The Tribune

A Cabinet minister is boosting The Bahamas’ presence at the second largest aviation conference in the US as it seeks to attract a greater share of the private pilot market.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured, minister of tourism and aviation, is attending the 45th annual Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo currently taking place in Lakeland, Florida. It attracts more than 200,000 pilots, aviation enthusiasts and media professionals from around the world, and features 500 vendors and over 10,000 airplanes - from homebuilt to war birds.

“The relationship between the Ministry of Tourism and Sun n’ Fun international has been one that is exceptionally beneficial, and we will work together to ensure that it’s a lasting one,” said Mr D’Aguilar.

In 2018, The Bahamas received more than 122,000 private aviation arrivals, with private jet charters generating more than $387m in revenue for this country. This made The Bahamas the Caribbean’s top destination for private aviation.

In 2018, The Bahamas welcomed the highest number of visitors in its history as more than 6.6m persons visited the country, representing an increase of 486,176 visitors over 2017.

The Bahamas will have increased visibility at this year’s Sun ‘n Fun during several planned seminars, dinner receptions, and airshow broadcasts. These will showcase the new Bahamas’ ‘Fly Away’ commercials featuring Bahamian-American rock legend, Lenny Kravitz.

The Ministry of Tourism team will also participate in numerous radio and television broadcasts during the week, including an exclusive 30-minute television broadcast on Florida Aviation Network with Mr D’Aguilar.

As a close-out to Sun ‘n Fun on April 7, some 40 pilots will fly out to Freeport, Cat Island and Treasure Cay, Abaco. Their beach side experiences in The Bahamas will be broadcast and streamed live into Sun ‘n Fun, to further demonstrate and promote The Bahamas’ proximity to the US, its natural beauty and culture, and ease of travel to its islands.