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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Top group planners meet at Sandals Royal Bahamian. (File Photo)
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Nassau, Bahamas -
Thirty-five top meeting planners from the United States and Canada recently got the a first-hand look at The Bahamas through a familiarization conference hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board.
According to officials, the aim of the conclave was to attract group business- a growing market within the country’s number one industry.
Senior Manager of Groups Bradley Bosfield in the Ministry of Tourism said the ministry was pleased to participate in this FAM trip.
“What is great about this group is for many of them this is their first experience in the Islands of The Bahamas and they have come with business in hand,” he said.
“What many of the planners are looking for is that unique experience. They are looking for the experience that is outside of the hotels and knowing what the hotels are able to accommodate. They want something where their groups would get to know the people in the destination and that’s what really helps to sell the islands of The Bahamas.”
Mr. Bosfield said many of the planners expressed that they “appreciated” learning more about the culture of The Bahamas.
He added that while Baha Mar is not opened as yet, the mega-resort expects that 40 per cent of its business will be derived from groups.
“Group business is actually the way that hotels set their rates for the individual travel coming through. And with groups, many of them like to go out into the community so it’s a multiplying affect and the dollars will spread around in the destination,” Mr. Brice said.
Vice President of the Nassau/Paradise Promotion Board George Brice said the board conducts FAM trips at least five times a year.
“What we try to do is bring down qualified meeting planners to see and experience the facilities and the amenities that we have to offer,” he said.
“Right now I think we do a pretty good job in exposing them in what we have to offer because our group business has grown over the years. Our overall goal is to watch it grow. If we get the overall business to grow by 25 per cent I think we would be able to maximize our yield.”
Meanwhile some meeting planners said they were impressed with what they saw.
Pam Swank of DPS Incentives said she came to The Bahamas five years ago.
“I’m really impressed by some of the changes that are going on,” she said. “I do a lot of group business in the Caribbean and what I was looking for is something that is convenient to my customer in terms of airlift. I actually have a group that is coming in 2016 from New York. One of the reasons that we chose this is because they hadn’t been to The Bahamas in a long time and we wanted a good all-inclusive property so we were looking forward to that.
“Hearing about all the renovations in the downtown area and all of the properties that are coming into play are things that I can take back to my clients. So for those who have been here 10 years ago – I’ve got something new to offer them.”
Stacy Deantony of John Dear Landscapes said The Bahamas is an ideal destination.
“The people are so friendly. We don’t have to worry about money exchange. It is just an easier destination,” she said.
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