A new vision for Bahamian tourism
Tourism has been the backbone of the Bahamian economy for the past 50 years. There is no doubt that Tourism will continue to be the major engine of growth to fuel the development for the Bahamian economy. The Progressive Liberal Party and the Government of The Bahamas realise the importance of tourism to the future prospects of the country and have set the Bahamian tourism product on a course of revitalisation and sustainability.
Tourism is the largest and most competitive industry the world-over and this PLP Government has taken considerable steps to ensure that The Bahamas remains a dominant force in regional tourism and that the product is improved to meet the challenges of fierce international competition. As opposed to glossing over and ignoring the challenges and weaknesses of The Bahamian tourism, as was customary under the Ingraham administration, the PLP government has sought to address the major issues facing Bahamian tourism.
Prime Minister Christie and the PLP government have sought to diversify the Bahamian tourism product to ensure that The Bahamas truly becomes a destination of many distinct and flourishing locations. The diversification of our tourism product is definitely underway. This is evident by the government's decision to create new niche markets of visitors by courting the religious and African-American markets. Further, this is even more evident in the new touristic projects taking root throughout our archipelago which has a mixture of second homes and condo-tells, which should go to further strengthened the overall tourism product.
We are all aware of the opening of the Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma, the repositioning of that island as a touristic gem, along with the development that is underway on Crab Cay, will all go to transform Exuma as a new touristic mecca. The recently unveiling of a major project for the island of Eleuthera will no doubt go to transform it to its glory days. Several other resorts and touristic developments are presently on the board for Eleuthera and these too, when signed, will create a new sustainable economy on that island. Club Med is again up and running and doing an extremely well in San Salvador. The recent signing of the Heads of Agreement for the $90 Million touristic project in Rum Cay is in fact a telling sign of the kind of development that continue to be attracted to these islands. Not to be left out, Abaco is also experiencing a tourism renaissance with the present construction of the Carneghie Club Resort and Golf Club on that island. After a long period of inactivity under the former administration, the Bimini Bay project has been moving forward in earnest.
Grand Bahama, which experienced a tourism collapse under Hubert Ingraham and the FNM, is being repositioned for an economic rebirth. The Isle of Capri Casino was recently opened on that island and there are plans for the touristic development of both the entire east and west ends of that island. Undoubtedly, the government is working feverishly to make these projects a reality. Along with the increased promotional support being given to Grand Bahama by the Ministry of Tourism there is no doubt that the island is well poised to experience significant growth in its annual arrivals.
The Southern islands also feature in the PLP's tourism diversification initiative. Recently the government was proud to announce the signing of a Heads of Agreement for a resort development in Crooked Island. There are also many touristic projects in the pipeline for Andros and many of our island jewels. The Bahamas is truly becoming a destination of destinations and through diversification our touristic product will undoubtedly be unique and first class. Indeed, this is the product of visionary leadership and proper and well-thought out tourism planning by our PLP government.
Nassau has always been the anchor of the Bahamas' tourism product and Prime Minister Christie and his government have taken steps to ensure that the weaknesses are addressed. Paramount on the government's agenda is the revitalisation of the Cable Beach Strip which once stood as a regional gem.
Government has also played a major role in facilitating plans for the revitalisation of Downtown Nassau. We cannot ignore the fact that many tourists find our capital city dirty and lacking in terms of cultural activity and a diversity of shopping and other experiences. It is the aim of this PLP government to redevelop the City of Nassau and as such create a city that tourists and Bahamians are able to fully enjoy. This is also part and parcel of the government's intent to increase tourist spending in the city of Nassau.
=The Downtown revitalisation initiative is being spearheaded by the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation in partnership with the Bay Street Merchants Association and the exercise will kick off with a two-week charette as part of EDAW's annual Summer Student Programme. EDAW is one of the world's leading land-based design and planning firms. This speaks well to the government's resolve to return Nassau to its former glory.
Many visitors to our shores often complain that The Bahamas is overly Americanised. In this regard, the government of Prime Minister Christie has moved to showcase and promote Bahamian culture as much as possible through our tourism product. This is evident through the increased number of cultural festivals organised under the PLP.
Minister Wilchcombe and the Ministry of Tourism have launched a new innovative and dynamic marketing campaign which skillfully highlights the many island destinations that comprise The Bahamas and promotes the concept of island hopping. The Ministry has also been successful in increasing airlift to The Bahamas through the introduction of direct flights from Detroit and has negotiated with Virgin Airlines to offer direct flights between The Bahamas and the UK beginning shortly.
The Ministry also held the First National Tourism Conference this past January. The conference provided all stakeholders with the opportunity to shape and impact the direction of the Bahamian tourism product. This conference was indeed a first and enabled the various stakeholders to play their rightful role as respected partners in our nation's tourism development.
As international competitiveness increases with regards to tourism, there is no doubt that our Progressive Liberal Party government is positioning our tourism product to not just compete but to hold its own. Tourism is the lifeline of the Bahamian economy and as such is receiving the attention it deserves from the Government of The Bahamas. After years of neglect, in which Mr. Ingraham and his Ministers of Tourism allowed the product to become run-down and uncreative, we are privileged to have such visionary leadership during these trying times.
(This article is the product of the Progressive Liberal Party and was authored by the Progressive Young Liberals. Your comments are welcomed. Please visit us at HYPERLINK "http://www.myplp.com" www.myplp.com or call us at PLP Headquarters at 325-5492. © All rights reserved.)
