The Tribune

The Ministry of Tourism held a series of virtual sales missions during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to maintain The Bahamas’ status as a top destination with the US and Canadian travel industries.

Officials participated in online events such as webinars, virtual travel shows, virtual trip simulations and live social media sessions to ensure this nation’s market presence was maintained ahead of the July 1 re-opening to international commercial travel.

To prepare for that date, the Ministry of Tourism brought together all its international partners in the US and Canada for two days of virtual meetings hosted by director-general, Joy Jibrilu.

“While grappling with the effects of COVID-19, all travel was put on hold”, said Mrs Jibrilu, “but we remained committed to providing our travel suppliers, travel agent communities, key meeting planners and destination wedding planners, flying ambassadors, boating community and all of our other business partners with the resources and information they needed to assure new and returning guests we would be ready once the world was ready to travel again.

“Now, more than ever, we need to show our partners just how important they are since we will be calling upon them to help bring tourists back to our shores the moment it is safe to do so.”

Bob Duglin, vice-president of the International Membership and Host Agencies for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), an advocacy group for the travel trade industry, said: “It was very uplifting to hear from director-general Joy Jibrilu that the islands of The Bahamas will be safely opening soon to travellers from North America.

“Getting to The Bahamas is so easy with non-stop flights from the US. People can get from their home to the beach in a matter of hours.”

Elvi Cal, vice-president of product development, Travel Brands Canada, said: “Thanks so much for extending the invitation to today’s presentation. Joy did a great job in explaining the BTO’s plans and the different phases of reopening. Thrilled to see BTO (Bahamas Tourist Office) very proactive and already thinking of marketing this fall.”