By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
The Minister of Tourism yesterday said the major cruise lines “without question” remain committed to the Bahamas, with the industry preparing more than $500 million worth of investments for this destination over the next two years.
Obie Wilchcombe again sought to allay fears over the impact of Cuba’s US ‘economic liberalisation’ on this country’s tourism industry, even though a Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) paper last year noting suggested this will immediately threaten more than 20 per cent of the Bahamas’ stopover visitor market.
On Monday, Carnival’s Adonia docked in Cuba after sailing from Miami with 700 passengers. It was the first cruise ship to visit the island nation in more than 50 years.
Mr Wilchcombe, who is in Cuba attending the Regional Commission for the Americas International Seminar on Tourism and Culture, held by the United Nations’ (UN) tourism body, expressed optimism “the cruise business in the Bahamas will be there for a long time.”
“Throughout the Caribbean, the cruise lines have been developing ports,” he said. “We have some who are now engaged in major discussions for further development in the Bahamas.
“They are committed to the Bahamas without question, but we know that competition is competition, and we have to ensure that we are constantly working on improving the product.”
The Minister added: “We have major players such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney and Mediterranean (MSC) all now in the middle of completing major negotiations for further development that would mean hundreds of millions of dollars being invested in the Bahamas; in fact, well over half a billion dollars of investment over the next year or two.
“The Bahamas is in a good position. What we have to constantly do is think of the leakages and the linkages. I do appreciate that Cuba is a market that will continue to be appealing because of the mystique of Cuba, because it offers a tremendous set of new opportunities, particularly for the business community.
“We expect that, but we in the Bahamas must look at our product. Their principal market at the moment is Canada. Our principal market is the United States, but we have seen growth from the Canadian market.”
Mr Wilchcombe’s investment figures likely include MSC’s $100-$200 million Ocean Cay private island project, plus the Carnival port proposed for east Grand Bahama.
The Minister reiterated that the Government is working with Cuba on a multi-destination marketing arrangement.
“We will never be Cuba and Cuba will never be the Bahamas,” said Mr Wilchcombe. “We are distinctive brands, and each brand will be able to attract their markets. We have to make sure that we are competitive and stay competitive, and bring down our cost.”
Apart from the cruise sector, the US and Cuba have also struck a deal to allow as many as 110 regular airline flights a day, paving the way for a surge of Americans to travel direct to Cuba rather than transit through the Bahamas, and use airlines such as Bahanmasair.
In December 2014, US president Barack Obama announced major changes in US policy towards Cuba, moving to normalise relations with the island after more than 50 years.
The announcement regarding the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US was said to have followed more than a year of secret talks between the US and Cuba, including meetings in Canada and at the Vatican, and personal involvement from Pope Francis.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 7 years, 11 months ago
Wilchcombe is the primary reason the Bahamas has gone nowhere in tourism over the past 20 years or so. But his sweetie pie says he loves those fat rolls on the lower back of Obie's head that run down his neck line. Not sure what that's all about!
Sickened 7 years, 11 months ago
I don't think it helps the Bahamas much when a cruise line buys a private island and develops it with tax exempt goods from the U.S. If we get more than 1 million from this supposed 500 million investment over the next two years, I will be very surprised.
asiseeit 7 years, 11 months ago
That 500 million will be used to build up the cruise lines PRIVATE ISLANDS so they can control the Bahamian delegation allowed upon said island, How is this going to help the average Bahamian who has a business or is looking for a job? Toot your bullshit horn all you want, we know the deal. We will get very little out of the deal while those connected (read political croneys) will get fat.
SP 7 years, 11 months ago
At least you would think these dumbass, self serving, corrupt politicians would have cruise lines partner with Bahamas so the country would own a major stake in its number one industry!
The PLP are stupid, stupid, stupid, and double stupid!
SP 7 years, 11 months ago
.............................. Wilchcombe the weasel is a natural dumb jackass ............................
Cruise lines will invest $500M to develop their own private resort destination activities because dumb ass's like Wilchcombe don't have the sense they were born with to create shore activities after DECADES of complaints from airlines, cruise lines and tourist in general that there's nothing to do in Nassau!
Tell us little weasel Wilchcombe, how the hell does cruise lines owning private shore excursions benefit Bahamians? A few jobs maybe, while the lion-share of income produced will be expatriated!
Your an absolute, full blown, dumb, jackass idiot!
Meanwhile, Dominican Republic is doing everything right by creating more resort destination activities to increase tourism spend that benefit the country and are expecting to surpass 6 million visitors in 2016!
http://article.wn.com/view/2016/05/03...">http://article.wn.com/view/2016/05/03...
Wilchcombe couldn't put on his own dress and makeup!
Emac 7 years, 11 months ago
What is "Bahanmasair"?
bloody7691 7 years, 11 months ago
Oh my,, they never said that , what the cruise ship industry did say was that they are being advised that Industry leaders , Carnival .Norwegian , MSC , and others are jointly pursuing expansion opportunities in the Carribean primarly in St Martin, the regions leader in cruise traffic , and Dominican Republic and Cuba the Regions projected future market leader where direct investments of in excess of $500 Million has been earmarked over the next 2 years.
NO WHERE DID THEY MENTION THE BAHAMAS
LOL... THIS GUY DOES NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT COUNTRY HE REPRESENTS ANYMORE
bloody7691 7 years, 11 months ago
oh yeah ans they stated the same time the 1 st CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE LEFT MIAMI FOR HAVAVANA CUBA MAY 1 ST ...ITS HISTORY .....
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