Category: BHA News

New United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, Nicole Avant, would like to see greater use of sustainable energy in her new host country.

In her first meeting with the media, Ms Avant revealed that alternative and sustainable forms of producing energy is a particular interest of hers.

“I believe we must lay the groundwork to protect the environment in order to ensure future economic prosperity,” said the 41-year-old at her Cable Beach home, Liberty Overlook.
…Continue readingNew US Ambassador Pushes Sustainable Energy

The Bahamas is among the Caribbean nations that have suffered the highest declines in tourist arrivals during 2009, a new International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has confirmed, warning that the…Continue readingLong Recession For Tourist-Dependent Nations

Johnson & Wales University, The Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Queen’s College, The Bahamas Hotel Association & Associated Industry and Education Partners present the Second Annual Student Development Conference under the theme: “There is a Place For You… Here!”

Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sheraton Nassau Cable Beach Resort
Nassau, Bahamas

…Continue readingSecond Annual Student Development Conference

The operator of Mandara Spa at Atlantis moved to quell concerns yesterday over the effects of its parent company’s voluntary liquidation — asserting the resort’s spa operations will remain unchanged.
…Continue readingAtlantis Mandara Spa To Remain In Operation

Hotels in New Providence and Paradise Island are projecting low revenue in the month of November, even as they prepare for higher occupancy rates than those seen last year as the North American Thanksgiving travel season picks up.

“Projected hotel occupancies for November are slightly above last year,” Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) President Robert Sands said in a statement sent to Guardian Business. “While we expect higher occupancies, room revenue will be down.”

It’s a factor coming as a result of aggressive promotional packages now being offered to travelers, he said, in an effort for this destination to remain competitive in the marketplace. That move follows continuous declines in the amount of stopover visitors winging their way into the country.
…Continue readingBHA Chief Anticipates Higher Hotel Occupancy in November

The Ministry of Tourism is preparing to launch a near $300,000 initiative centered around a U.K. film project distinguishing the islands of The Bahamas in an effort to boost arrivals from that destination.

The project has already landed the ministry 150 applications from film makers in that destination who are eager to shoot the three to five minute films, from which 14 will be chosen to be shown in cinemas around the U.K. Director General Vernice Walkine asserts Tourism’s 14 Island Challenge could provide the Out Islands with much needed exposure the ministry just can’t pay for.

“We’ll never have a campaign to promote Mayaguana,” she told reporters yesterday. “This we believe is the most effective and efficient way for us to communicate that we have multiple islands… we’ve not done as effective a job in communicating we’re Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera and so on.

“In the U.K. the perception is there is only Nassau and Paradise Island.”

…Continue readingMinistry of Tourism Launches UK Promotion

The next BHA Board and Membership meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 8th at 9:30am at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.  Members please make every effort to attend.  A special…Continue readingBoard and Membership Meeting

The highly anticipated 2009 Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Small Hotels Retreat kicked off in the U.S. Virgin Islands last night with a larger than expected delegation of small hoteliers, optimistic about their prospects in an improved 2010 economy.

“The small hotels of the Caribbean are the salt and spice, and yes – the heart and soul of our region. They are as diversified as our people and we truly believe this is where we stand out,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S.V.I. in her keynote address at the retreat’s opening ceremony. “At the end of the day, this is the group that is vested in our community.”
…Continue readingOptimism At Caribbean Small Hotels Retreat

Some Family Island resorts have suffered a lower than average slow season, down some 75 per cent compared to last year’s 30 per cent occupancy levels, according to the Abaco Beach Resort’s general manager. Some properties have closed altogether for the two-month slow period.
…Continue readingHotel Occupancy Down 75%

The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort has appointed André R. Newbold to the newly-created position of business travel sales manager.
…Continue readingSheraton Appoints New Travel Sales Manager