The Tribune

The Bahamas delivered the message that 90 percent of its dive industry remains operational post-Dorian when the Ministry of Tourism and private firms attended the sector’s largest trade show.

DEMA, considered the world’s sole trade-only event for diving, action watersports and travel professionals, was held from November 13-16 at the Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando.

The Bahamas was represented by members of the Bahamas Dive Association (BDA) and the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, who joined forces to reiterate that this nation remains open for business despite the tragic blow inflicted by Hurricane Dorian.

Neal Watson, the BDA’s president, and one of the group’s leaders, said: “The timing of the DEMA show has been perfect to meet with the dive travel leaders and publications to explain face-to-face our message.”

He added that the message is “because we are blessed with a country of 100,000 square miles, 700 islands and an area spanning from north to south over 500 miles, despite the disaster to Grand Bahama and the Abacos, 90 percent of the country and the majority of The Bahamas’ dive operators were not impacted.”

The Bahamas Diving Association is the official dive association for The Bahamas, and represents 37 dive operators on 11 islands, including dive liveaboards. “The best way to support those that were impacted [by Hurricane Dorian] is to visit The Bahamas and dive our beautiful reefs, walls and magnificent and abundant marine life,” said Mr Watson.

DEMA (The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association) is the trade association for the international scuba diving industry. With more than 1,400 members, the association’s mission is to bring businesses together to grow the diving industry worldwide.

The show enables members to connect with hundreds of dive equipment manufacturers, “travel destinations, apparel wholesalers and service providers, and network with 9,500-plus credentialed industry colleagues”, according to show organisers.

Prominently featured at the show, The Bahamas team not only spread the word about those dive businesses that were not affected, but also shared good news about the ones that were affected.

Show attendees learnt that despite the massive damage to the Abacos and Grand Bahama, UNEXSO in Freeport is open for business and Old Bahama Bay on West End, Grand Bahama, reopened on November 1. Brendal’s Dive in Abaco, despite taking the brunt of Dorian, saw its dock survive and its shop is now being repaired.

Other Bahamas-based DEMA show exhibitors included Aggressor Adventures; All Star Liveaboard; Juliet Sailing & Diving; Seadragon Bahamas; Bimini Scuba Centre; Bimini Water Adventures; Riding Rock Inn Resort & Marina; Stuart Cove’s; and UNEXSO.

Ministry of Tourism representatives present included William Cline; its senior director of vertical markets, Greg Rolle; and Bahamas vertical/sports executives, Ahmad Williams and Aram Bethel.