The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Government is aiming to begin talks with its Trinidad counterpart over a possible relationship between Caribbean Airlines and Bahamasair, in a bid to increase regional connectivity and tourism distribution.

Speaking following his address at the opening of the 2014 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) conference, Prime Minister Perry Christie said: “The obligation of the Government of the Bahamas is to develop the Bahamas.

“In the process, our obligation is to know that the people of the world look to the Caribbean as a region, as a destination in itself, and they do not distinguish sometimes between the countries; they say we want to go to the Caribbean.

“To that extent we have bought into the proposition by our own involvement in agencies in the region that we are only as strong as our weakest destination. I have always been a voice for the Caribbean taking advantage of this access. I have never shuddered on that,” the Prime Minister said.

“I’m hoping to commission talks soon with the Prime Minister’s designated representative in Trinidad on the airline to determine whether or not there can be any relationship between Caribbean Airlines, and Bahamasair.”

Mr Christie added: “Clearly, there are regional efforts that make a lot of sense. When someone says I live in the Dominican Republic, and for me to come to the Bahamas I have to go via Miami, when we’re only an hour and 10 minutes away, that tells you what kind of situation we’re dealing with. We are promoting the Bahamas and, at the same time, we know our obligation to the region and to continue to support regional efforts.”

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said: “When we went to South Africa, we met with the prime minister of Trinidad & Tobago, and discussed with them the possibility of Caribbean Airlines.

“We went from Trinidad to Brazil in 13 hours, then from Brazil to South Africa. Well, can it be the hub? Can it be the hub from that part of the world for the Caribbean? Can we create a connectivity that allows me to land in Trinidad, and then you distribute throughout the Caribbean, certainly to the Bahamas, because we need more direct flights. If you are going to open more gates, that’s the only way that your business is going to grow.”

Mr Wilchcombe added: “Our greatest success is with the United States. We have been able to do well, but you have to think about how we create greater demand. As long as you have a demand, the industry will grow.

“We’ve got to always open up new gates, and as we open new gates we open up inventory, and then more opportunities happen. The more that we can do that, the more it can work.”

Mr Wilchcombe said Bahamasair must become a bigger part of the the country’s tourism efforts. “It must help us open more gates,” he said.

“First and foremost, how do we cause for airlift, and that is why we have to think of our national flag carrier. How do we ensure that our national flag carrier is a participant in what we do? That’s one thing. Then you have to have inventory. You always have to renew the inventory. Inventory is fundamental, just like how we’re seeing at Baha Mar now, Atlantis was back in the 1990s.

“What you’re seeing is how we’re going to continue to improve Grand Bahama; you’re seeing the lift. People come here for tourism but they want to celebrate who you are, our culture. So throughout our country, islands must identify themselves, and we must define them as these particular islands with unique experiences.”