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At hotel’s re-opening, PM Davis says that the British Colonial name signals ‘grand tradition’ of tourism

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By ERIC ROSE

Bahamas Information Services

 

#NASSAU, The Bahamas, December 19, 2023  – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said, on December 18, 2023 that there was no doubt “irony” in the fact that, as The Bahamas celebrated 50 years of Independence, there was also celebration of the re-opening of the ‘British Colonial Hotel.’

“But the meaning within the imperial legacy of that name has changed,” Prime Minister Davis said, during the hotel’s re-opening, in downtown Nassau.  “It now signals the grand tradition of what tourism was automatically once assumed to be: travel to unknown places, in the hope of pursuing adventure, luxury, style, and comfort.”

“I know that these aspirations are similarly shared by the 21st-century owners of this property,” he added.  “There is an even richer vein of history that sits underneath this hotel.”

Prime Minister Davis noted the hotel’s site, that was rich in heritage, had witnessed the transformation of Nassau from its early days as Charles Town to the “vibrant city it is today”.

“The land on which this hotel stands was once the Old Fort of Nassau,” he pointed out.  “Sitting right at the entrance to the naturally deep-water harbour, it played a significant role in our island’s history.”

Prime Minister Davis added: “Would-be invaders would think twice at the sight of that imposing structure.  After the fort’s demolition in 1873, this area evolved.  It reflected the growth in commerce, in religious significance (with the nearby Cathedral), and as the visible seat of our parliamentary democracy.  After the property was purchased in 1900 by Henry M. Flagler, the original Colonial Hotel opened in 1901, and, as they say, the rest is history.”

Prime Minister Davis said that he offered that glimpse of history because he wanted those present to appreciate how landmark developments such as that one, were more than just offerings of investment, more than just additions to tourism.

“This is not to diminish either of those,” he stated.

“Major investments such as the upgrading of the British Colonial Hotel bring jobs and other opportunities for Bahamians,” Prime Minister Davis noted.  “With record numbers of tourists arriving on our shores, we also desperately need more rooms to accommodate them.”

He continued: “Let me offer an example. The introduction of new direct flights from Seattle with Alaska Airlines and from Los Angeles with Jet Blue marks a significant milestone in our tourism journey.  These new routes signify our expanding reach and the growing interest in the unique allure of The Bahamas.

“We are not just connecting destinations; we are weaving together the stories and experiences of people from diverse cultures.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that, as they witnessed growth from those new markets, the reopening of the British Colonial Hotel came at a “crucial” time.

“But there is also the broader context of national development,” he pointed out.  “Therefore, this partnership with China Construction America (CCA) in the restoration of the British Colonial Hotel is not just a collaboration, but a significant contribution to the economic development of The Bahamas.”

“CCA’s commitment and expertise have helped restore this iconic building into a modern landmark, while simultaneously respecting its rich heritage,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “This partnership symbolizes a bridge between nations, fostering economic growth and cultural exchange.”

Prime Minister Davis said that CCA’s investment was also an expression of continued confidence in the Bahamian economy.

“They see potential not only in what we are doing today, but also in the future that we are charting,” he said.  “We are grateful for that confidence and thank them as we look forward to an even stronger partnership in the years ahead.”

“My congratulations to everyone who has led or contributed to making today possible,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “Let’s all celebrate the revived, refurbished, renewed, British Colonial Hotel.”

PHOTO CAPTION

Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks at the Official Ceremony for the Re-Opening the British Colonial Hotel, on December 18, 2023.  Also conveying remarks were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Invvestments and Aviation (MOTIA) the Hon. Chester Cooper; Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas H.E. Dai Qingli; President of the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association Robert Sands; Vice-President of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Xingdi Peng; and General Manager of the British Colonial Dan McDermott.   The Very Reverend Harry Bain, Dean and Rector of Christ Church Cathedral, gave the invocation.

(BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

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Twist To Win Ends in a Grand Style with Four $5,000 Mall at Marathon Shopping Sprees  

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Twist To Win grand finale winners (l-r) Brian Bethel, Taraceta Neely, Ashia Demeritte and Merlin Adams posing along with their winnings from the shopping spree.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.

The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.

With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.

Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.

Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.

Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!

After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.

The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.

At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.

Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.

Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.

The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.

Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.

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 The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival.                                                                                                                                                                              Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.

As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.

Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole, with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.

Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.

Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the listening booth.

Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.

For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!

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CWS Brings a Galore of Bubbles at Annual Jollification Festival  

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Caribbean Wines & Spirits team members smiling behind one of the company’s two bars at Jollification

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.

Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.

The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members.  Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.

Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine.  To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking in the comfort of the chic lounge.  In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.

The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.

To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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