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BAHAMAS: Tourism officials plan to take greater advantage of new opportunities

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#Nassau, June 26, 2018 – Bahamas – Tourism officials plan to take even greater advantage of the new/added opportunities in the regional and global tourism industry.

Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar said in spite of the threats, the current economic climate “does present” significant opportunities for Bahamas Tourism as the industry’s global rate of growth continues to outpace all other sectors of the world economy, and is now the most important productive economic sector in the region, accounting for 25% of GDP.

“In addition, our largest market to the north, the United States of America (USA), is experiencing robust GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth and consumer spending, and, the lowest levels of unemployment in over a decade is making disposable income for travel available to most Americans.”

Minister D’Aguilar said the USA, which has traditionally led the way in tourism visitor arrivals, is also witnessing a decline in inbound travel.

“The question is: ‘Can we capitalize on attracting some of those visitors who are looking to travel elsewhere?’”

The Tourism and Aviation Minister said the Cruise Sector, which is booming with double-digit annual growth, and full occupancies on all Caribbean-bound vessels, is another significant opportunity for Bahamas Tourism.  The Caribbean region currently owns global market share “of this lucrative sector.” More than 90 new, state-of-the-art cruise ships are under construction this year and next, in an attempt “to meet the insatiable demand for cruise travel.”

The Bahamas “dominates” in the Florida/Caribbean short-itinerary segment, with 4.8 million cruise passenger visits last year (2017), holding through the First Quarter of 2018, “although we can still do much more and better with improvements to the visitor experience at the Port of Nassau.”

Mr. D’Aguilar said the Ministries of Transport & Local Government and Tourism & Aviation are “working assiduously” at finding the best solution to modernize Prince George Wharf and the surrounding area, and to completely transform the cruise arrivals experience.

“We are extremely pleased with our progress thus far and I am sure that we will be speaking more on this topic, certainly by the mid-year budget.”

Minister D’Aguilar said adequate airlift and efficient route development are among the most important drivers of business to destinations like The Bahamas.  He said his ministry’s strategies in this area are focused on both the growth of seat capacity in alignment with growing room inventory, and the scheduling of lift into Family Island destinations that will enable convenient connections on international flights to and from New Providence.

“I am happy to report that currently we have adequate capacity of seats to our destination to handle our inventory and that the uptick in demand has led to a number of our airline partners announcing additional flights to Bahamas destinations beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.  It is, however, crucial to the survival of our Island economies that we position the Lynden Pindling International Airport as a hub that is supported by domestic carriers that can provide expedient and efficient service to the Family Islands.”

Minister D’Aguilar said the Government has secured “on the books” an additional $300 million dollars in new and capital expansion hotel projects since May 2017.

“It should be noted that The Bahamas has finite capacity in both seat and branded room inventory and must seek to maximize revenues through development of the domestic hotel industry and sales of local products and services.

“Our focus at the Ministry of Tourism will be on the delivery of local products that will grow our domestic economy and improve the visitor experience throughout our archipelago,” Mr. D’Aguilar said.

“We need, however, more of both foreign branded and local content — particularly in Grand Bahama and our Family Islands, in high quality/high value investments with low footprint in hotels, restaurants and attractions and to further stimulate the development of handicraft, tour and retail products – all of which are investments that will greatly assist in strengthening the linkages between our tourism sectors and across the broader economy to reduce leakages and boost revenue.”

Mr. D’Aguilar said: “In the first of such initiatives, we have received Cabinet approval to wind down the operations of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas and establish in its stead, the Tourism Development Corporation.  This action will enable us to diversify and enhance our local tourism product and increase visitor spending within the local economy, and is in line with the approach taken by all our regional competitors.

“My technical team, in conjunction with the Ministry of Legal Affairs, is currently formulating draft legislation that will establish the Tourism Development Corporation as a statutory body under the portfolio of the Minister with responsibility for Tourism, and will oversee and inform the future of the affairs of the Hotel Corporation,” Minister D’Aguilar added.

 

By: Matt Maura (BIS)

 

 

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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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