Category: BHA News

Stern words, and a warning to keep their egos in check, was the first sage advice given to the eight-member team that will represent The Bahamas at the Taste of the Caribbean competition in approximately seven weeks.

“The only thing that I expect and that the Bahamas Hotel Association expects is that you do your best and that you work as a team,” said Frank Comito, executive vice president of the Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA).”

He told hot food chefs Richmond Fowler, Shanique Bodie, Mychal Harris, Charon McKenzie and Jamal Small; Pastry Chef Charlicia Green; Junior Chef Kevyn Pratt and Bartender Hugh Jones that the gelling of the team was probably the most important aspect of the Taste of the Caribbean competition they are preparing, for which takes place June 22-26 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami.
…Continue readingTaking A Taste Of The Bahamas To Miami

IT IS “critical for the Bahamas as a destination” that a “disconcerting” trend that saw the cost of flights from major US hubs to Nassau rise by an average of 41 per cent in February over last year be addressed, said Kerzner International’s Bahamas’ president.
…Continue readingRising Costs Of Travel To Nassau Of Concern To Tourism Industry

FAMILY island resorts are reporting mixed experiences over the first quarter of 2011, with some finding business has declined significantly as others see major boosts of as much as 55 per cent in occupancy.

President of the Out Island Promotion’s Board, Stephen Kappeler, said based on a recent meeting of 10 of the board’s 22 members, it appears that for many family island properties, business was “flat to last year for January and February, March was up quite a bit and April is pacing well too”.

Neither he or the Bahamas Hotel Association could provide hard data about trends in the industry in the family islands at this time. Frank Comito, Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Hotel Association said the BHA is in the process of compiling figures.

…Continue readingMixed Family Island Tourism Reports

The Central Bank has cited reduced occupancy and average room rates as the cause of the revenue contraction.

If any economic recovery in The Bahamas depends on the tourism industry, the nation may have to wait a little longer, as key tourism indicators are showing a 6.1 percent drop-off in hotel revenues on Nassau and Paradise Island for the first two months of 2011.

The news of the year-on-year revenue fall-off in the hotel sector comes at a time when many are hoping for positive signs that a strong economic recovery is underway after the recession the country fell into in 2007. At least for the vital hotel sector, there are good indications of a turnaround in the immediate future, according to Stuart Bowe, president of the Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA).
…Continue readingHotel Sector Recovery Near

Thank You to Members Who Supported Last Year’s Fundraising Activities.

Students interested in pursuing studies in tourism and culinary-related fields are invited to submit applications for scholarships being offered to Bahamians to attend the College of The Bahamas Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute (CHMI), through the Patrick S.G. Bain BHA-BHEA-BHC&AWU Hotel Industry Partners Scholarship Fund.

Applications must be received by April 30th.

Jointly funded by the Bahamas Hotel Association, the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union and the Bahamas Hotel Employers Association, the scholarships are being offered in the name of the respective organizations and in tribute to the late union leader Pat Bain, in recognition of his commitment to education and building business-labour partnerships.

…Continue readingTourism & Culinary Scholarships Available

Bahamians seeking to train for a career in hospitality, and hotels seeking ways to increase their access to the high end market and to improve profits can look to a new, internationally recognized butler and hospitality training facility.
…Continue readingInternationally Rrecognized School To Provide Butler Training