The Tribune

A Cabinet minister headed a combined private and public sector delegation that sought to harness “the power of the Mexican market” for Bahamian tourism’s benefit.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, and ministry officials were joined by executives from Atlantis, Baha Mar, the British Colonial Hilton, The Four Seasons Ocean Club, Sandals Resorts, the RIU, Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, Viva Wyndham Fortuna, Majestic Tours, Bahamas Experience, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board on a trade mission to Mexico.

The group gave a series of presentations to Mexico City-based media outlets and tour operators on a trade mission that highlights the Ministry of Tourism’s intent to develop the Latin American market.

“We recognise the power of the Mexican market which, with 85 million Internet users, is the fifth largest market in the world on Facebook,’’ said Mr D’Aguilar. “The exciting tourism developments in our country, coupled with the increasing economic potential of the Mexican market, makes this an opportune time to explore business relations.”

Mexico is among the top three countries in the Latin American region that contribute to The Bahamas’ visitor arrivals.

“Our presence here is just one of many initiatives to offer and further promote the multiple and diverse islands of The Bahamas to this important group of travellers, and simultaneously, to continue promotional efforts geared toward Mexico’s local media and travel influencers to ensure that our message resonates loud and clear to their audiences,” said Joy Jibrilu, the Ministry of Tourism’s director-general.

Tourism and hospitality professionals who joined the trade mission to Mexico included Erica Valbuena, director of international leisure sales for Atlantis; Amy Mencl, vice-president of leisure sales for Atlantis; Carey Turnquest, assistant director for the Cove Atlantis; Karin Salinas, senior vice-president of marketing for Baha Mar; Ana Cerna, international marketing director for Baha Mar; Edgar Rubio, leisure sales manager for the British Colonial Hilton; Monica Majors, director of public relations for The Ocean Club; Maria Guadalupe Espina, Mexico’s business development manager for Sandals Resorts; Adriana Laguna, Mexico sales manager for RIU; Nashelly Tapia, director of sales and marketing for Meliá Nassau Beach; Lucila Vargas, sales executive for Viva Wyndham Fortuna; Fred Lounsberry, chief executive, Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board; Mary DiPasquale, director of tour and travel marketing for the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board; William ‘AJ’ Saunders III, director of Majestic Tours; Perez Rodgers, Majestic Tours; Michael Symonette, chief executive of Bahamas Experience; Nasly Osorio, manager of partner relations for Bahamas Experience; and Carmel Churchill, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board.

“Traveling great distances to promote The Bahamas is no easy task, but it speaks volumes that our local partners are here and recognise the importance of missions such as these to our domestic tourism product,” said Ms Jibrilu.

“This is only the beginning of a truly remarkable partnership between The Bahamas and the Mexican market, and we are so excited about the endless future opportunities.”