Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: BMOTA – COVID-19 One Year Later Recap Budget Release
#Bahamas, March 29, 2021 – After enduring one of the most challenging years in history, which devastated The Bahamas’ vital tourism industry and resulted in an unprecedented financial deficit, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation remains unwavering in its commitment to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and help the country move forward to brighter, more prosperous days.
While this past year has shaken the tourism economy to its very core, a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan and streamlined travel protocols have enabled The Bahamas to rebuild traveler confidence that a seamless and safe vacation is within reach. Nimble marketing and digital initiatives allowed the destination to remain competitive, even within a new virtual landscape, and efforts have led to an average of over 2,000 travel applications a day, a number that is steadily increasing.
With vaccine distribution ramping up both in The Bahamas and abroad, major hotel reopenings and the return of cruising in The Bahamas on the horizon, there is steadfast optimism that the country will once again achieve record-breaking tourism levels.
Several key factors are contributing to the destination’s collective commitment to safety and a successful return of tourism:
Tourism Recovery and Readiness Plan: The country pivoted quickly to adapt to the new normal, engaging 30 sub-committees and over 150 contributors to thoroughly prepare to protect residents and welcome back visitors safely. Through compliance workshops, over 10,000 tourism professionals were trained in COVID-19 health protocols over the course of three days. To date, the vast majority of the Bahamian hospitality sector, upwards of 40,000 participants including hotel staff, cab drivers, tour operators and more —have been trained and are adhering to the new streamlined protocols. These protocols continue to be enforced through the Clean & Pristine Certification program, ensuring all entities are following the government mandated health and safety guidelines.
Streamlined Health Visa and Entry Protocols: The Bahamas developed a system that would assist in the return to travel in as safe a manner as possible. The Health Visa platform was brought to market quickly and continues to turn around speedy approvals – often in as little as six hours.
The proof of this effort is in the numbers as we continue to see increase in travel applications. For the past four months, the Ministry has received over 125,000 travel applications from both visitors and returning residents and since the New Year, is currently averaging over 2,000 applications each day — and growing.
Pre-arrival PCR testing, fifth day rapid test requirements and daily online health questionnaires allow visitors and residents to enjoy the country more freely without the need to quarantine, and with vital peace of mind that all proper precaution is being taken.
COVID-19 Case Management: With strategic testing, literal case-by-case island restrictions and Health Visa requirements, the country was able to reopen its borders to tourists. Typically, the number of positive cases is less than 5% of those tested as case numbers to date remain low. This is not only due to the implemented protocols, but also to the vigilance of Bahamians who embraced the new normal to minimize spread and keep one another safe – contributing to the imperative containment of the virus throughout the islands.
Going Virtual: Virtual consumer trade shows allowed The Bahamas to maintain high visibility and promote increased stakeholder engagement at key events like the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show and World Travel Market, while hosting a number of owned virtual experiences such as the Virtual Diving Pavilion and “From The Bahamas With Love” Virtual Romance Expo. These experiences allowed The Bahamas to not only grow databases and maintain competitive edge and awareness, but also created more personalized opportunities to connect with clients.
Industry Accolades: In recognition of these efforts, The Bahamas received the “Innovative Destination of the Year” award in the Caribbean Journal’s 7th annual Travel Awards for continued flexibility throughout the pandemic and for setting a regional standard for destination entry practices. The Bahamas has also received a “SafeTravels” stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council, which acknowledges the governments and companies that have implemented global standardized protocols for health and hygiene.
“These efforts have set the destination up for success as we move forward. The comprehensive COVID19 response has reassured future visitors that they can enjoy their time throughout our islands with the peace of mind that the health and safety of visitors and residents has been and will continue to remain the top priority,” said the Hon. Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism & Aviation.
The Bahamas is uniquely positioned as travelers look to book vacations given the country’s close proximity to the U.S., outdoor activities readily at their fingertips like fishing, boating, diving and a vast number of secluded beaches and Family Island offerings perfect for a socially distant escape.
As cases decline and more people become vaccinated, we are seeing COVID-19 slowly begin to loosen its grip on the world tourism industry. In order to bring back tourism, staying the course will remain important as current protocols continue to prove successful in minimizing the spread and instilling traveler confidence. While vaccines bring a dose of hope and protection, precautions need to remain in place as experts urge vaccines provide a high amount of protection against contracting the virus and/or developing life-threatening symptoms. There is simply not enough data to date around the ability to protect the transition of COVID-19 to others who might not yet be vaccinated.
While the past year has been one of the most challenging yet, the country has overcome similar challenges before – and will do so again. The Ministry is confident if case numbers remain low, and the population gets vaccinated, we will welcome more visitors and income and employment from tourism, and will bounce back to record 2019 levels.
PRESS RELEASE: BIS
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.
