The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister says The Bahamas will be “restrained” from consistently growing stopover visitor numbers by 30 percent if it fails to expand the supply of hotel and vacation rental rooms.

Chester Cooper, speaking at the arrival of Alaska Airlines first-ever flight to Nassau from the US west coast, said this week’s anticipated re-opening of downtown Nassau’s British Colonial resort is a timely “magnificent addition” to New Providence’s resort industry.

He said of the British Colonial: “I have had the occasion of doing a preliminary tour several weeks ago, and even then they weren’t completed, but it was fantastic. The lobby areas, the Bullion bar at the back that we used to know, and Jay Mitchell who used to do happy hour, are coming back. I hope that it will be as exciting as before.

“The water features in the back have been really fantastic, 18,000 square feet of meeting space and almost 300 rooms but, most significantly, more than 300 Bahamians employed. I’m excited about this.

As passengers disembarking from Alaska Airlines’ inaugural flight streamed by, Mr Cooper said other airlines are set to launch services from “emerging markets” such as those in South America and the Middle East. “We are in constant dialogue with many existing and new carriers to expand service to The Bahamas. We are working, importantly, with the large major airlines that we have had as partners for many years.American (Airlines), Delta and United (Airlines), JetBlue and others to cause there to be new routes, and new seat capacity, which is equally as exciting as new flights altogether,” Mr Cooper said.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is also working on a strategy to convert more cruise ship passengers to stopover visitors. “We are advancing new niches,” Mr Cooper added.

“We’re launching new programmes in sustainable tourism so that the world understands that it’s beyond sun, sand and sea, but we have a rich heritage.

“We have a rhythmic, vibrant culture. Of course there are the idyllic waters, and of course the fabulous beaches that all of our guests come to enjoy. But beyond sun and sea is where we going in 2024. We will continue to share the richness of our culture and our people.”

The Bahamas is “strategically positioned” to take advantage of airlines wanting to make the country a prime destination for travellers because of its US pre-clearance and Transportation Security Agency (TSA) pre-check facilities that make it an international hub.

Mr Cooper said: “I announced in Parliament several months ago that we are working on a strategic partnership for Bahamasair (with Qatar Airways). For technical, financial feasibility and business planning studies. We’ve talked a lot with them about creating hubs in The Bahamas, and for the Caribbean.

“We are in active discussions about cargo. We’re looking at the possibility of expanding the cargo business in Grand Bahama and, of course, we are seeing how we might continue to advance the planning and development for Exuma as the hub for the south and central Bahamas and, of course, Nassau is the hub for the rest of the Caribbean region.

“So we are drawing on their expertise. You would know that Qatar Airways, one of the most profitable airlines in the world, and their chief executive recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the various successes. So we’re in good company, and we continue to dialogue with them this week and the prospects are promising.”