Ministry of Tourism Thanks Industry Partners And Visitors

Executives and staff of the Ministry of Tourism spent Thanksgiving Day saying thank you to industry stakeholders and visitors in a big way by treating them to a free Thanksgiving luncheon at Pompey Square.

Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu said the Ministry of Tourism wanted to pause and reflect on the blessings over the last year.

 “Although Thanksgiving is primarily an American holiday it is always good to give thanks and in spite of it all, The Bahamas has much to be thankful for. This year, Hurricane Joaquin stormed through The Bahamas and devastated many of our central and southern islands. Hundreds of homes were destroyed but through God’s divine providence there was miraculously no loss of life,” she said.

 “Meanwhile, the message has been getting out that due to our archipelagic nature that The Bahamas remained open for business. The Bahamas has also been recognized for its fantastic, awesome, phenomenal tourism product.”

 Ms. Jibrilu stressed that The Bahamas has been recognized globally this year as Travel and Leisure voted Harbour Island “Best Caribbean Island”, the World Travel Awards named The Bahamas the ‘Best Luxury Island Destination’ The Bahamas received the ESQR Quality Achievement Award and Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe was named ‘Best Travel Personality Of The Year.’

 “None of this would have been possible without you, our tourism industry partners and our visitors who are always welcomed in The Bahamas. It is in recognition of your role and the attachment of our partnership with our stakeholders that we have chosen to pause, reflect – and in a spirit of thankfulness for all that God has done for us – host all of you to a thanksgiving luncheon today,” Ms. Jibrilu said.

 After a brief welcome ceremony, members of the ministry’s executive team grabbed their gloves, aprons and hairnets and served food to hundreds of industry partners and visitors.

 Scores of straw vendors, hair braiders, taxi drivers, downtown vendors and other frontline workers came out to give thanks and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.  

At the luncheon, guests were treated to a Bahamian meal of ham, turkey, peas n’ rice stuffing, cole slaw, macaroni n’ cheese and a myriad of desserts.

 Deputy Director General Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson said it was a joy to participate in the event.

 “We’ve gotten a chance to give back to the entire tourism community,” he said. “We have so much to be thankful for. There is the beauty of The Bahamas. Service persons in the industry are doing such a great job so we have a lot to give thanks for.”

 Taneka Sears, a straw vendor was delighted to enjoy the luncheon.

 “I’m happy that they did this for us in the tourism industry because we see the tourists all the time and we love our guests and there is no other place that we would rather be because it is better in The Bahamas,” she said. 

 Maria Scourgen from Montana was one of the tourists who enjoyed the meal.

 “Tourism here is great,” she said. “We’ve been to your forts, the Botanical Gardens. We are here from the United States and we’re here and it’s a blessing just to come here and meet all the people that are so friendly. It’s been great.”

 After enjoying their Thanksgiving meal with a Bahamian twist, many visitors relaxed in Pompey Square and enjoyed the sounds of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band.