The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Minister of Tourism yesterday described as “successful” talks with Cuban officials over a muti-destination travel arrangement, aimed at helping the Bahamas to capitalise on the surge of visitors expected to flock to that island following rekindled ties with the US.

Obie Wilchcombe, who recently retuned from Cuba, told Tribune Business: “We’re talking to Cuba  about a lot of things, including multi-destination marketing, which has proven to be a successful dialogue so far.

“They have already created brochures for the Bahamas and Cuba. The whole idea is to see how best we are able to cause visitors, who come long distance, to want to take another destination, either beginning in the Bahamas and going into Cuba or beginning in Cuba and coming to the Bahamas.

Mr Wilchcombe added: “With Cuba being  a country that has been able to attract a lot of European travellers and, of course, they have now introduced Asian flights, we will work with them.

“They have made their office available in Europe so that we are able to utilise their office and work with them on a joint marketing effort.”

Mr Wilchcombe said that while air arrivals to the Bahamas are up, the country needs more hotel room inventory.

“We do not have enough hotels rooms,” added Mr Wilchcombe. “Our airlift numbers are very good.”

Mr Wilchcombe said the Government is still working on enhancements to Festival Place at the Nassau cruise port.

“We are trying to begin the formal work internally. The outside work, the roof is now prepared because there was leakage and some other difficulties, but we are working on the inside,”he added.

“Again, it’s about quality. The numbers are incredible when you look at what’s going on at the port, but when people come they want a quality experience. We have to be able to deliver that. If you don’t deliver that you’re going to have an industry people are just going to be passing through.”