Minister Wilchcombe visits the GBI Tourism Office following Hurricane Matthew

After seeing for himself the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Minister of Tourism Hon. Obie Wilchcombe paid a special visit to the hardworking Ministry of Tourism team on Grand Bahama Island to discuss the future of the island’s tourism industry.

Minister Wilchcombe and the team met to brainstorm ideas and begin plans to create a “new tourism product” for the world to re-discover. 

Though some may view the hurricane’s destruction as a setback, Minister Wilchombe called it an opportunity to reinvent Grand Bahama Island. 

“It is imperative that we get the product ready again,” Wilchcombe said as he encouraged the tourism team on Grand Bahama Island to orchestrate an aggressive plan.

In a society where social media is prevalent, Minister Wilchcombe said Grand Bahama Island must position itself at the forefront of an ever-changing modern market.

One of the main goals of the Minister’s visit to the Grand Bahama Tourism Office was to bring the team together to form a global message that is unified and impossible to misconstrue.  

The tourism team also came up with a robust plan to keep Grand Bahama’s tourism industry relevant during the island’s rebuilding efforts.

Sharing stories of rebirth, organizing launch events, and leveraging the island’s local celebrities, such as Buddy Hield and Jonquel Jones is high on the list.

An increase in the marketing presence will ensure that the consumer is aware of the clear message that Grand Bahama Island is not closed for business, but in feverish preparation for a more dynamic future in the tourism sector. 

With hoteliers and business owners making headway in revamped restoration, Betty Bethel, Director, Ministry of Tourism, Grand Bahama, said: “When we relaunch it’s not just relaunching physical structures, but a whole new attitude of service and hospitality.” 

With spirits lifted and an emphasis on training and rebuilding, the tourism staff in Grand Bahama is ready to take on the task of making the island’s tourism’s great again.