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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Tourism executives and The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board meets with a potential partner. (Photo: Syann Thompson, Bahamas High Commission London)
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London, England - Tourism executives ending the year strong with its final international promotion to close out 2016. The Ministry of Tourism climaxing its year on a high note with its final international trade show, World Travel Market in London, England.
The Ministry of Tourism has been making its presence felt all year long especially in key markets throughout the world including niche areas such as destination weddings and group incentive business.
“It is always important for The Bahamas to be represented at major trade shows and World Travel Market is one of the largest. This is also provides public relations opportunities where we get to feature The Bahamas. The Minister and the Director General at these events are very busy with media interviews and meetings potential partners,” said Mr. Tommy Thompson, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Tourism.
Stakeholders from The Bahamas joining in with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism include The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Atlantis Paradise Island, Comfort Suites, Melia’, The Warwick Hotel, Tiamo Resort and Majestic Tours.
Director of Europe, Anthony Stuart stated that 2016 proved to be a successful year for The Islands of The Bahamas out of the United Kingdom, where business is up by twenty percent. World Travel Market is one of the avenues of planning for 2017. One of those initiatives is the first scheduled flight from Paris to San Salvador allowing visitors to travel direct from Paris to The Bahamas. There are also plans to use the Bahamian domestic airlines to connect San Salvador to Exuma, Long Island, Cat Island and Nassau.
Minister of Tourism, The Honourable Obie Wilchecombe meets with Alpitour on ventures for Grand Bahama. (Photo: Syann Thompson, Bahamas High Commission London)
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“World Travel Market 2016 was a very successful event for The Islands of The Bahamas. We had great meetings with a number of our tour operators and some potential operators. Starting in May 2017, Italian tour operator Alpitour will not only continue its successful Milan - Grand Bahama, but will extend the length of the program. Alpitour is also considering adding new Bahamas destinations to its program in 2018. We also had meetings with a number of German carries about a direct flight from Frankfurt to Nassau. We also met with Emirates Holidays from Dubai, who will add Nassau to its program in connection with its new daily Fort Lauderdale flight,”
“2017 is shaping up to be a strong year for The Bahamas. We are looking to increase our business from Russia and other points in Eastern Europe as the economy there is showing signs of improvement. With the signing of the visa waiver program with the United Arab Emirates, we will be targeting this market for both leisure and business travel. In November, we will launch weekly service from Germany to Nassau. We are looking to increase the business from meeting & incentive market out of the UK as well,” said Mr. Stuart.
Left to right: Mr. Rick Chominski, Director, Travel Industry Marketing and Sales, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, The Honourable Obie Wilchecombe, Minister of Tourism, Ms. Karen Cruitt, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Atlantis Paradise Island, Fred Lounsberry, CEO, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Mr. Tommy Thompson, Tourism Deputy Director General. (Photo: Syann Thompson, Bahamas High Commission London)
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CEO of Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Fred Lounsberry giving his overall assessment of 2016, stating that forces beyond their control did have an impact.
“There were world events like BREXIT, the United States elections, Hurricane Matthew that put a bit of a damper on 2016, but even with those outside influences we still had a good year. We have had some new developments including the newly opened Warwick Hotel on Paradise Island. In 2017 we are expecting better, from all our indicators 2017 is shaping up to be a better year. From the U.S. operators, here at World Travel Market we are seeing double digits increases for bookings in the first three months going into 2017. So, we have a lot of optimism for the future,” said Mr. Lounsberry.
(Photo: Syann Thompson, Bahamas High Commission London)
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