Bahamas Tourism Officials were in Toronto Thursday afternoon.
The best way to help the Bahamas is to visit the Bahamas. And to send your clients there.
The message from Bahamas Tourism officials in Toronto was extremely clear at a Thursday lunch.
“We’re battered. We’re bruised. But we’re not broken. And we’re already on the rebound.”
When Hurricane Dorian slammed into the northern islands of the Bahamas on September 1, it unleashed 48 hours of catastrophic damage. Tourism officials on Thursday showed videos of the hurricane’s wrath to journalists and travel trade types.
That damage, however, is only part of the story. Some hotels in the northern Bahamas have already re-opened. But the bigger issue is that MOST of the Bahamas weren’t affected by Dorian at all.
Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar jokingly called reports of the Bahamas demise “fake news.”
On a more serious note, the minister noted that the island nation is almost 1,000 kilometers long. The hurricane was only 125 km’s in diameter and only hit the most northerly islands in the archipelago. Popular tourist spots such as Paradise Island and Baha Mar on Nassau weren’t affected. Ditto for Exuma Cay, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Bimini and other popular destinations for visitors. The famous swimming pigs of Exuma barely batted an eyelash when Dorian arrived.
Bahamas Tourism in Toronto, Nov. 21, 2019.
D’Aguilar said more than 50% of the Bahamas Gross Domestic Product comes from tourism and that two of three jobs in the island nation are tourism related.
“About 90% of the tourism infrastructure was not impacted” by Dorian, he said. “We’re still ready to welcome visitors and still able to deliver the tropical getaway they’re dreaming of.”
Officials said Canadian visits were up 14% in 2018 and that Canadian tourism numbers were up 10% in 2019 when the hurricane hit. Inquires slumped right after the storm, but interest in visiting the Bahamas is picking up nicely.
“There’s no better time to go to the Bahamas than now,” D’Aguilar said. “The best way to help the Bahamas is to the visit the Bahamas.”
The Bahamas has a number of distinct regions and attractions, ranging from those famous swimming pigs on Exuma to the quiet and solitude of Long Island. I was lucky enough to spend a few hours on Eluethera about 14 months ago and found it a magical island with surprising geography and super-friendly locals.
The famous swimming pigs of Exuma, The Bahamas.
The Bahamas also are easy to reach, with three-hour, non-stop flights from eastern Canada.
THE BAHAMAS MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND AVIATION JOIN FORCES WITH VIP HOTEL AND TOUR OPERATOR DELEGATION FOR LARGEST MEDIA BLITZ IN BTO CANADA HISTORY!
Efforts to strengthen relationship between Bahamas and Canada expected to yield positive results with media blitz in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto
Vancouver, Canada ( November 18th, 2019)- The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation delegates lead by Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, as well as numerous industry partners took media outlets and tour operators in Canada on a whirlwind tour of the Islands of the Bahamas, solidifying the messaging of the Bahamas being a viable destination for the Canadian tourists, despite the impact of Hurricane Dorian. “Following Hurricane Dorian, we felt that it was absolutely critical to come and let the Canadian market know that we are open for business and to introduce The Bahamas to new aspects of the Canadian market,” remarked Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Director General, Joy Jibrilu, “as far west as Vancouver, there is huge potential to market the country.”
OAS Secretary General tours Hurricane Dorian-devastated areas on Abaco and Grand Bahama
NASSAU, The Bahamas - His Excellency Luis Almagro, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, officially visited Hurricane Dorian impacted areas of East Grand Bahama and North Abaco on Saturday, November 9, 2019. He was officially led on tour by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Peter Turnquest; Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Darren Henfield; and Permanent Secretary, Jack Thompson, Disaster Coordinator for Abaco. Pictured l-r: His Excellency Almagro, Minister Henfield, and Minister Turnquest.
Prime Minister Minnis to officially open Embassy of The Bahamas and Mission to the European Union in Belgium
Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis will travel to Brussels, Belgium, on Monday 11 November 2019 to take part in the official opening of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Mission to the European Union, the Cabinet Office has announced.
The Governor General Paid Last Respects at Lying in State of Former Senator, Dr. Calsey Johnson
At the official lying-in-state of Former Senator, veteran Broadcaster and Diplomat, the late Dr. Calsey Johnson, Governor General His Excellency the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith paid last respects and signed the Book of Condolence, at the Senate, on Thursday, November 7, 2019.
(BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson)
