The Tribune

Former NBA player turned actor, Rick Fox, recently embarked on a fact-finding mission to Grand Bahama in his new role as a tourism and investment ambassador for the Bahamas.

Recalling how his father operated an ice factory outlet on Grand Bahama, Mr Fox said: “I’ve had a very fortunate career as an athlete, and now it’s time for me to continue to expand

“This phase in my life now is about being more than just that basketball player. It’s nice to be here as a representative of a continued tradition of our family as businessmen.”

Mr Fox was welcomed by Ginger Moxey, the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) vice president, who led the delegation in touring facilities such as the Port Lucaya Marketplace.

“We’re thrilled to be able to showcase potential investment opportunities in Grand Bahama. We’ve dialogued in the past, but this visit allows us to present a first-hand glimpse of diverse areas available for development,” said Mrs Moxey.

Drawing on more than two decades in the entertainment industry, Mr Fox was quick to point out possible linkages between Grand Bahama and the film industry.

He envisioned possibilities for Bahamian screenwriters to have their creative works exposed to a wider audience, and for more films to be shot on location in the Bahamas, particularly in Grand Bahama.

“I think there’s an unbelievable potential. I want to shoot films in the Bahamas. That community is a small one that I am in support of growing,” said Mr Fox.

Government officials, GBPA executives and Mr Fox have partnered on joint marketing trips to key US cities from the start of this year.

In January, they presented at the American Lodging & Investment Summit (ALIS) held in Los Angeles, California. Then in May, they collaborated once again at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami, and then at the recent National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) conference.

NABHOOD President, Andy Ingraham, accompanied Mr Fox during his visit to Grand Bahama, and shares similar ideas and vision for development.

“As a fellow Bahamian, it’s very important to us that we create partnerships. It’s important to be able to look and find opportunities that are ripe in the Bahamas, and particularly ripe in Freeport. So today, our goal is to look and see what the opportunities are,” Mr Ingraham said.

The visiting group also attended youth events in West End as guests of the Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe.

Summing up his visit, Mr Fox said he was able to accomplish two main things – being able to give back to the youngsters, and gaining an even greater insight as to what Grand Bahama has to offer.

“The more I’m educated, the more I can carry the message and actually represent us,” he reiterated.