Grand Bahama Makes Strides for Increasing Tourism

The Grand Bahama Island wants more visitors. To that end, the Ministry of Tourism is vamping up their appeal by taking steps to make it more affordable, desirable and easier for US citizens to visit.

Several steps are being proposed toward this goal, according to the Director of the Ministry of Tourism, Vernice Walkine. Addressing changes to the island’s points of entry will be first and foremost. The international airport may see the amount of certain taxes charged and the fees applied reduced or perhaps even eliminated in some cases.

The Ministry is also in full support of the development of a new cruise port at the Grand Bahama Island, and feels that the faster it happens, the better it will be for the island and the general public.

Another move to increasing the number of visitors to the island is to model it after Dubai in the respect of developing Grand Bahama as a duty free shopping area. Not only would it benefit Grand Bahama as the Freeport Container Port becomes known and developed as an important hub for distribution of goods, but it would also help businesses in general; accelerating sales and increasing employment opportunities. The Ministry believes that, with the close proximity of the island to the US East Coast, these measures would entice US shoppers to fly in, shop and then depart for home with their goods.

The Ministry of Tourism also feels that visitors would be more likely to have a satisfactory visit to the Grand Bahama Island if a one stop shopping source for their trip were available. Their plan is to launch an initiative where a guest is able to purchase accommodations, dining and beverages along with selected activities all in one fell swoop. Tier packaging will enhance the deal, with budget, standard and luxury choices available for purchase. In addition to providing great deals for the guest, the “Club Grand Bahama” would offer tremendous opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

While attracting visitors in a stressed economic market is extremely difficult, Ms. Walkine stressed that Grand Bahama is ready for the challenge. She believes it is time to take the island’s high potential and turn it into reality through enactment, and that there is no time like the present to begin.