Terrance Roberts, Director of Business Development (MOTA)

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - The following are remarks by Terrance Roberts, Director of Business Development (MOTA), given to the Rotary Club of Lucaya on January 24th, 2012 on updates in tourism:

I am delighted to speak to you today on the importance of productive partnerships in Grand Bahama Island, as we continue on the march toward economic growth and development in our tourism industry. 

It has been a while since we have communicated with you on the basic functions of the Grand Bahama Tourist Office.  And so, Mr/Madame President and members of the Rotary Club of Lucaya…..I wish to thank you for this opportunity to drop in, today.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is the principle organization responsible for the marketing and development of policies which directs the growth of tourism in the islands of The Bahamas. In addition to our headquarters in Nassau, we are supported by offices in Abaco, Andros and the Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Exuma, Long Island; overseas offices in London, Toronto, Milan, Florida, Paris and representation in Germany.  

Our mission is “to make it increasingly easier to create, sell and deliver world-class vacation experience to the individual islands of The Bahamas; world-class according to those who work in the tourist industry and live in the respective islands, world-class according to those who invest in the industry and world-class according to the visitors to each island.” 

What is the Grand Bahama Tourist Office responsible for?  Each day the team of 25 employees is required to focus their efforts on the duties which come under three major headings:  Product Development, Industry Training and Business Development:  
 

Product Development includes reception services and ports of entry, visitor relations, community, heritage, cultural and sustainable tourism; hotel licensing, religious tourism and people 2 people; authentically Bahamian; sports tourism and niche markets; tour guide certification.

Industry Training – the industry training unit introduced the new BahamaHost program in February of last year and certified more than three hundred graduates in December.  This month the introduction to Spanish has been added to the list of offerings.  They also conduct customized customer service skills training.  

The Business Development Unit has responsibility for Communications, Groups, Meetings and Conferences, Special Events, Film Development, Bahamas.com, relations with airlift and sea lift partners, and investor support.

Who are our local partners?  
 

In the private sector our primary partner is the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board.  Chaired by Benjamin Davis of the Radisson Grand Lucayan, Bahamas the board is made up of representatives from the hospitality sector, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Grand Bahama Airport Company, Freeport Harbour Company, The Development Company and Allied Members.

In the public sector we work with all agencies, but especially Bahamas Customs, Road Traffic Department, Police Department, Department of Immigration,  Ministries of Education, Sports and Culture and of course Local Government.

Volunteer Associations with whom we interact regularly include:  Crime and Safety Committee, Welcome and Departure Committee, Transportation Committee, Eco Tourism Committee; as well as the Water Sports Association, Straw Vendors and Hair Braiders Associations and GB Taxi Union; and Community Tourism committees throughout the island.  

What are our plans for 2012?   
 

In the 3Q/2011 we saw the commencement of schedule non-stop jet service from five US cities – Baltimore, Richmond, Raliegh-Durham, Louisville and Ft. Lauderdale, using Vision Airlines.  Also, we have been able to maintain access to a traditional market, with the start of schedule service from Port Everglades via Balearia Bahamas Express. 

These two new programs complement the existing services provided by American Airlines, Bahamasair,  the former Gulfstream Airlines – re branded as Silver Airways, Sky Bahamas and US Airways; seasonal  non-stop jet service provided by WestJet from Toronto, Canada and Blue Panorama from Milan, Italy; and of course the schedule cruise ferry service from the Port of Palm Beach, via Bahamas Celebration.  Incidentally, Bahamas Celebration now nearing completion of its second year of service to Grand Bahama, has increased its delivery of Cruise and Stay room nights by 27% over 2010.  
 
 
 

Our task this year is to reset and retain existing airlift and build on that foundation, strategically. 

The introduction of low cost non-stop flights from the inner cities has reduced travel time considerably and made it more affordable to travel.  Plus, the savings on airfare allows the guest to have more money to spend on-island.  An important part of that strategy is to partner with the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board’s Marketing Committee to maximize the distribution of the GBI product in the marketplace, in order to significantly increase the hotel occupancy levels.

We are pleased to report that the close working partnership between the Government and Freeport Harbour Company has resulted in an increase in cruise ship arrivals over the past three years.  For example in 2009 we received 208 cruise calls and 265 ferry calls for a total of 473 calls combined; in 2010 there were 242 cruise calls and 439 cruise ferry calls, or 681 calls combined.  And last year, there were 277 cruise ship calls to the harbour and 392 ferry calls – 669 calls combined.  
 
 
 
 

Projections for this year are that there will be 359 cruise calls and 486 ferry calls for a total of 845 calls combined and a total passenger count of 1.3 million sea arrivals; a projected increase in cruise passengers of 29% over 2011.  This increase in business will inject more than $30 million into the local economy, benefiting vendors, restaurants, merchants, onshore excursions and transportation professionals.

The Ministry of Tourism remains committed to working closely with the Harbour Company to improve the visitor experience at the harbor.  We have increased our presence by the appointment of a harbor relations officer to support this initiative. 

On February 9^th, in collaboration with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, and the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association, the harbor company will host a one day business conference to examine the needs of this sector.  The primary objective of the opportunity, awareness seminar is to inform, educate, stimulate and promote opportunities for local Grand Bahamians.  Budding entrepreneurs will be invited to consider some of the prospects that exist in the tour operations sector.  Existing operators will be encouraged to expand.  
 
 

You are aware that resort operators and their sales and marketing teams are presently in Nassau, participating in the annual Caribbean Hotel Association Market Place – discussing trade relations with the world’s top suppliers of tour and travel business to the region.  The Family Islands, including Grand Bahama is participating in pre and post tours.  The Grand Bahama Tourist Office also coordinated a three-day itinerary for a group of ten Russian travel agents, who departed on Sunday.   

Ladies and gentlemen, the smiling personality of Grand Bahama Island comes through when we are having fun! 

Whether it’s the Annual Bernie Butler BASRA Swim Race, the Festival Noel, Wednesday night at the Smith’s Point Fish Fry or Friday night in Count Basie Square of the Port Lucaya Market Place - we have to continue to find ways for our fun personalities to come through when we interact with our customers, who happen to be visitors.   

To the extent that budgets allow the Ministry continues to work with organizations and communities who present the lifestyles and culture of the Bahamas in a favourable light; and our Calendar of Events reflects our commitment to this, to a large degree:  
 
 
 

• January 31^st- February 3^rd – 4^th Annual Bahamas International Maritime Conference
• February 2 – 4 Bahamas Wahoo Tournament
• March 8 – 12 – The AgriBusiness Expo 2012
• March 11 – 26 3rth Annual Bacardi Bahamas Billfish Tournament
• April – Coastal Awareness Month
• April 9^th – Annual Coconut Festival, Pelican Point
• May 25 – 26 – Eight Mile Rock International Cultural Festival
• July – Junkanoo Summer Festival
• July 26^th – Sweetings Cay Annual Heritage Festival
• TBA  - West End Snapper Tournament
• August 6^th – High Rock SeaFest
• September 24 – 30 -  18^th Annual Bahamas Billfish Tournament
• TBA 2^nd Annual Junior Regatta at Crabbing Bay
• October 12^th – Annual McLean’s Town Conch Cracking Festival
• October 25 – 28 – Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival on Location
• November 3 – Conchman Triathlon
• November 20 – 27 – 10^th Annual NCAA Div. 1 Women’s Junkanoo Jam Basketball Tournament
• November 27 – 27 14^th Annual Tabernacle Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament
• December 2 – 5 Bahamas Wahoo Tournament

In conclusion, the underlying objective that drives our efforts in all our various partnerships is to increase economic benefits for the residents of Grand Bahama Island.  And to be sure, those residents all together and individually have a role to play in delivering a quality destination experiences by reinserting the fun component into the tourism experience.  We need to go back to basics in this regard!

Rotarians, as residents we each have an obligation to ensure the sustainability of our environment, by planting palm trees, tropical flowering plants and native fruit trees.  In a keenly competitive global tourism environment, we are required to partner in the maintenance of a safe, hassle free atmosphere that complements our overall efforts to grow the tourism business in the year 2012!

Thank you.