Bahamas News
Happy Birthday to Bahamasair, Celebrates 50 Years of Flying to Turks & Caicos
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 22, 2023 – As it marks 50 years of operation Bahamasair flew into the Turks and Caicos on June 15th on a celebratory voyage. The regional flight landed in Providenciales to the spurt of water canons welcoming it to the soon to be officially named Howard Hamilton International Airport.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority, TCIAA hosted the event with live video showing the view from the
aircraft as it landed, giving a bird’s eye view of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Bahamian flags and colors sat alongside the TCIs as Anya Williams, Acting Governor; Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism and E Jay Saunders, Deputy Premier attended the special golden celebration.
‘We Funk’ Junkanoo group opened the festivities with a rhythmic rush; the brief ceremony was hosted by Nikeva Ariza, Corporate Affairs and Communication Manager of the Airports Authority.
Bahamasair is the official flag carrying airline of The Bahamas and has served the TCI faithfully for decades connecting the country to the world even prior to some of the larger more established international airlines.
It’s only fitting that the airline celebrated along with the Turks and Caicos which they have served so faithfully and whose residents have supported the airline with dedication.
Norman Saunders, former Chief Minister, was invited to speak at the event and had some insightful history to share with the audience.
“We welcome you and we remember your flights into the TCI with fondness,” he continued, “I was the first agent for BahamasAir in these Turks and Caicos Islands.”
He described going to Nassau for training in writing tickets, handling passengers and more.
“At the time there was only one airport that BahamasAir could land at and that was in South Caicos- and passengers had to travel from Provo out the other islands by boat believe it or not,” he revealed.
The airline began officially on June 18 1973, the same year the nation gained independence, with inter country flights
from one Bahamian island to the next. In that same year it expanded to other destinations including the Turks and Caicos.
“It wasn’t always easy flying from South Caicos to Inagua to Nassau but you were the pioneers of commercial air service into these islands and for that we will always be grateful to you,” Saunders declared.
Michelle Lee, Station Manager at Bahamasair at the Providenciales International Airport said, “This service unites families, provides a rich exchange of culture, fosters business opportunities and gives travelers access to some of the best beaches and friendliest people this side of heaven.”
In that same vein, Managing Director of Bahamasair Tracy Cooper offered, “Bahamasair takes the time to thank the people of the Turks and Caicos for your unwavering support over these years.”
A plaque was presented to Mr. Cooper on behalf of the Members and Executive of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association. A 50th Anniversary cake was also cut in commemoration of the festivities also spearheaded by Godfrey Smith, CEO of the TCIAA.
The message from all speakers was one of family and togetherness and a promise of a lasting, expanding connection.
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.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
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!
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.
