The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckemzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas will open up eight additional gateways for US visitors within the next six to seven weeks, the minister of tourism said yesterday, in a bid to meet 2-4 per cent industry growth targets.

Obie Wilchcombe pledged that his Ministry would continue to work with commercial airlines to ensure there was growth in the tourism industry, noting that it was important to maintain relationships with international carriers - a reference to ongoing negotiations between the Government and commercial airlines over new taxes/fees imposed last summer.

“To guarantee continued growth in airlift we will continuously work with them [airlines] to ensure that we are a growing industry,” Mr Wilchcombe said “What we have to appreciate is that we do have a situation where we are heavily dependent on the international carriers, and so we have to maintain the relationships.

“We want to get Bahamasair involved. Bahamasair is fundamental to our growth and development. Bahamasair can open some new gates. We have to appreciate that for the industry to grow to the levels we want it to grow, 2-4 per cent, we have to have more gates open.”

Mr Wilchcombe added that the Canadian market was serving Grand Bahama well because Sunwing was serving six gates.

“In the United States we’re opening up eight gates in the next six to seven weeks,” he added. “To service those gates we have to have carriers. We have to understand their difficulties and concerns about the pricing at the initial point, and we want to make sure we have an understanding.

“When we think about what the Bahamas requires, we are not only talking about Grand Bahama and New Providence but also San Salvador. Now we will work on some guaranteed causes of new growth.

“In May of this year San Salvador will have direct flights coming from Canada. That’s the first time it’s ever happened. We’re continuing to grow our islands because economic sustainability will help our islands out of the difficulties they are in and cause for growth and development.”