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A new vision for
Bahamian tourism
Tourism has been
the backbone of the Bahamian economy for the past 50
years. There is no doubt that Tourism will continue to
be the major engine of growth to fuel the development
for the Bahamian economy. The Progressive Liberal
Party and the Government of The Bahamas realise the
importance of tourism to the future prospects of the
country and have set the Bahamian tourism product on a
course of revitalisation and sustainability.
Tourism is the
largest and most competitive industry the world-over
and this PLP Government has taken considerable steps
to ensure that The Bahamas remains a dominant force in
regional tourism and that the product is improved to
meet the challenges of fierce international
competition. As opposed to glossing over and ignoring
the challenges and weaknesses of The Bahamian tourism,
as was customary under the Ingraham administration,
the PLP government has sought to address the major
issues facing Bahamian tourism.
Prime Minister
Christie and the PLP government have sought to
diversify the Bahamian tourism product to ensure that
The Bahamas truly becomes a destination of many
distinct and flourishing locations. The
diversification of our tourism product is definitely
underway. This is evident by the government's decision
to create new niche markets of visitors by courting
the religious and African-American markets. Further,
this is even more evident in the new touristic
projects taking root throughout our archipelago which
has a mixture of second homes and condo-tells, which
should go to further strengthened the overall tourism
product.
We are all aware of
the opening of the Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma, the
repositioning of that island as a touristic gem, along
with the development that is underway on Crab Cay,
will all go to transform Exuma as a new touristic
mecca. The recently unveiling of a major project for
the island of Eleuthera will no doubt go to transform
it to its glory days. Several other resorts and
touristic developments are presently on the board for
Eleuthera and these too, when signed, will create a
new sustainable economy on that island. Club Med is
again up and running and doing an extremely well in
San Salvador. The recent signing of the Heads of
Agreement for the $90 Million touristic project in Rum
Cay is in fact a telling sign of the kind of
development that continue to be attracted to these
islands. Not to be left out, Abaco is also
experiencing a tourism renaissance with the present
construction of the Carneghie Club Resort and Golf
Club on that island. After a long period of inactivity
under the former administration, the Bimini Bay
project has been moving forward in earnest.
Grand Bahama, which
experienced a tourism collapse under Hubert Ingraham
and the FNM, is being repositioned for an economic
rebirth. The Isle of Capri Casino was recently opened
on that island and there are plans for the touristic
development of both the entire east and west ends of
that island. Undoubtedly, the government is working
feverishly to make these projects a reality. Along
with the increased promotional support being given to
Grand Bahama by the Ministry of Tourism there is no
doubt that the island is well poised to experience
significant growth in its annual arrivals.
The Southern
islands also feature in the PLP's tourism
diversification initiative. Recently the government
was proud to announce the signing of a Heads of
Agreement for a resort development in Crooked Island.
There are also many touristic projects in the pipeline
for Andros and many of our island jewels. The Bahamas
is truly becoming a destination of destinations and
through diversification our touristic product will
undoubtedly be unique and first class. Indeed, this is
the product of visionary leadership and proper and
well-thought out tourism planning by our PLP
government.
Nassau has always
been the anchor of the Bahamas' tourism product and
Prime Minister Christie and his government have taken
steps to ensure that the weaknesses are addressed.
Paramount on the government's agenda is the
revitalisation of the Cable Beach Strip which once
stood as a regional gem.
Government has also
played a major role in facilitating plans for the
revitalisation of Downtown Nassau. We cannot ignore
the fact that many tourists find our capital city
dirty and lacking in terms of cultural activity and a
diversity of shopping and other experiences. It is the
aim of this PLP government to redevelop the City of
Nassau and as such create a city that tourists and
Bahamians are able to fully enjoy. This is also part
and parcel of the government's intent to increase
tourist spending in the city of Nassau.
=The Downtown
revitalisation initiative is being spearheaded by the
Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation in
partnership with the Bay Street Merchants Association
and the exercise will kick off with a two-week
charette as part of EDAW's annual Summer Student
Programme. EDAW is one of the world's leading
land-based design and planning firms. This speaks well
to the government's resolve to return Nassau to its
former glory.
Many visitors to
our shores often complain that The Bahamas is overly
Americanised. In this regard, the government of Prime
Minister Christie has moved to showcase and promote
Bahamian culture as much as possible through our
tourism product. This is evident through the increased
number of cultural festivals organised under the PLP.
Minister Wilchcombe
and the Ministry of Tourism have launched a new
innovative and dynamic marketing campaign which
skillfully highlights the many island destinations
that comprise The Bahamas and promotes the concept of
island hopping. The Ministry has also been successful
in increasing airlift to The Bahamas through the
introduction of direct flights from Detroit and has
negotiated with Virgin Airlines to offer direct
flights between The Bahamas and the UK beginning
shortly.
The Ministry also
held the First National Tourism Conference this past
January. The conference provided all stakeholders with
the opportunity to shape and impact the direction of
the Bahamian tourism product. This conference was
indeed a first and enabled the various stakeholders to
play their rightful role as respected partners in our
nation's tourism development.
As international
competitiveness increases with regards to tourism,
there is no doubt that our Progressive Liberal Party
government is positioning our tourism product to not
just compete but to hold its own. Tourism is the
lifeline of the Bahamian economy and as such is
receiving the attention it deserves from the
Government of The Bahamas. After years of neglect, in
which Mr. Ingraham and his Ministers of Tourism
allowed the product to become run-down and uncreative,
we are privileged to have such visionary leadership
during these trying times.
(This article is
the product of the Progressive Liberal Party and was
authored by the Progressive Young Liberals. Your
comments are welcomed. Please visit us at
www.myplp.com or call us at PLP Headquarters at
325-5492. & copy; All rights reserved.)
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