The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AIRFARE costs on Grand Bahama remain a concern for tourism officials here on the island, which has the highest turnaround cost in the Caribbean despite its proximity to the United States.

Betty Bethel, director of Ministry of Tourism, said that the issue must be addressed jointly through a public and private sector arrangement so that Grand Bahama can compete with its rivals.

Air arrivals are down significantly in Grand Bahama. Airlift from 20 gateways in the US and Canada were recently cancelled this year due to the lack of room inventory when two major hotels suffered significant damage following Hurricane Matthew last October.

“Grand Bahama’s proximity to the US should make us a destination of choice…” Ms Bethel said. “This is a natural competitive advantage we should dominate.”

The turnaround cost at Grand Bahama International Airport has been an issue since 2014 when concerns were raised by Tourism Director General David Johnson and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who had reported that the airport cost was 126 per cent higher than anyone else in the region.

While speaking at the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, Ms Bethel said that tourism’s demise or revival in Grand Bahama will depend on the decisions that are made and the actions taken today.

“There will be no quick fixes, Band-Aid, or shoddy repair work, we must move toward sustainable fixes,” she said. “Let us work together for a brand new and improved Grand Bahama Island – tourism is everybody’s business.”

The tourism executive revealed that the Ministry of Tourism is presently designing a new marketing plan for Grand Bahama that includes greater awareness and push for a multiple destination experience for guests.

The new promotion, she explained, is intended to highlight nature-based and cultural products, and place emphasis on sports and religious tourism.

He noted that opportunities exist for new tourism products and urged persons to partner with the Ministry of Tourism in dispelling the myth that there is nothing to do in Grand Bahama.

“There are at least 40 tours and attractions that our guests come and do every day. We’ve got to be proactive in developing more tours and attractions on the island,” she said.

“There are sporting initiatives that we also want to embark on but we need facilities. We are looking for entrepreneurs who want to build that stand alone gymnasium so we can get those basketball events and other events to come here year-round.”

Ms Bethel said that the absence of live entertainment is hurting the destination.

“We need to bring back night-time Bahamian entertainment - that is one of our greatest deficiencies, that we do not have a night life.”

The tourism officials said the island needs some cleaning up.

“Our island is dirty, we’ve got to remove the garbage, paint and repair old buildings, and reinstitute street and directional signage that will add flavour of the destination.”

According to Ms Bethel, the ministry has met with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Environmental Health, and Sanitation Services to discuss a partnership to clean up the island.

“We are part of an aggressive plan called ‘Litter Free’ to address the untidiness of post Hurricane Matthew,” she said.

She talked about the opportunity in the tourism sector about investment in non-traditional and more boutique products that appeal to families and longer staying guests.

“It is time for those who qualify to become true stakeholders of the tourism sector as there is a huge untapped developmental opportunity,” Ms Bethel said.

The Ministry of Tourism, she said, supports second home ownership.

“It is also a known fact that income and taxes generated from second homeownership can be in the triple digits,” she added.

“If we want Grand Bahama to succeed, we must be active participants in the process. We must form alliances and partnerships to engage out of box thinking to plan and execute activities and programmes that will lift the destination and get Grand Bahama back in the marketplace again,” Ms Bethel said.

The Ministry of Tourism also supports a number of initiatives and activities in Grand Bahama.

Some 600 persons are expected to attend Faith Fest on March 24 -26. There will also be a book launch by former Miss Bahamas Darlene Davis-Hord, a family planning seminar and the Dog Days Half Marathon this weekend.

In April, there are plans for Coastal Awareness Month, the Northern Bahamas Sports Symposium, the annual Pelican Point Festival on April 19, the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, West End speedboat race, and the kick-off for Junkanoo Carnival.

In May, the Ministry of Tourism will host the annual Air Show, which was a huge success at last year’s Junkanoo Carnival. Other activities that month include the West End Junior Sailing Regatta, Rugby Fest and the Fire Hearth Food Heritage Festival in East End.

Ms Bethel added that a lacrosse tournament also will be held soon in Grand Bahama and Goombay Summer Festival will begin July 6.