The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

An Exuma resort’s bookings for 2024 to-date are down by between 12-15 percent year-over-year as business “dipped quite a bit” during the fall.

Beverly Brittain, marketing manager for Hideaways at Palm Bay, told Tribune Business that while bookings for the upcoming Christmas holiday period are still behind 2023 comparisons the resort has increased advertisements to attract last-minute travellers.

“We definitely noticed things dipped quite a bit this fall but, overall, we’re about 12 percent to 15 percent down from last year,” said Ms Brittian. “This Christmas we’re a little down from last year. We generally are full through the Christmas holidays, but we do have a couple of spaces still open, which sometimes isn’t a bad thing because there are last-minute bookings.

“We’re just now pushing to fill up these final rooms with some last-minute promotions by putting out to our database, and through social media channels, that we have these spaces available, and they’re a great Christmas gift idea to try and fill up.”

Ms Brittain said upgrading Georgetown International Airport will have a positive effect on Exuma’s tourism industry as it will expand airlift and help drive more traffic to the central and southern Bahamas.

“I think it’ll have a positive effect on our business and others in Exuma. I think guests will appreciate having that option once the airport is open and being a hub. Once the development of the new airport is finished, it will definitely help us and maybe open up for new direct connections,” said Ms Brittain.

“We were excited to hear about the airport, and I guess it’s been in the works for a while, and I think it’ll be great for the other Out Islands as well to give more flight options and airlift as a connector.” Ms Brittain said the improved airport will help spur economic growth in the Family Islands by enabling them to target new markets through direct flights.

“Once they actually get the ball rolling, before we know it, it will be up and going and we will be benefiting from the larger airport and the longer runway,” she added..

“Hopefully it’s as beautiful as they are saying it’s going to be, because I do believe this will make a big difference for the Family islands, not just Exuma, but especially for stopovers to other Out Islands. It will really open up the Out Islands if we can have bigger markets coming in; Dallas, New York, possibly Europe. It will generate some great exposure, so it benefits all of the Out Islands.”

Dr Kenneth Romer, director of aviation, told participants at the Bahama Out Island Promotion Board’s annual meeting that vendors will also benefit from the airport renovations as there will be opportunities for them to sell goods to guests while they wait for their flights.

He said a big part of the Family Island airport designs was to ensure visitors get to experience these destinations from the time they arrive to when they leave. Ms Brittain said all the new activities at the airport will help create marketing opportunities for other businesses in Exuma.

“They’re planning on having more retail space, some restaurants and activities up there that would give us more opportunity to get exposure for our property as well,” she added.