Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Tourism planners/strategists at work to build on ‘successful’ 2018
#Nassau, November 27, 2018 – Bahamas – Tourism planners and strategists at The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism and Aviation have already planned ahead to ensure that they build upon the successes of the 2018 tourism season next year.
“We look forward to building upon the success and tourism growth from 2018 as we forge ahead with exciting new programmes, partnerships and initiatives planned for the year ahead,” Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. 
Dionisio D’Aguilar said Friday (November 23).
“We are supporting and encouraging the development of new resorts throughout our islands that appeal to millennials and their desire for authentic experiences on vacation, and which appeal to consumers of all ages with particular passions and lifestyles.
“In Nassau, revitalization of the historic architecture downtown, along with new dining and entertainment options are continuing in this district. The past year has been a big one for Baha Mar. The resort has brought new life and new visitors to Cable Beach in Nassau.
Development in Nassau continues as the $120 million ‘The Pointe’ mixed-use project rises on the beach next to the British Colonial Hilton; the Margaritaville brand will be developing the adjacent property.
“In Freeport, the government and Ministry of Tourism are focusing new efforts on the re-branding and revitalization of the island’s tourism. The government recently purchased the Grand Lucayan resort with the intention of securing its future return to the local economy.
“Across our Family Islands we continue to see new boutique properties and eco-friendly resorts on Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Exuma that provide visitors, particularly millennials, with options that match their lifestyles. And, we eagerly await the development of a new, five-star resort eco-resort planned for Long Island.”
Minister D’Aguilar said tourism planners and strategists will continue to work to reach millennials as well as repeat visitors seeking authentic vacation experiences and the natural beauty of all of the Islands of The Bahamas through strategic partnerships and promotions, media relations and attractive programmes for travelers.
“Our priority will be in continuing to position The Islands of The Bahamas as a premiere travel destination, 
evolving our branding to appeal to new visitors and promoting the distinct offerings across each of our unique islands.”
Minister D’Aguilar said the Ministry of Tourism employed a robust marketing programme that communicated the superior, unfiltered Bahamas experience to “our target audience” of Curious for More travelers using a mix of tactics and channels.
He said desk-side Editor briefings and Mix and Mingle events in key markets from New York City to Atlanta to South Florida have also been a valuable tool in developing media relationships, providing new development updates and in encouraging future feature stories.
“The relationships developed have paid dividends over time,” Mr. D’Aguilar said. “We have taken part in media blitzes in New York, Toronto and most recently, in China.”
By Matt Maura
Photo Captions:
Header: Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’guilar (at right) and Director-General of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, addressing members of the media following Mr. D’Aguilar’s Year End Report held Friday, November 23 (2018) in the Conference Room, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Headquarters.
Insert: Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar (far right); Director-General of Tourism, Mrs. Joy Jibrilu (centre), and Deputy Director-General of Tourism Mr. Tommy Thompson, showcase banners detailing the Ministry of Tourism’s marketing strategy of promoting The Bahamas as a sixteen-island destination. Officials say the strategy is yielding the desired results of creating a distinct brand identity for individual islands of the Family Islands of The Bahamas. The resulting impact has been a “whopping” twenty per cent increase in visitor arrivals to the Family Islands between January and August of 2018 when compared to the same time period last year.
(BIS Photo/Kemuel Stubbs)
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.
