Category: BHA News

Business executives yesterday said they were hoping to match last year’s total of 70 exhibitors at the two-day trade show attached to the upcoming 2009 Energy Conference, with some 25 companies already confirmed.

Frank Comito, the Bahamas Hotel Association’s (BHA) executive vice-president, at a press conference to unveil the November 13-14 trade show, emphasised that it was not just designed as a platform for firms in the renewable energy/energy efficient industry, with manufacturers, marketing and public relations firms, food and beverage suppliers, IT firms, financial services providers and tourism-related companies among the 25 already signed-up.

Pointing out that 10,000 persons attended last year’s trade show, Mr Comito said: “We hope we can reach the amount last year of having 70 booth exhibitors. It’s a great opportunity for companies to showcase their latest product and services, and build strategic alliances with local and international companies.”
…Continue reading2009 Trade Show and Energy Conference

The Bahamas needs “to move faster” on renewable energy initiatives and programmes designed to reduce electricity costs, business leaders said yesterday, arguing that import duty exemptions to facilitate efficiency in the sector were not having the desired effect because complementary equipment was still being heavily taxed.
…Continue readingBHA Executive Says Renewable Energy Initiatives Needed

While hotel performance for September and October appears to be “slightly better” than the same period last year, a tourism expert does not expect the industry to fully rebound from the grips of the economic downturn for at least another year.
…Continue readingTourism Not Expected To Rebound For Another Year

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas Hotel Association are bringing together buyers and sellers of goods and services to promote New Business Opportunities and reinforce existing relationships in their annual Bahamas Business Expo & Energy Efficiency Conference.

The event takes place at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort, Independence Ballroom, Nassau, The Bahamas on Friday, November 13th and Saturday, November 14th.

…Continue readingBahamas Business Expo And Energy Conference

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