Bahamas News

“Tourism is Everybody’s Business”: MOTIA engages the domestic audience

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2024
By LINDSAY THOMPSON
Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas — In a move to have Bahamians buy into the importance of tourism to the economy, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) officially launched its “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” domestic campaign.

With statistics of historic tourism arrivals, a video of local faces, and beautiful scenery, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper officially launched the campaign during a press conference on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the ministry’s offices.

He noted that on the tourism front, Bahamians have much to be proud of.

Over the last six decades, The Bahamas has developed its tourism reputation as a leading global destination. Moreover, tourism employs 60 percent and accounts for 50 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

“It has significantly contributed to raising the standards of living of generations of Bahamians and continues to provide opportunities for thousands of Bahamians,” DPM Cooper said.

In 2023, the country made history in tourism, closing out the year with a record-breaking 9.65 million visitors. And, prospects for 2024 indicate that the momentum will continue.

He also revealed that in January, occupancy at the major large hotels in New Providence and Paradise Island showed great performance, with a hotel occupancy rate of 76.8 percent in the first month of 2024, up from January 2023.

For January 2024, the momentum for arrivals has continued with arrivals for the month up by 13.3%, overall. Additionally, air arrivals to Nassau/Paradise Island were up by 8.1 percent in January 2024 with overall Air Arrivals up 6.4% compared to 2023, and overall seat capacity is up with several new additional airlift expansions in the pipeline.

“So, you can see we have much to protect. Tourism positively impacts every single person in The Bahamas. And Tourism is indeed Everybody’s Business,” the minister said.

He then added, “And the time has come for a re-awakening of national pride in our number one industry, an enterprise which we as a nation have built with our very own hands.”

Also, involved in this campaign are local media personalities and influencers who will take the message beyond these shores.

The message that will be conveyed to the nation over the next year is straightforward:

•Tourism is of paramount importance to the economy.

• We are the custodians of a beautiful country that is annually sought after by millions, a country that we must grow in appreciation for and be proud of.

• Tourism is Everybody’s Business.

• In alignment with our country’s logo, “It’s Better in The Bahamas”, we must each commit to doing our part to make our country a better place.

Over the next few weeks, the Ministry of Tourism Officials will be featured guests on all the major radio shows and will make special appearances on local television. There will also be TV and newspaper ads with tourism messages on social media, and additional billboards advertising the campaign.

“We’ll also be having a stakeholders meeting for taxi drivers and vendors on New Providence and then throughout the various islands,” DPM Cooper said.

He noted that one of the strongest selling points of this destination is the multiplicity of islands.

Tourism officials market The Bahamas as a 16-island destination, under the signature brand ‘The Islands of The Bahamas’ through which the distinctiveness of each island, and what it has to offer is promoted. The campaign will also focus on this.

Influencers will make appearances on radio shows to engage the public to travel to upcoming events on Exuma for the Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival set for 15-16 March, and to Long Island, for the Mutton Festival, 21–24 March.

The ministry will also be taking the tourism message to students as well; the Industry Training Department will be launching a program to re-educate students on the importance of tourism.

“A key priority of this government is to increase Bahamian ownership of the tourism economy. The Tourism Development Corporation is dedicated to this mandate,” he said.

Tourism will also engage stakeholders from across the industry including Taxi Drivers, Tour Operators, Straw Vendors, Hair Braiders and Retailers to hear their concerns and their suggestions for the way forward.

PHOTO CAPTION

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation officially launched its “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” domestic campaign, during a press conference on Monday, February 26, 2024 at its offices. Pictured are Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper and Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe, as well as other tourism officials. (BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)

Bahamas News

Bahamas economic growth

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

The Bahamas’ economy is in good standing according to reports from the Bahamas National Statistical Institute which released the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product Series. They indicate that quarterly GDP trends for 2023 saw increases compared to 2022, a sign of recovery from the Covid 19 pandemic.

The most significant increase was 9.9 percent in the first quarter of 2023, and the industries responsible for the growth include Accommodations and food, construction and Arts.

Bahamas News

RBC appoints new Country Manager and Area Vice President for Turks & Caicos

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2024

Shanieka

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited (“RBC”) is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Kerryl-Lyn King-Henry as Country Manager and Area Vice President (“AVP”), Personal and Commercial Banking, Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

In her new role as Country Manager and AVP, King-Henry will take on full responsibility for the bank’s operations, strategy, and development in the TCI market, with a strong focus on solidifying partnerships with the Government, regulatory bodies, and the local community.

King-Henry brings to the role a dynamism influenced by nearly 25 years of industry experience. Prior to her new appointment, she served as AVP of Business Banking in Trinidad and Tobago. She has held progressively senior roles within both personal and commercial banking, as well as various functional units.

King-Henry holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, with a specialization in Leadership, FinTech and Big Data Analysis, in addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Further enriching her professional profile, Kerryl-Lyn is a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Trainer, Teacher, and Speaker. Her passion for leadership and development is matched by her commitment to community service, as she actively volunteers her time and leverages her professional expertise to mentor and support others. “

Kerryl-Lyn’s extensive experience and proven leadership capabilities make her the perfect choice to lead our operations in the Turks & Caicos Islands,” said Ericka Rolle, RBC’s Managing Director and Vice President, Personal Banking, The Bahamas and TCI.

“Her commitment to excellence, combined with a genuine passion for community engagement, aligns perfectly with our Bank’s purpose of helping clients thrive and communities prosper. We are excited to see the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to her new role,” she added.

Bahamas News

Get your laugh on, March On show coming to Turks and Caicos with box office at IGA Friday and Saturday

Published

3 days ago

May 3, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

After resounding success in the Bahamas, hit play ‘March On, The Story of Us’ has been inundated with requests to take their show on the road, and the first location they’ll be hitting is Providenciales Turks and Caicos with tickets on sale this weekend from May 3 to 5.

Magnetic Media spoke to Gea Pierre, playwright, who told us the TCI was a natural first choice for the cast and crew.

“We started ‘March On’ in November 2023 and it was really an opportunity for us to tell a story, the story of the Bahamas and to encompass the nations that we have an amazing relationship with like the Turks and Caicos,” she continued “We really got a lot of people calling [for the play] from [the TCI], so much so we really had to pay attention.”

The response to ‘March On’ at home and abroad was overwhelming.

“To say it went well is an understatement, even before we opened we got calls from Canada, from all over the US with people wanting us to come and perform.”

And take the show on the road they did! Gea and her team have launched “March On: The Tour” and will be in Providenciales to perform on May 10th and 11th. It’s the first of a number of stops which include Nassau and several US locations.

A ticket booth will be set up from today, Friday May 3 in the foyer of IGA grocery store beginning at 1 p.m. Friday and then again all day on Saturday, allowing residents to purchase with cash.

Online tickets are available for purchase with credit cards. Then the full team returns on Friday, May 11 for the actual showing at 8 pm and their two showings on Saturday at 4pm and 8 pm. The venue is Brayton Hall, Providenciales under the patronage of Washington Misick, TCI Premier and First Lady Delthia Misick.

Describing the close familial relationships between the TCI and the Bahamas, for many on the crew it will be like coming home Gea told us, for others it will be a treat to visit for the first time, the places that their grandparents described.

Tickets are only $60 for general seating and $75 for VIP seating.

Gea maintained that the team wanted to keep the show as accessible to residents as possible.

As for why you should come out and see the play, other than the great price point:

“The way that people have responded to it is non stoplaughter, people have been moved to tears because there’s some emotion. It does not only lend to Bahamians. It’s a family drama, and anyone who’s ever been a part of a family is going to get something out of it, and something moving.”