By FAY SIMMONS
Tribune Business Reporter
jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
MANY tourists visiting The Bahamas regularly are not fazed by recent negative publicity after travel advisories, according to Rafique Symonette, chairman of the Tourism Development Cooperation (TDC).
Speaking to reporters yesterday, he said a key part of combating negative press is supporting local entrepreneurs and tourism stakeholders so that they can showcase The Bahamas and continue to develop new products and experiences.
“Our key thing about that is actually supporting. If we have a good product and we’re able to show and showcase what Bahamians can offer we think that’s going to change the narrative,” said the TDC chairman.
“We have so many guests who come here year after year and they’re not fazed by this knowledge. Right. They just aren’t, they’re still coming back. But if we keep creating innovative experiences and new things for them to experience that will ensure that they come back again and again.”
Mr Symonette said in addition to launching Tourism Incubation Centres for emerging entrepreneurs, the TDC has launched the Hospitality Assured Programme to enhance the skills of stakeholders and is on its third cohort of the lifeguard training programme.
He said: “We’re working on so many different initiatives. One of the specific ones that we’ve done is this Hospitality Assured programme, where we’re trying to bring the skills and tenacity and experience to the entrepreneurs in the hospitality sector and to the employees. The goal is that that will allow us to have a much better tourism product.
“We also have a lifeguarding programme, this is our third cohort of teaching lifeguards to keep the tourists safe, because we think that’s a pivotal part about encouraging people to come to visit us.
Comments
birdiestrachan 6 months, 3 weeks ago
The Fnms were the ones who carried this story they used it as a political tool Mr sands was also talking to Ms charles of the miami hearld the same way they used murders I was expecting cartwright to take victory laps every time a murder occurred this is not the first time the USA issued these warnings but it is the first time it has gone so far
ThisIsOurs 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Noone needed to "carry" the story.
An advisory from the US State Department to be vigilant on travel to The Bahamas, where 7 million US citizens vacation every year, based on a a dramatic rise in murders, doesnt need any help from any Bahamian to raise the volume of the loudspeaker.
The news reporters came to us.
birdiestrachan 6 months, 3 weeks ago
Pseudonym sands why did they come to the Fnm Sands and not the government the lady from the USA embassy said she felt safe this is not the first warning but them fellows used it for political points same as they use murders
TalRussell 6 months, 3 weeks ago
I'd wager 3 ice-cold bottles of [Sands Beer] that Comrades Pintard, Minnis and their band of RedCoats, --- Goin' [put in retirement, --- Demanding that judges, --- Must impose - [Mandatory 'No Bail'] Fox Hill Prison jail time for those [awaiting charges] for [Gun Crimes]. --- Yes?
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