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BAHAMAS: Tourism Minister says focus on increased airlift is “manifestly paramount” to regional tourism success

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#Nassau, June 18, 2018 – Bahamas – A focus on increasing airlift into the region is “manifestly paramount” if regional, island destinations are to succeed in tourism, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar said Tuesday.  Addressing the Opening Session of the Third Annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup Conference, Minister D’Aguilar said airlift is the tool that drives sustainable tourism growth for every island destination.

The Conference opened Tuesday (June 12, 2018) with an emphasis on airlift, which officials say is crucial to the region, considering the fact that regional countries are 85 percent dependent on tourism revenue.

“When you live on an island, you know that visitors could only come by air or by sea,” Minister D’Aguilar said.  “We, like you in the Caribbean Diaspora, do not enjoy the built-in luxury of a drive-up customer base.  The Islands of The Bahamas welcome the majority of our visitors by sea, but we know that the injection of visitor spending into the economy increases exponentially when a visitor arrives by air.”

Minister D’Aguilar said The Bahamas’ latest Tourism Exit Study indicates that the average expenditure of a cruise visitor is $70, compared to the average expenditure of an air visitor, which is $1,504.

“Therefore, to succeed in tourism, we believe that a focus upon airlift is manifestly paramount, Minister D’Aguilar said.

Hosted by The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, the conference, June 12-14 (2018) at Atlantis Resort, was considered the largest and most significant international conference for airlift stakeholders in the Caribbean.  The Caribbean Aviation Meetup Conference is described as a results-oriented platform for communication between the various stakeholders in the aviation, tourism and investment industries.

Industry insiders say: “The proactive character of the event makes it the perfect place for face-to-face business discussions, comprehensive group opinion exchanges on sector-specific topics; and is the cornerstone upon which successful networking can be built.”

Conference Presenters were selected based on their extensive experiences in various aspects of the industry and came from the Caribbean, the United States of America, Canada and Europe.  Together these professionals have hundreds of years of practical experience in the aviation industry, be it at airports, airlines, or other aviation service providers.

Presentations focused on areas such as: Competitiveness through Improved Air Connectivity; Airlift; The Caribbean’s Interstate Highway System; Can Caribbean Carriers Stop Losing Ground? Sustainable Tourism and Airport Development; Aviation and Route Development in the Region; Dilemmas and Solutions; Tourism Development in the Caribbean; Airport Operational and Construction Issues; and Public Private Partnerships in Tourism, among many others.

Minister D’Aguilar “saluted” Conference planners for “bringing influential stakeholders from far and wide to discuss airlift and for allowing The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism and Aviation to engage with you in a meaningful way.”

Mr. D’Aguilar challenged stakeholders to be “as vigorous as possible” in their deliberations, adding that he honestly believes that airlift solutions “earnestly sought are within our grasp.”

“As you examine various aspects of airlift during this conference, I strongly recommend that you endeavour to be as vigorous as possible in your deliberations and in being vigorous, it is my hope that attempts will be made to honestly assess the challenges and opportunities that airlift poses for our region. This hopefully, will lead to prescriptive next steps to inform the decision-making of respective governments.

“I have browsed the list of topics for this CARIBAVIA conference. The topics are fairly all encompassing. I believe that such an all-encompassing agenda will help attendees to leave with a better understanding of the specialized areas of airlift,” Minister D’Aguilar added.

 

By: Matt Maura (BIS)

Photo Caption: At Opening Ceremony of the third Caribbean Aviation Meetup Conference at the Prince of Wales Room, Altantis, Paradise Island, June 12, 2018: in group photo, from left — Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority Director General Captain Charles Beneby; Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Permanent Secretary Charles Albury; Chairman/Coordinator of Caribbean Aviation Meetup 2018 Commander Bud Slabbaert; Minister of Transport and Local Government, the Hon. Frankie Campbell; Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar; Ministry of Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Travis Robinson; Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu; and Chairman of Bahamasair O.A.T (Tommy ) Turnquest.

(BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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