By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
The Bahamian hotel industry is enjoying a “strong” summer season, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president yesterday suggesting the industry was preparing for perhaps its “best physical product in 20 years”.
Stuart Bowe, who also addressed the 2014 Educator’s Industry Internship, said: “Summer is strong across the industry. Right now, the major hotels like Atlantis are running in the high 90’s [occupancy].
“That’s expected until the end of August. Traditionally in September it slows down, That’s the time when a number of the smaller hotels in the Out Islands, they close as well as the hotels here in Nassau.
“They go through the refurbishment process to get ready for the season in November. As we get ready in September and October, we expect a strong Thanksgiving.”
With the likes of Baha Mar set to open later this year, Mr Bowe said the Bahamian tourism industry was preparing for probably its best physical plant in two decades. “
“We are getting prepared for probably the best physical product we have had in 20 years. Along with Nassau Palm, we have Baha Mar that is opening and properties in San Salvador. The Paradise Island Harbour Club that closes in July will refurbish and reopen as a 250-room all-inclusive next year. Hotel product wise, we have great product,” said Mr Bowe.
The BHTA chief added that apart from airlift, energy and labour costs were among the major challenges affecting the industry.
“Energy and labour costs are still major challenges here. I know there are a number of issues in place, and obviously the BHTA will continue to engage government or any other stakeholders involved in that process. It’s an issue broader than the Bahamas; it’s issue for the region and the world,” said Mr Bowe.
Addressing the summer Educator’s Industry Internship programme, Mr Bowe said it was important to ensure that human capital matches the physical product.
The programme, which was conceived though a Tourism-Education Task Force, was established by the BHTA, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Education as an outcome of the first National Tourism Conference.
More than 1,000 educators from throughout the Bahamas have spent one week of their summer learning about the range of careers in the tourism industry, as well as skills and behaviours essential to succeed.
“We met with about 80 plus human resources executives earlier this year. They noted eight-10 deficiencies,” said Mr Bowe.
“I spoke about three. Certainly, we are looking for courteous persons. Tourism is simply that. We need friendly people to take care of friendly people to ensure that we create world class experiences.
“The second deficiency is critical thinking and problem solving skills. Much of what we do is solving problems and, thirdly, it’s just dealing with small issues like timeliness. Those are three major things we can impact in the education system, and we look forward to students coming out so that we can train them.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 8 months ago
Nassau ya'll in trouble when Bahamar comes on line. BEC ga stay going off!!!
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