By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor
nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
The Central Bank’s governor says the Bahamas “could triple our return from the cruise industry with two-thirds less” passengers coming to its shores, arguing that passenger numbers were not the best measure of success.
John Rolle told the Chamber of Commerce’s State of the Economy Forum 2017 that the Bahamas needed to design its cruise tourism product “for me first”, meaning that uniquely Bahamian products would be an attraction that “spills over” to foreign visitors.
“I have strong personal views around the cruise industry,” Mr Rolle said, in response to an audience question on Norwegian Cruise Line’s recent decision to switch 25 cruises from Nassau and Freeport to Havana in the 2017 second half.
“We could triple our return from the cruise industry with two-thirds less the amount [of passengers] coming here, because of the incentives we provide to the cruise ships to come here. Headcount is not the best indicator of how the cruise industry is performing.”
The major cruise lines receive tax incentives such as a reduction in departure taxes (cruise passenger head tax) if they exceed volume targets, and are making increased use of their multiple private islands scattered throughout the Bahamas, as opposed to calling on Nassau and Freeport.
This was not lost on Mr Rolle, who said: “We see the cruise ships going more to their private destinations. Even in the Bahamas, there is more competition among destinations.
“There are probably some quick wins in terms of the city of Nassau that we should focus on. My philosophy is to develop Nassau for me first, and then they will come.”
The Central Bank governor pointed to the Arawak Cay ‘Fish Fry’ as an example, explaining that it had first been developed as a destination for Bahamians that ultimately ended up being just as attractive for visitors, wishing to experience local culture and food.
“The bottom line is some of the improvements we need in terms of quality of life improvements, if we focus on the inhabitants first, they will provide ample benefits that spill over to the cruise product,” Mr Rolle said.
Tribune Business revealed Norwegian’s decision to switch the 25 cruises from Nassau and Freeport to Havana, in a bid to both alert Bahamians to the increasing competitive threat posed by Cuba and the potential for other cruise lines to follow its lead.
Norwegian Cruise Lines talked up Cuba, and Havana’s, cultural, historic and other attractions in the statement announcing its 25 cruise-switch. With Cuba having been closed for more than 50 years, many Americans are likely to be attracted to the prospect of exploring a new destination.
And, swiftly following Norwegian’s lead, Carnival Cruise Line - the world’s largest operator - said last week that it had now received approval to sail to Cuba.
Its Carnival Paradise will begin sailing to Havana on select voyages from Tampa, starting in June 2017. The overnight visits to Havana will be featured on 12 four and five-day cruises.
The four-day cruises will depart on June 29, July 13, August 24, September 7 and 21, and October 5 and 19, 2017, as well as May 3, 2018 and include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana.
Five-day voyages will depart on August 14 and 28, September 25 and October 9, 2017, and include a daytime and overnight visit to Havana, as well as a stop in either Cozumel or Key West.
“Cuba is an island jewel unique from anywhere else in the Caribbean, and we are thrilled to have this rare opportunity to take our guests to this fascinating destination,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line’s president.
“The opportunity to visit Havana, combined with the fun, relaxed ambiance and wide variety of amenities and features offered on Carnival Paradise, will make for a truly one-of-a-kind vacation experience.
Comments
John 7 years, 8 months ago
Many travelers are opting for shorter cruises and so rather than seeing Cuba as a threat eventually there can be cruises that go from Florida to Cuba via the Bahamas. And of course the Bahamas is still lacking in activities to cater to the cruise ship tourist. Both Potters Cay and Arawak Cay fish fry has become very popular and even with the introduction of life guards on long Wharf and Montagu, these spots have become popular with tourist. Many want to seem to want to mix and mingle with Bahamians and get the natural sun, sea salt, coconut water and conch salad. which the larger hotels do not supply in their traditional form.
SP 7 years, 8 months ago
....... Blah, Blah, Blah, We've Been Saying This To "Jackass's That Be" For Decades .......
Yes, Mr. Rolle, you too finally understand, we do not need more cruise tourist, we need more resort activities to encourage more shore excursions and increase resort destination spend to $300.00 per head.
Good luck Mr. Rolle, but you won't get anywhere with jack, ass, and crew!
We're done talking to these idiots we have as politicians. Voting them all out and replacing them with a vacuum would be more productive.
banker 7 years, 8 months ago
I have a client who is a US based tourism/cruise consultant based out of Florida. His firm continuously keeps its finger on the pulse of travel, as his clients include both domestic US states and cities, as well as countries around the world.
The 2017 tourism trends that he is identifying through thousands of tourist surveys, analytics from booking sites and travel agent queries are:
1) Unexplored destinations -- this is really hot among baby boomers
2) Trending destinations -- popular destinations shared on social media, Burning Man etc
3) Bucket List destinations -- Bali, China, Italy, Moscow, Seychelles, El Camino walk thru Europe
4) Get out of comfort zone -- AirBnB travel, hostels, lesser developed destinations
5) Adventure/Experience Travel -- ziplining through Costa Rica rainforest canopy, Easter and Galapagos Islands, Biking in the Alps
6) Low travel barriers but exotic - Island of Guam (7,000 miles from Washington in the Pacific Ocean) is enjoying a tourism boom because US citizens do not need special travel documents
7) Environmental Travel -- see Nature's beauties
8) Volunteerism travel -- volunteer to help societies (Global Vision eyeglasses program, teach English, save the elephants in Thailand etc)
9) Cultural Immersion travel -- go to the places that locals go to
10) Highly authentic experiences -- no tourist traps etc.
The business trends are:
(1) Conventional advertising doesn't work
(2) Mobile content marketing is king (tourists read about a destination and can book a trip with a few clicks)
(3) products geared to niche groups -- LGBT, solo women travelers, baby-boomer travel
(4) less luxury and more experience vacations
(5) Integrated booking platforms combining air, hotel and tours
(6) multiple venue vacations - a week's holidays at 3 different B&Bs for example
(7) Once in a lifetime opportunities that teach tourists something about themselves -- wilderness trekking, whitewater kayaking, leadership, testing limits
(8) Multi-generational accommodation and traveling with kids
(9) Full range of resort activities for all ages
(10) Prime focus on offline sales channels.
As you can see, the reason why our tourism is failing is that the times have changed and we haven't. Sun, sand, sea, booze, casino, conch salad and the tropical fruit, and rum daiquiri, no longer cut it.
The only way that we can triple our returns is to sell a tourism product that people really want to buy. We don't have a good one. We do not have what the modern-day tourist wants.
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