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No new updates have surfaced about the planned airport developments for the Family Islands, with at least one chamber of commerce chief saying the initial excitement about the project has now turned into doubt. President of the Long Island Chamber of Commerce, Mario Cartwright, told Guardian Business that complete silence has filled the air when it comes to the topic of revamping the Deadman’s Cay airport on the island, dampening spirits on the island to become a tourist destination.
…Continue readingSlow Take Off For Airport Projects

The Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) and the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) are ramping up security at major hotels and resorts in a multi-million dollar effort to safeguard the country’s most precious industry.

At the heart of the initiative is a $7 million contract to install cameras, which will be awarded to a local firm by the end of the month.

Quinn McCartney, deputy commissioner of the RBPF, and the chairman of a committee behind the CCTV program, told Guardian Business that his department has narrowed the field down to seven companies competing for a very lucrative contract.

“We are sifting through the proposals and soon we’ll decide who will be rewarded with the contract,” he said.

“After that we send our recommendation to the Ministry of National Security for final consideration. We want to make sure we keep our tourists safe, along with Bahamians and local businesses.”

…Continue readingBHA Collaborates For Tourist Safety

Tourism sector seeks to bridge the language gap

The latest hotel preparation for South American visitor growth, beyond just 2 percent of total arrivals, has absolutely nothing to do with adding bedrooms — and more to do with classrooms.

…Continue readingSpanish Training In Hotels

Visitor performance in the first half of 2011 experienced an upturn according to the latest Central Bank report, with total arrivals increasing by 14.8 percent up to April. The latest figures were found in the Central Bank’s Monthly Economic Financial Developments (MEFD) June report, which also further revealed the uptick in air and sea travel.

“In April, total visitor arrivals firmed by 14.8 percent, buoyed by a 2.8 percent hike in air arrivals — the first monthly increase for the year — and steady gains in sea visitors of 19.2 percent,” the report stated.

“All of the major destinations recorded improvements, with total arrivals to New Providence up by 6.1 percent and double digit gains in both Grand Bahama and the Family Islands, of 16.1 percent and 29.8 percent, respectively.”

The first half visitor performance also translated into increased hotel revenues for local properties, with Frank Comito, the Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA), saying the 5.8 percent growth in room rates could be attributed to the busier travel period and various tourism initiatives.
…Continue readingCentral Bank Reports Shows Tourism Spike

Two of the Bahamas Hotel Association’s (BHA) partners in developing the tourism industry’s talent pool awarded $65,000 in scholarships to 13 students pursuing a variety of tourism-related career paths yesterday.

The presentations were made at a special ceremony during the BHA’s bi-monthly board meeting, held at Graycliff’s Humidor Restaurant.  Teaming up with the BHA for the scholarship awards were the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) and The College of The Bahamas (COB).

Representing Minister of Education Desmond Bannister, that ministry’s Permanent Secretary Elma Garraway said no longer do students view the tourism industry as viable only for unskilled workers.  Today, she said, with over 100 career paths available of which 20 percent are in management, the industry is providing well-compensated and prestigious jobs for top-achieving Bahamians.
…Continue reading$65k Awarded In Tourism Scholarships

THE Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) yesterday signed an agreement with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) to launch training and certification programmes which, according to BHA executive vice-president Frank Comito, is a move towards strengthening the hotel sector labour force.
…Continue readingBHA Signs Agreement With Educational Institute