Photo: David Mackey/Mackey Media Ltd.

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas— The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB) held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, December 1, 2015. In a strong sign of confidence reflected by the Board members, Chairman Russell Miller and all Board Executives positions were uncontested. Along with Mr. Miller as Chairman (CEO, Modalena Limited), Mr. Benjamin Davis (General Manager, Grand Lucayan Beach & Golf Resort) – Vice Chairman, Mrs. Jackie Carroll (Resort Manager, Old Bahama Bay Resort) – Secretary and Mr. Gabriel Varela, General Manager (Memories Grand Bahama) – Treasurer were all returned to office to serve for another year.

In Mr. Miller’s address to the Board members following his re-election, he expressed his deep appreciation for their continued confidence in his leadership. Mr. Miller also advised that goals for the way forward are clear and are consistent with our Mission Statement: “To serve as one unified voice for the Tourism Sector on Grand Bahama, strengthen the Grand Bahama Island Tourism economy, continue to proactively promote members' businesses for economic growth; and to collaborate with all tourism stakeholders while achieving organizational financial independence”.

Mr. Rembert Albury, Executive Vice President for the GBITB reported that at the end of October 2015 current rooms available on Grand Bahama increased by 12.44%, which is due to Memories Grand Bahama opening up in February of last year and the Grand Lucayan Resort utilizing rooms in the Light House Point section of the resort during sold out periods of the year.

Room Nights Sold increased over last year by 37.64% and Occupancy percentage went from 55.25% to 67.36%, an increase of 12.38%.

International arriving Passengers stood at 153,938 compared to 91,360 and 121,460 for the years 2013 and 2014 respectively. An increase of 62,308 or 68% compared to 2013 and 32,478 or 26.74% when compared to 2014. “We are projecting to end 2015 with 200,000 International arriving passengers”.

“Grand Celebration, Sunwing and Vacation Express are all key partners that have proven to be invaluable to the destination’s success, as they account for 65% of the Tourism business generated to the Island”.

“Carefully crafted strategies takes the overall destination into consideration, allowing for more Tourism purveyors to also benefit from the successes, i.e. Taxi Drivers, Straw Vendors, Restaurants etc.”, says Chairman Miller. “It is our goal to restore our International arriving passenger numbers to pre-hurricane levels of 2004, which were approximately 400,000 passengers”.

Mr. Miller further advises that “for the destination to build on these current successes we will need to focus on ensuring that the guest experience continues to improve, so that we increase our perceived value, which will ultimately positively impact our average daily rate. Improved product with exceptional guest experiences and services will dictate the trajectory of our average daily rate”.

The Chairman’s year-end report highlighted a number of accomplishments. Among them were: Improvements to areas that impacted the visitor experience, such as the esthetics to three businesses at Smith’s Point - Penny’s, Da Bus Stop and Outriggers. Also, the drafting of a strategic plan for the organization which provides a clear road map to the future for Tourism on Grand Bahama Island.

The re-elected Board Members are looking forward to continuing in their elected capacity as they are now able to build on the successes the destination has seen in the last few years.

On hand to mark this occasion was the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’ Director General, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu; Deputy Director General, Mr. Tommy Thompson and Mrs. Betty Bethel, Director Tourism (GBI).

The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board

The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board serves as one unified voice to strengthen the Grand Bahama Island tourism economy, proactively promote members’ businesses for economic growth and collaborate with all tourism stakeholders while achieving organizational financial independence. The board consists of the major hotel developments and a diverse base of Allied Members representing the core product offerings of Grand Bahama Island.