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Last Updated: Oct 9, 2019 - 3:24:27 PM |
Director of Europe Anthony Stuart, Senior Director of Cruise and Maritime Facilitation Carla Stuart and President of the Friends of The Bahamas UK Richard Moir. (Photo/ Superyachts)
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Destination Seeks To Attract Megayachts
Nassau, Bahamas - At the recent Monaco Yacht Show, Tourism officials and stakeholders continued to drive the message that, in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, The Islands Of The Bahamas is open for business.
During the event, which took place September 25 -28, and featured over 600 exhibitors and 125 superyachts, Senior Director of Cruise and Maritime Development Carla Stuart continued the charge:
“The good thing is and what yachters love about The Bahamas is that there are so many diverse islands. Our waters are diverse and remain unchanged despite what the hurricane has done to two of our northern islands,” she said during an interview.
“The people are as hospitable as ever, and willing to receive visitors and just show them a really good time in The Bahamas. The beautiful scenery of The Bahamas remains the same for the most part and we are looking forward to a great season moving forward.”
According to officials, the megayacht industry is worth just over $8 billion.
Spending for a single 50-meter vessel is pegged at $5 million per year.
Booth of The Islands Of The Bahamas booth at Monaco Yacht Show (Photo/Superyachts)
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Vice President of the Association of Bahamas Marinas and General Manager of Romora Bay Joe Dargavage also touted the destination’s capacity for superyachts.
“The Bahamas has come a long way. There was a time when the larger vessels just stayed in the southern Caribbean because at times, they thought that there was a depth issue. But the depth of the waters of The Bahamas is well documented and we get vessels well into the 300-foot range and well into 400 feet in Nassau and Paradise Island. We have the Bay Street Marina, Atlantis and even venturing into the outer islands, you have Harbour Island, which is a huge boating destination,” he explained.
“Even in Exuma, we have amazing anchorage right off the shore and so it makes for a great cruising ground, a great charter destination. The number one thing that people can do to help The Bahamas right now is to come and visit.”
Ms. Stuart explained that the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has entered into a partnership with Acrew – a superyacht program aimed at educating over 13,000 crew members and 2,500 captains.
Recently, 15 of the top influencers at Acrew were hosted to a familiarization trip to The Bahamas in Nassau, Abaco and Eleuthera.
“We tried to make sure that they got familiar with partners in the destination. We want our clients to know what we can offer them throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas and it’s a wonderful thing that interest in The Bahamas continues to be very high,” said Ms. Stuart.
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