindling International Airport.