Good News from The Bahamas
Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 31 2019 – With exciting new openings and events, the month of June set The Islands Of The Bahamas up for an exciting summer. From the announcement of NBC’s The Voice coming to Baha Mar for a new summer concert series to the opening of the world’s first land-based coral farm, these new activities are sure to draw in tourists. Andros’ Small Hope Bay Lodge, Harbour Island’s Valentines Resort & Marina and the Nassau Airport Development Company all placed in the top two of their respective categories in CHTA’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum Awards. With all of the excitement leading up to the summer, it’s not surprising to see that the monthly ForwardKeys Survey shows the islands are still perceived as a leading Caribbean destination.
NEWS
International Arrivals Continue to Climb –The June ForwardKeys survey, which tracks inbound visitor data, revealed that international arrivals to The Bahamas increased by an impressive 7.1% in May with positive performances from the United States and Canada. Due to the summer holidays, forward bookings for the next three months are running 8.4% ahead with June, ahead by 12.3%, showing the most favorable outlook.
Coral Reef Restoration Farm Opens – The world’s first land-based coral farm, Coral Vita, is now open in Freeport. The farm will serve as an education center teaching tourists and locals about the need to restore dying reefs. Coral Vita uses micro-fragmenting technology to grow coral and transplant it into degraded sites.
NBC’s The Voice is Coming to Baha Mar - Past winners and favorites of the hit NBC singing competition, The Voice, are coming to Baha Mar July 4 – August 3 for a new extension of the show: The Voice Summer Series. Tickets to concerts, with performances by Jordan Smith, Blaze Johnson, Mary Sarah and Chris Blue, are complimentary for hotel guests.
Long Island Press Trip– Five top-tier media from leading travel and lifestyle publications, including Men’s Journal, Lonely Planet, Popsugar, Travel Channel and National Geographic Traveler traveled to Long Island to unplug and immerse themselves in Bahamian culture. Resulting coverage will highlight their stay at Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas, snorkeling Dean’s Blue Hole and their People-to-People experience.
AWARDS
CHTA’s Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum Awards– The Islands Of The Bahamas took top honors at Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s annual CHIEF awards. Small Hope Bay Lodge in Andros placed first in the Environmental Sustainability category for its solar power initiatives. Valentines Resort & Marina on Harbour Island place first in the Sales and Marketing award category through its social media and email marketing efforts. Nassau Airport Development Company placed second in the Business Operations category for its new operation procedures to improve passenger experience.
PRESS INQUIRIES
Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
Weber Shandwick, Public Relations
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