The Tribune

Officials are planning to take the Tourist Money Never Done workshop to several Family Islands after last week's inaugural event at the British Colonial Hilton was oversubscribed.

The initiative was developed by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, in conjunction with the Bahamas Development Bank (BDB) and Patrick Rahming & Associates, to assist budding tourism entrepreneurs with developing ideas for new products in the sector.

Janet Johnson, the Ministry's director of business development, said: "We are very, very pleased with the first Tourist Money Never Done workshop and, listening to the participants, they are very excited to be here and learn about a new dynamic of the product. We are very pleased this is the reaction and that they are hungry for a new direction, and we are happy to be able to help."

Ms Johnson said the workshop has provided a springboard for the launch of the Tourism Development Board within the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.

"I'm delighted that this is now coming to fruition, and that we are able to work with entrepreneurs and get them to see what the opportunities are, and that we are taking them to the people," she added.

The event was the brainchild of Patrick Rahming, author of the book, Tourist Money Never Done.

"I'm hoping that a fresh approach to tourism will create more opportunities for Bahamians and more product for the tourism industry," Mr Rahming said.

"There's an opportunity for 50 times more product. From what I have heard, we have a bunch of creative people and I'm pretty sure that there is going to be an explosion of ideas after this conference."

Some participants were also excited about their future following the conference. Shiobahn Knowles said she attended to understand The Bahamas' tourism product, but gained so much more.

"I wanted to hear new information, and find out how I would take this information and turn it into dollars and cents. I've been brainwashed and everything that I thought is totally the opposite, and now I have to rethink how do I make the best out of this product that we have," Ms Knowles said.

Brandon Kemp, of Searock Mobile Apps, added: "I've always believed that tourism is the biggest industry that allows growth and redevelopment, and so for me I gained inspiration. I am so glad that there are like-minded people who want to grow tourism as well."