Of all the places in the world that Ethel Rice could visit every year, she chooses The Bahamas.

The youthful 80-year-old has been coming to The Bahamas for 35 years only missing one, as she was recovering from surgery.

On Thursday, July 17, 2014, Harrison Thompson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism presented Mrs. Rice with a basket filled with Bahamian goodies and a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in recognition of 35 years of visits to The Bahamas.

Freeport, Bahamas - The countdown is on for the Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson Golf Challenge, slated for July 21st- 22nd, 2014 on Grand Bahama Island.

With the Ministry of Tourism and the Grand BahamaIsland Tourism Board being a part of the tournament’s sponsorship team, this sports tourism event is poised to receive significant attention and support throughout the industry.

Betty Bethel, Directorfor Grand Bahama Island indicated in a press conference on Wednesday, July 9th that sports tourism is a $600 billion dollar business and the ministry acknowledges its importance as the vehicle to drive business to the Islands of The Bahamas. A sponsorship check was presented to Mr. Ambrose Gouthro...

In the wake of the repatriation of 11 rock iguanas to The Bahamas, Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett said recently that he is hoping that the incident spawns awareness for wild life tourism.

The iguanas returned home this past week on board a British Airways flight escorted by UK border control officials, doctors and police guard.

The animals went through quite an ordeal after two Russian women tried to smuggle them in socks through Heathrow airport in London on February 3.Officials said the iguana’s final destination was France as they were set to be sold for $35,000 a piece.

The women -Angla-Alina Bita, and Vitora-Oliva Bucsa, from Romania were later jailed for the crime.

London, England – Tourism officials from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism have been in London for ten days to drive business to The Bahamas and meet with staff from the Europe offices. The team included Director General Joy Jibrilu, Deputy Director General Tommy Thompson, Director of Airlift Development Tyrone Sawyer and new Director of Europe Anthony Stuart.

Joy Jibrilu hit the ground running in her new role as The Ministry of Tourism’s new Director General. Mrs. Jibrilu along with her senior management team conducted business meetings with tour operators throughout the UK and Germany over a period of ten days. The Director General stated that she and her team mean business and they are serious about driving up numbers from the European market.

A Disney Channel India contest landed a family of five a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a free trip on Disney Cruise Lines and the opportunity to explore all the touristic sites New Providence has to offer.

Seven-year-old Karmanye Kholsa entered the contest back in May.

When the family arrived on July 14, they were given the royal treatment. The family was also filmed for a Disney commercial that will be seen all around the world.Manav Khosla, Karmanye’s father, said he was thrilled about the win and being in The Bahamas.

Nassau, Bahamas - Forty-one cultural giants were surrounded by government officials, friends and family recently as they were honoured during an art exhibition at Pompey Square.The event was part of the 41st independence anniversary celebrations of The Bahamas.

The cultural legends included names synonymous with features of Bahamian culture like art, music, writers, theatre and of course Junkanoo.

FORT LAUDERDALE. FL - The Bahamas Consulate Office, Florida, The National Association Of The Bahamas (NAB), and key influencers within The Bahamian Community of South Florida, have teamed up to organize month long activities to celebrate the country’s 41st Anniversary of Independence.

Once again, the month of activities will be highlighted by NAB’s major fundraiser, the Annual Black Tie Scholarship Gala. This year’s Ball will take place at the Hilton Omni, Downtown Miami, July 19th, and feature the music of The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.

Themed Bahamas Beach Barbeque, the Fly In is a collaboration of two nations celebrating Independence with their families through love, culture and beauty. (The Bahamas will celebrate its 41stIndependence on July 10, 2014).

“The series will follow people as they seek to get back in touch with former flames and crushes to seize a second chance at love,” said Jen Cipperly, who is casting for the project. “We’re looking for guys and gals who still think about a certain someone but have lost touch and would like to track them down and reconnect.”

Bahamas film commissioner Craig Woods said the development company has invited Bahamians who want to re-connect with lost loves to enlist the help of their team.“If there is someone in the United States that Bahamians wish to be reunited with, the show presents that opportunity,” Mr. Woods said.

Nassau, Bahamas - Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said that he is determined to attract the prestigious culinary regional competition ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ to The Bahamas.  The competition, which is in its 21st year, brought thousands of food lovers to Miami, Florida over the weekend.

The Bahamas National Culinary Team is competing in the event over the next several days.

The national culinary team consists of chefs Sheldon Tracey Sweeting, Charon McKenzie, Jamal Small, Richmond Fowler, Dwayne Sinclair, bartender Marv Cunningham and kitchen artist Indra Solihin.