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Ministry of Tourism Reviews Freeport, Grand Bahama Initiatives

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#Nassau, October 2, 2018 – Bahamas – The purchase of the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport is big news, but the acquisition of this prime resort property is only one part of the overall, large scale mission being undertaken to support the rebound of tourism on the island of Grand Bahama.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation has been working closely with Minister of State for Grand Bahama, Senator, The Hon. Kwasi Thompson, to promote the island, with efforts targeting media, influencers, key travel industry contacts and consumers.  This multi-faceted work has targeted different steps in the consumer’s journey from inspiration to purchase, and has been deployed across varied channels – from social media to digital publishers to travel agents – that are critical in driving demand for the destination and converting to bookings.

“The Ministry has been working diligently on a robust marketing plan on behalf of The Bahamas, and we are encouraged by the turnaround we are seeing in business,” said Minister of Tourism, Dionisio D’Aguilar.  “That plan includes new creative and advertising for Freeport, media outreach to raise awareness of new hotel offers and transportation links to the island and special events.  Our efforts on island and off are building momentum and we believe will assist in a new tourism era for the island and The Bahamas.”

 

Advertising, Public Relations, Marketing

 

 The Ministry’s marketing and communications program comprises many specific initiatives, which are currently been undertaken, including:

  • Advertising: New creative assets for Freeport deployed in TV ads and digital ads targeting consumers in prime regional markets like South Florida
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM): Distribution of ads driven by an always-on SEM program built on Freeport specific keywords
  • Programmatic advertising: Digitally optimized targeting of ads to audiences based on interests in vertical markets including diving, fishing, boating, sailing and aviation

 

    • The effectiveness of these tools will be enhanced by the recent decision taken to rebrand the island as Freeport to align with key transportation links like the airport (FPO) and ferries, and the well-documented consumer behavior of searching out Freeport options
    • As programs move forward, they will eliminate the disconnect between searching for air and hotels by two different names

 

  • Content marketing: Grand Bahama, now Freeport, is featured in a content marketing program that tells a larger story about the island and shows off the blend of resorts and ecotourism offerings at the heart of the experience
    • Microsite: The content marketing extends across multiple digital and social channels, and includes a Freeport microsite to help build a dedicated Freeport database
    • Bahamas.com: Website content has been refreshed and all assets are accompanied by complementary elements
    • Online Travel Agencies (OTA): There is a dedicated Freeport page already in place on OTAs such as Expedia.com with distribution to the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America
    • Media integrations: A dedicated Freeport fishing campaign included features in Saltwater Sportsman, Sport Fishing and Marlin publications; online videos showcasing the fishing experience in West End and East End; and a Shark Tank Shark Week program on island

 

  • Public Relations: The Ministry is executing a schedule of trips for magazine and newspaper writers, and select social media influencers
    • Media and influencer visits: A contributor to USA Today is set to visit Freeport this fall. In August, five engaging social media influencers from the U.S. explored the island, experiencing the local beauty under and above the water, and producing content that has already reached 3 million consumer impressions. In addition to organic posts on influencers’ Instagram and other channels, the Ministry has published an ongoing stream of Freeport branded social media posts and digital ads
    • Media relations: Freeport media outreach has been ongoing highlighting new service, new developments, special offers and events
    • Media missions: The Ministry briefed editors and writers individually on the destination, including specific Freeport messages, in New York City, Houston, Washington, D.C. and South Florida

 

Industry Partnerships

 

The Ministry has worked in collaboration with key industry partners to help bring awareness and visitors to the island. Those initiatives include:

  • Co-op marketing subsidies for Freeport cruise lines
  • Co-op marketing subsidy with FRS Caribbean ferry for Freeport service

 

Travel Agents and Tour Operators

 

Travel agents and tour operators remain an important part of the marketing process for Freeport, especially in Canada where most consumers continue to use them to book travel.

  • Webinars: Ongoing Freeport webinars update travel agents on the product and how to get there
  • Media and trade events: Major briefings for trade media and travel agents were conducted in South Florida and Toronto
  • Sales calls: hundreds of sales calls accompany these efforts annually

 

The purchase of the Grand Lucayan is only one important transition taking place on the island. Building on the marketing that is already underway, the rebranding of the destination from Grand Bahama Island to Freeport will align the destination messages of our product with the transportation links that ultimately deliver our visitors. This realignment will only strengthen the effectiveness of our highly targeted digital marketing tools. The Ministry is looking forward to a new era for tourism on the island.

 

Release: Ministry of Tourism

Photo Caption: Crystal Travel & Tours

 

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Career Symposium 2024 Connects University Students with Successful Professionals

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Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — Some of the most successful and accomplished professionals and business leaders in the country recently shared their experiences and nuggets of wisdom with students at University of The Bahamas (UB) about thriving in a wide range of careers.

The University Centre for Counselling and Career Services and the Career and Job Placement Advisory Unit collaborated to host the 2024 Career Symposium which brought students face to face with leaders in the careers to which they aspire.

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, said the symposium was key to developing potential as university students strive to leave their mark on the world.

Ms. Rickell Curry

“In the spirit of collaboration and growth, let us engage in meaningful dialogue, cultivate relationships, and harness the power of collective wisdom to shape our futures,” said Dr. Oriakhi. “Together, let us embark on this journey of exploration and discovery, united in our commitment to realizing our fullest potential and making meaningful contributions to our communities and beyond.”

Promoting careers in psychology, Ms. Curry noted that psychologists are equipped with the ability to help others, troubleshoot areas of weakness within themselves, and become better people and professionals in the process.

“The floor is yours to be able to explore. There’s no job where you don’t have to deal with people, so learning, even if you get a bachelor’s in psychology, is a great grounding,” she said.

Dr. Darville, one of few interventional radiologists in The Bahamas, offered another nugget of advice on choosing an area of study.

Dr. Elizabeth Darville

“It is important to know enough about yourself in order to make the decisions you want to make,” said Dr. Darville. “You have to work on yourself first and know what you want to do. Radiology gives you a chance to have fun. It gives you a chance to mold your career closer to your personal life than other medical specialties might.”

Another growing field is project management which Mr. Hepburn called a life skill. He also urged a commitment to lifelong learning.

“Individuals that continue to learn become unstoppable, period,” said Mr. Hepburn. “It is so true. When you learn, you become unstoppable because nothing can stop you in your process of development.

Mr. Wellington Hepburn

“The more you know, the more valuable you are. We need individuals who are cross functional—that can operate in different capacities. So please understand that your learning should never stop.”

With small and medium-sized businesses helping to drive the economy at an incredible rate, Ms. Rolle affirmed the importance of entrepreneurship in any economy.

“When we talk about entrepreneurship, we usually look at it from a myopic standpoint,” she said. Ms. Rolle. “What do I mean by that? Small, but usually about self: ‘how do I make more money?’ And in some cases, some look at entrepreneurship as a way of survival. ‘I need to make a couple extra dollars, I have this bill to pay’. Those types of things.

Ms. Samantha Rolle

“But entrepreneurship really, in its truest form, is about innovation, whether it’s a new concept or any existing concept that you innovate new ways, or help expand the economy.”

The career symposium was held at the Harry C. Moore Library and Information Centre and is held every academic year.

 

PHOTO CAPTIONS

 

  • Career Symposium 1: UB Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Oriakhi, delivers the opening address at the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 2: Students and guest speakers enjoy a lighthearted moment during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 3: Ms. Rickell Curry speaks to students during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 4: Dr. Elizabeth Darville delivers remarks during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 5: Mr. Wellington Hepburn educates students on the importance of project management during the 2024 Career Symposium.
  • Career Symposium 6: Ms. Samantha Rolle talks about the role and importance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship in any economy.

 

Office of University Relations

University of The Bahamas

2nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex

Oakes Field Campus

P.O. Box N-4912

Nassau, The Bahamas

Tel: (242) 302-4355/4354/4365

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$36 Million Dollar Upgrade for World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

 

#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – After years of thorough maintenance, The Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas is finally getting a multi-million dollar makeover, readying the 10-year old facility ahead of the World Athletics Relays on May  5, 2024; it is being staged in Nassau for the fourth time.

This $36 million refurbishment is being funded by the Chinese Government, as part of a vision to enhance the country’s sport infrastructure to benefit youths in athletics. The stadium was gifted to The Bahamas in 2012 by the Chinese.

The relay is the qualifying event for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and there will be 32 national teams, in each relay event, and 20 races on both days of competition, according to World Athletics.

Day 1, will have 20 heats across the five Olympic-calibre events (4 heats each for 4×100, 4×400, men, women and mixed) and will qualify 40 teams for the Summer Olympics.

Distinctly, the top two teams from each heat will directly qualify for the 2024 Games.

On day 2, 30 more national teams will be qualified through 15 heats and five finals, across those five events.

The upgrades which include new trusses, rooftops, seats, the lawn, score boards, LED displays and more, are expected to be complete at least two weeks before the relays, being held under the theme: ‘Chase the  Sun’.

In a special ceremony on Monday April 8, The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip Davis said:

In December 2023, our shared vision took shape, as the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, and the government of the People’s Republic of China, inked an implementation agreement for the renovation of the stadium. This gesture of goodwill and friendship, from the Chinese government to undertake the China Aid Maintenance and Renovation project of our national stadium, stands as a testament to the strong bonds that unite our countries. This project, executed by China Urban Construction Research Institute Company Limited, and the China Machinery Industry Construction Group Company Limited, reflects our shared commitment to excellence, innovation and mutual development.”

Additionally, H.E Dai Qingli, outgoing Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas who also attended that ceremony, spoke.

“At the end of the project, the Bahamian people will get a fully renewed and modern world class stadium because everything is going to be either renewed or repaired,” she said.

Some 1,600 athletes will be in The Bahamas for the World Athletics relays, with five events.  The Bahamas won the bid over Lausanne, Rome in 2022.

Mario Bowleg,  Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture in reports, thanked China for their contribution to the redevelopment of the stadium.

“We thank them for their commitment to ensuring that they bring this facility back up to A1 standard so that we can continue holding international events and using these facilities as a development of our young people.”

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Bahamas Government and Grand Bahama Port Authority in $360 MILLION squabble 

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#TheBahamas, April 15, 2024 – The Bahamas Government says the Grand Bahama Port Authority owes over $300 million, now causing a very public squabble between the two entities and  potential years long  arbitration proceedings.

The total owed according to the government is $357 million over the last five fiscal years, 2018-2022.

Seemingly down to business, the Davis Administration, according to reports,  sent a letter to the Port Authority at the start of the month, in which 30 days was given for them to pay up.

If the 30-day deadline isn’t met, Davis says the Government has the right to start arbitration proceedings.

A Grand Bahama attorney who criticized the government’s actions, also expressed that the tension could lead to up to five years of arbitration.

The letter, as reported by the Tribune, refers to clause 1(5)(c) of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

Regarding the tensions between the Port Authority and the Government, the financial conflict apparently rests on Davis’ accusation that the Port Authority failed to follow its obligations under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

“Unfortunately, the Port Authority has not been living up to its legal obligations to develop and grow the economy in Freeport. In many cases, the government has had to step in where the Port has failed. Let’s be clear about what this means: it means that the Bahamian people have been subsidizing the profits of these private shareholders! That is not right. You deserve flourishing, thriving communities. You deserve an inclusive economy that generates opportunity, dignity, and security. You deserve what is owed to you under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement,” Davis said.

In a clap back at the Government’s accusations, the Port Authority in reports are quoted declining the Government’s claim that they owe the “sum of $357 million.”

“We reject and will robustly defend against this claim, which we firmly believe will be defeated,” it stated.

Davis, who was speaking in a meeting on Saturday April 6, informed that before things got to this level, they were having meetings.

“We had many, many meetings and exchanges before we arrived at this point. But there were too many delays and too many dead ends. When only one side appears interested in advancement – and when the people of Freeport urgently need change and progress – then decisive action is the only choice,” he maintained.

The now peaked tension was sparked in June of 2023 when Davis stated that the Authority is failing to maintain Freeport’s infrastructure and encourage the growth of the city, as it claimed owed expenses, now said to be the hundreds of millions.

To this, in June 2023, the free quasi-governmental authority responded saying the sums stated by the government are “contested” and “it is yet to be satisfied,” claims reports say, are supported by credible evidence.

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