The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

DOWNTOWN has the potential to become one of the most powerful destinations in the region if ‘Old Nassau’ is revived’ a well-known architect believes, noting that this nation has lost roughly 30 per cent of its tourism stopover business in less than a decade.

Pat Rahming, of Pat Rahming & Associates, in a presentation to the Nassau Institute last night noted that there is no longer a relationship between the downtown area and the people of Nassau.

“Fifty years ago, the world of the Bahamas passed through downtown. It was as though Downtown Nassau was the Downtown for the whole country. The people of the city followed Market Street to market, and the businesses of the Downtown thrived. It was certainly their central business district,” said Mr Rahming.

“Today there is no relationship at all between the Downtown area and the people of the city of Nassau. It no longer provides the city with a center of commerce, or respect for its history, celebrate its accomplishments or present its culture. What is left of its federal display is threatened by an extreme lack of concern, and the sense of order is the victim of neglect. This is no longer Nassau’s downtown,” Mr Rahming said.

“It is certainly possible to address these shortcomings in the existing downtown, but it would take major surgery and the patient would be changed completely. There is a need to confirm the present Downtown’s true identity as a primary product in our tourism business.”

Mr Rahming noted that between 2005-2012, the Bahamas lost almost 30 per cent of its tourism business, going from almost 1.9 million stopover visitors in 2005 to 1.35 million in 2012.

“During the 90’s stopover visitor arrivals rose a ‘paltry’ 11.9 per cent, while Jamaica’s rose 31.4 per cent. The Dominican Republic’s rose 109 per cent and Cuba’s rose 31.8 per cent, “ Mr Rahming said.

“The reality is our family business is in serious trouble, and any conversation about the development of a significant product offering must centre around the opportunity to rebuild the family business.”

Mr Rahming said old Nassau must become a zone of successful attractions. “Downtown should become Old Nassau as soon as possible. The area has personality. It has history. It has existing elements that support the development of attractions. What it does not have is an attitude towards using those elements to create viable attractions. There is presently no incentive to develop attractions in the area,” he said.

Such a move, Mr Rahming said, would require a plan, an entrepreneurial mindset, as well as education and community buy-in on the opportunities available at an effective tourist destination.

“We acknowledge that it is no longer a downtown but we believe in its potential to become one of the most powerful destinations in the region,” said Mr Rahming.