The Tribune

Members of the Ministry of Tourism in Exuma recently took time out to share in a worship experience at Ebenezer Union Baptist Church in Rolleville.

Emmett Saunders, senior manager of the Exuma Tourism Office was accompanied by staff members Tamika Rolle, Michelle McKenzie, Rhonda Ingraham and Lashanna Rolle. Together, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the BahamaHost training programme during the service.

Mr Saunders, a founding member of the programme which was launched in 1978, said their goal is to become the destination with the most returning visitors. The newly structured BahamaHost will introduce a six-year foreign language course into the programme.

Island Administrator Preston Cunningham said God has been good to the Bahamas, and more than good to Exuma.

Rev Stephen Smith encouraged those in attendance to bind together as a community to further enhance the tourism product of Exuma. He said the generation before laid a good foundation and took ownership of the island and its economy.

He said in Psalm 100, David advises people to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. "Worship is a part of our culture. Six days should you work but the seventh day is a day of worship. We must serve people, our tourists, as unto the Lord. We must greet our visitors at the airport with pleasant smiles and kind words. We must warmly embrace them and give good service by going the extra mile. We must gracefully and patiently serve them in our restaurants. Everything should not just be about the dollar. Let us trust in the Lord and lean not to our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge him and He shall direct our path," sad Rev Smith.