The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Baha Mar executives yesterday welcomed moves by a leading Chinese carrier to conduct feasibility studies on charter flights from China to the Bahamas, with the $3.5 billion resortis “strategically positioned” to capitalise on that market.

During Prime Minister Perry Christie’s trip to China last week for the first ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC forum, Liu Shaoyong, general manger of China Eastern Airlines, one of the country’s leading carriers, said it would explore charter flights from China to the Bahamas.

The first direct flights from China  to the Caribbean are expected to begin in September when Air China launches its first direct air route from Beijing to Havana, Cuba.

Gregory Djerejian, Baha Mar’s executive vice-president, who heads the company’s new Asia business development operations, located in Hong Kong, said: “We see this as great news for the Bahamas.

“Increased airlift and visitors from outside North America is important for Baha Mar, the Bahamas and the greater Caribbean. China has quickly become the largest tourism market in the world with more than 100 million Chinese expected to travel internationally this year.

“We believe that Baha Mar is strategically positioned, as a China-friendly destination, to capitalise on this growing market, and offer world-class service and amenities to these and other discerning international travellers.”

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said China was a market that the Bahamas “must go after”.

He added: “It’s a market that the Bahamas must go after. The world continues to change, and China is among the top three world powers. The truth is that China is distributing more visitors throughout the world than any country at the moment.”

Mr Wilchcombe said further: “We are now expecting greater business. The relationship that we are seeking to develop with China Airlines is intended to see how best to proceed.

“Do we look at charter services, do we look at connecting flights, for instance, with Cuba, a country that doesn’t  require a Visa, or do we look at connecting flights through the US, Great Britain or Canada? We are just now exploring but the doors are wide open. We have an opportunity to build the relationship. The Prime Minister’s visit went extremely well.”