Nassau, New Providence - Ministry of Tourism ensured that staff members remain informed of the heritage and cultural opportunities available in Nassau by taking 50 employees on an extensive heritage tour of New Providence.

The employees began the tour at Rawson Square where they received a refresher tutorial on the history of the city and some colorful, historical personalities. The group then made their way to the communities of Fox Hill and Gambier with a stop at Clifton Heritage Park.

Hollywood celebrities flocked to The Bahamas recently as the Ministry of Tourism hosted a birthday party for film producer Will Packer at Sandals Island.

Packer is producer of movies such as Think Like A Man, Takers, Stomp The Yard and Ride Along.

Prime Minister Perry Christie and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe addressed the gathering of Bahamian dignitaries and friends and family of Will Packer. They welcomed the visitors and urged Packer to consider The Bahamas as a film location or a place for a second home.

Festival: A sweet treat for residents, visitors

Bahamians and visitors will be able to celebrate Mother’s Day by savouring a variety of Bahamian pastries and treats at Sweeet! Fest in Pompey Square. The festival, which is a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and the Downtown Nassau Partnership, will be held April 27. Its objective is to bring together sweet lovers and vendors just in time for Mother’s Day.

The Ministry of Tourism showcased the variety of niche travel experiences on16 major islands at the recent Vacation Express travel trade show in Atlanta, Georgia.

Grand Bahama Island’s tourism resurgence was a prominent component of the Ministry’s presentations to travel agents attending the show as the island will have non-stop service from Birmingham, Cincinnati, Memphis, Richmond, Baltimore, Columbus, Raleigh, Durham and New York/Newark.

NEW YORK - More than 100,000 people experienced a destination wedding in The Bahamas last year, and the country wants to attract even more in years to come, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told seasoned travel writers and business partners today as the Ministry of Tourism launched its latest niche market promotion.

The 16 Weddings, 16 Islands, One Priceless Day invitation was extended to engaged couples throughout the United States in a launch event held at trendy Per Se Restaurant, which is ranked among the world best’s restaurants by San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna. The invitation will allow the couples to learn about the 16 major islands of The Bahamas online then use the selected website to enter to win a destination wedding on one of those 16 islands.

The new phone books are here and The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has dedicated both White and Yellow pages’ directory front covers on all editions, to Tourism’s Golden Jubilee. The front cover concept was conceived by Anthony Stuart, Ministry of Tourism General Manager and designed by Ministry of Tourism graphics department, making this the first year BTC has not designed or overseen the front cover artwork.

Both Directories feature a cover story on the Ministry of Tourism’s Golden Jubilee. More than just phone listings the directories are a veritable treasure trove of useful, interesting information and beautiful photography.

More than 20 students from Drake University and St. John’s University took part in an ambassador hosting at the home of People to People volunteer Keith Saunders. Mr. Saunders, a veteran of the program, treated the students to a Bahamian meal, and the group also had the opportunity to meet Bahamian college students.Thomas Westbrook, professor at Drake University, led his students to Nassau for a three-week leadership course, Leadership at Sea. In the course, students lean about seamanship, languages and culture. After a taste of Junkanoo at the Educulture...

Marsh Harbour, Abaco -- Prime Minister PerryChristie has declared Tourism’s Golden Jubilee to be the “Year of Culture”. He believes that proper promotion and integration of cultural tourism into the national, regional and international marketing strategies of The Bahamas will fit in well with the sustainable approach to tourism with the hope of having a vibrant product from January to January.

Pastor Stanford Symonette read the Prime Minister’s Proclamation defining the role of cultural diversity in building tourism in Abaco during a special church service at the Parish of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Marsh Harbour, January 22. Permanent Secretary at the MOT, Harrison Thompson, explained how tourism developed in Abaco since before Independence 1973.

THE ABACOS, BAHAMAS - North America’s hottest chefs will descend on Green Turtle Cay in The Bahamas for a three-day ocean-side food extravaganza. From March 26-29, 2014, the remote-island paradise will play host to the first annual Devour! The Beach festival. The three–day event features extraordinary culinary events led by celebrity chefs from Chicago, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Dallas, Ottawa and Halifax.

“Visitors to the island will have countless opportunities to not only enjoy the food of some of their favourite international chefs,” says Adam Showell, Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina owner. “They will get to relax and play alongside them in a famously hospitable, tropical environment that was once featured on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”The mouthwatering menu of activities can only be matched by the location. Stunning Green Turtle Cay

The Hon. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama in his remarks at the signing event expressed his delight to host Design Caribbean as it “will expose local artisans and manufacturers to overseas buyers in retail, hospitality, design, music, film and fashion; thus providing them with opportunities to exhibit their talents, market and sell their products and services...

Green Turtle Cay, Abaco’s first ever Devour! The Beach food and wine festival brought foodies and chefs from all around the world to experience the taste of The Bahamas.

The festival, which was the brainchild of Executive Chef of the Green Turtle Club Michael Howell welcomed five chefs extraordinary chefs to cook spectacular food in its first year. They emphasized the use of local products throughout the festival.

Chef Howell explained that he wanted to create an event that would help get heads in beds.