The Tribune

The Ministry of Tourism recently held a joint dinner and mini tradeshow for 60 members of South Florida's largest travel agent association.

The event, targeted at the Travel Industry Association (TIA) of South Florida, was held at La Jolla in Coral Gables, and kickstarted the ministry's renewed targeting of this business channel.

Travel agents were educated on new hotel product offerings in The Bahamas, and updated on new airlift and tourism programmes. The session was led by the Ministry's sales and marketing team, headed by Betty Bethel-Moss, director of sales, and representatives from FRS Caribbean, Bahamasair, Resorts World Bimini and Bimini Undersea.

Tina Lee, the Ministry's district sales manager for Dade and Broward counties, said: "The Bahamas is pleased to rejoin the esteemed TIA organisation and reengage with the group of influential agents who represent the number one tourist market for The Bahamas, as well as partner with them in providing educational seminars, familiarisation trips and joint targeted promotions, which will further drive business to The Bahamas destination."

Elena Diaz, TIA president and owner of New Era Travel Agency in Miami, said: "This partnership now allows us to work closely with the Ministry, its hotel suppliers and industry providers to create programmes and generate additional bookings that will further increase business for us both.

"Already, we are planning a mega fam trip to Nassau in September for TIA members, which will give us an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the new products being offered."

TIA is south Florida's largest group of travel agents, comprising more than 120 members across Miami, Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.