The Tribune

The Bahamas used the five-day Palm Beach International Boat Show as a platform to attract more boating and yachting visitors to this destination.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, in a statement, said it exploited the March 19-23 event to reinforce The Bahamas’ position as a sought-after yachting destination. Bahamian officials were able to network, highlight new developments in the boating industry and seek to attract more business to this nation.

The ministry’s yachting department, along with industry partners, hosted a series of meetings with investors and marine industry leaders during the five-day event.

“The Palm Beach International Boat Show offers The Bahamas a wonderful opportunity each year to showcase the extraordinary potential of our islands to a global audience of yachting professionals, owners and enthusiasts,” said John H. W. Pinder, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.

“This year we have successfully captured the attention and imagination of thousands of visitors, showcasing the natural beauty and world class infrastructure that makes The Bahamas the ideal destination for yacht owners, luxury infrastructure development and the global yachting community.”

Recognised as one of the premier events in the global boating calendar, the Palm Beach International Boat Show attracted more than 55,000 attendees. Private sector partners that participated in the show included the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM), Bahamasair, the Bahama Out Island Promotion Board, Bay Street Marina, Bimini Big Game Club & Marina, Bluff House Beach Resort & Marina, the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Norman’s Cay Marina, Palm Cay Marina and Romora Bay Resort & Marina.

Mr Pinder added: “The Palm Beach International Boat Show not only allows us to demonstrate the allure of The Bahamas but also provides a focused opportunity to strengthen our reputation as the regional leader in yachting.

“Throughout the event, we have had a series of highly productive meetings, reinforcing long-term partnerships and cultivating new relationships to help propel The Bahamas’ yachting and boating sectors to even greater heights, ultimately benefiting our broader economy.”