The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama must start to capitalse on its US proximity, the Pelican Bay’s general manager said yesterday, questioning how- as the closest Bahamian island - it was more expensive to get there.

Magnus Alnebeck told the Bahamas International Investment Forum that the high cost associated with getting to Grand Bahama was part of the reason the island was not busier.

“It costs to travel to Grand Bahama. That’s part of the problem why we are not busier,” he explained.

“It’s expensive getting here. If it’s the closest island to the US, why isn’t it the cheapest island, too? How can it be more expensive to get to somewhere which is closer?”

Mr Alnebeck added that while the 186-room resort catered primarily to business travellers who were not as turned off by the high price airfares, tourists were.

“To a business traveller, which we are were very much living off in this destination, and in particular, Pelican Bay, the cost of getting here doesn’t matter so much. Most of the people who come here on business are likely to just put it on a company expense account,” said Mr Alnebeck.

“For a tourist that is a big deal. Until we get together and find a solution where our nearness to the US is reflected in the cost of getting here, then - and finally then - we can be successful in our tourism sector.”

Mr Alnebeck suggested that more creative ways be developed to transport tourists to Grand Bahama. “We are the only island, with all due respect to Bimini, where you can realistically take a ferry, spend one or two nights and then go back," he added.

“We need to realise that and find a smart way of getting people here who don’t want to fly.”

Mr Alnebeck also cited airlift and high energy costs as major issues affecting the Grand Bahama hotel sector. He added that the island could benefit from developments in medical tourism and sports tourism as well, using the resort’s little league baseball tournament as a example.

“We believe that increased business opportunities will benefit us greatly. Medical tourism has been talked about, and even sports tourism,,” said Mr Alnebeck.

“When we think about sports tourism we always think about something big. We sponsor a baseball team, Pelican Bay Flyers, 30 boys from age 7-10.

“We took the team to Florida for a tournament. The boys were outstanding ambassadors for the island and their country. Three teams came to us and said that they wanted to come to Grand Bahama and play little league baseball, and asked if we could organise a tournament. We are organising a little league baseball tournament and getting the teams to play.”