Nassau, 06 Sept 2015 – The cucumber mojitos were served on linen-draped trays and the white-gloved waiters quietly whisked plates to and fro, but make no mistake about it. The real meat of a recent evening at Palm Cay Club & Marina was serious business as Cuba and The Bahamas began talks about how they could work together to create a dual-destination product to attract a tourist market that is expected to explode as Cuba prepares to open its doors to millions.
The event, the first in a series called The Captain’s Table aimed at bringing business and civic leaders together with a noteworthy guest of honour, was held September 2. It was the first day of the Cuban delegation’s visit to The Bahamas and the private setting was designed for exploratory overtures.
“We wanted to create an opportunity for business representatives and a few top hoteliers and tour operators to meet
with an impressive delegation from Cuba in an environment that afforded all parties the chance to talk openly about their interests and to see where those interests might overlap,” said organizer Diane Phillips. “The members’ lounge at Palm Cay was perfect. The privacy allowed people to speak freely and to find common ground on which they could work together. As a dual destination, The Bahamas and Cuba will be a winning combination. And the Cuban delegation saw that immediately – it was not an either-or, but a let’s work it out so we can work together to make this happen.”
The delegation, led by Cuban Ambassador Ernesto Guzman, included the General Director, and other top-ranking persons from the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba and from Havanatur, along with Yoslaidy Clemente Lopez of the Cuban Embassy in The Bahamas.
“The opportunity offered by the Captain’s Table to facilitate the exchange between Cuban and Bahamian business men and companies involved in the tourism industry was unique for both sides,” said the Ambassador. “The evening allowed us to get to know the existing potential in our countries for the development and expansion of an industry that can catapult other areas of interest such as agriculture, health and education among others. I think that the Cuban and Bahamians people will benefit of any project intelligently developed by our countries in an unforeseeable way.”
Guests knew in advance that there would be no politicians, no media and no more than 18 at the single table to allow for free flow of conversation and exchange of ideas. According to Palm Cay General Manager Richard Browning, the Captain’s Table concept struck a chord.
“We see the Captain’s Table as a great initiative for like-minded business people in The Bahamas to meet in a relaxed environment, an attractive setting that offers intimacy and encourages openness,” said Browning. “This Cuban visit has clearly proven that there is a desire for this type of get together.”
Among those at the dinner were Gowon Bowe, Chairman, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce; John Conway, General Manager, One&Only Ocean Club; Ed Fields, Sr Vice President, Atlantis; Paolo Garzaroli, Graycliff (and Historic Charles Towne); Gary Williams, Sandals consultant representing Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart; Youlanda Deveaux, Regional Vice President, Caribbean and Central America, Mandara Spa Bahamas Ltd, Steiner Resort Division; Simone Morgan-Gomez, Partner, Callenders law firm; Chris Ryan, Chief Financial Officer, NAD; Richard Browning, General Manager, Palm Cay Development, John Gomez, Cable Bahamas, A.J. Saunders, Majestic Tours and the Cuban delegation, including Richard Boadi, Sales Manager, Havanatur Bahamas. Attorney Morgan Gomez, who is bilingual, was among several who spoke Spanish.
“One of the things that made the evening so magical was the openness,” said Ms. Deveaux. “I know for our part we are very interested in exploring the luxury spa experience in Cuba. There were hoteliers who were quite frank about being interested in putting their brand in Cuba as soon as they reasonably can. Just about everyone present saw opportunities not only for them to invest in what will be the new hotspot for Caribbean tourism because it has been off limits to Americans for so long, but to work with key players in Cuba to present a marketing strategy that will appeal to those who think a trip to both places is a better choice than a visit to either one on its own.”
Palm Cay is a nearly 70-acre development on New Providence’s southeastern coast and includes an array of single family residences, townhomes and condominiums along with the island’s largest marina in terms of boat slips, a multi-storey restaurant and clubhouse with members’ lounge, swimming pools, tennis and 1,200 feet of pristine white sand beach.
