BHTA Wants Greater Private Sector Role In Shaping Tourism Policy

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) is pressing for a greater private sector role in shaping tourism policy, telling the country’s new tourism minister that industry stakeholders should be consulted before legislation affecting the sector is introduced, the BHTA said in a press statement.

The call came during the BHTA leadership’s first formal meeting with Minister of Tourism Glenys Hanna-Martin and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOT). Both sides discussed priorities ranging from workforce development and infrastructure to airlift and visitor growth.

BHTA President Jackson Weech described the discussions as constructive. He said the association wants to deepen collaboration with the government as it seeks to address the challenges facing the country’s largest industry.

“We were pleased to participate in a frank, open, invigorating, and insightful dialogue with Minister Hanna-Martin, and senior representatives from the MOT,” Weech said.

“We look forward to continuing to build upon our foundation of trust and partnership, intensifying and deepening the level and frequency of meaningful engagement opportunities between our respective organizations to achieve strategic, aligned outcomes for the betterment of the people of The Bahamas.”

He added: “I think it is fair to say we agree, there is much work to be done and common objectives are best attained through communication, collaboration and the apt leveraging of cross-sectoral public and private sector partnership and engagement; the sharing of expertise, experience, insights and the apt allocation of financial resources that will get the job done.”

Among the issues raised by the association was the need for the government to engage industry organizations before introducing policy changes that affect tourism operators.

The BHTA said the private sector, through representative organizations and other industry groups, should be “further meaningfully engaged” when the government is contemplating legislation impacting tourism, allowing businesses to provide “boots on the ground” perspectives from across the tourism ecosystem.

The association also outlined several priority areas requiring continued collaboration with the government, including workforce development, youth training, stopover visitor growth, expanded airlift with a particular emphasis on the Family Islands, improvements to critical infrastructure, strengthening the tourism product, enhancing the Jet Ski industry and taxi experience, supporting local sourcing and entrepreneurship, promoting Bahamian culture and heritage, increasing the share of tourism spending retained within the local economy, and ensuring all businesses benefiting from the tourism sector contribute fairly to the public purse.

The meeting was attended by BHTA President Jackson Weech, Immediate Past President Robert “Sandy” Sands, Vice President for the Family Islands Victor Karavias, Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board Executive Director Kerry Fountain, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board Chief Executive Officer Joy Jibrilu, BHTA Executive Vice President Suzanne Pattusch, Parliamentary Secretary Randy Rolle, Tourism Director General Latia Duncombe and Tourism Deputy Director General and Director of Aviation Dr. Kenneth Romer.

The Nassau Guardian
Chester Robards
Published June 26, 2026

Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association President Jackson Weech (left) meets with Tourism Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin. BHTA