BAHAMAS: Flamingo Air

Flamingo Air is a small airline in the Bahamas. Its base of operations is the Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport.

It also has offices in Marsh Harbour Abaco Airport, in Bimini International Airport, and in the Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau. It provides scheduled service to several islands, as well as Air Charter service to the Bahamas and south Florida.

Another airline that was based in the Bahamas with a similar name was Flamingo Air Lines which operated scheduled passenger service during the early 1970s with Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop and Convair prop airliners from its base in Nassau.

The operation has had several minor incidents or accidents none of which has resulted in injury:

- 31 July 2012 - Piper Aztec experienced mechanical problem departing Freeport.

- 18 August 2012 - Cessna 402C hit trees while attempting to abort a landing in heavy rain.

- 4 October 2013 - Cessna 402 landing gear collapsed during landing at Mayaguana on a charter flight.

- 3 June 2016 - Beech 99 landing gear failed during landing at Staniel Cay.

Flamingo Fleet is as follows:

- 402C Utiliner/Businessliner 3

- Beechcraft C99 Commuter 1

- Beechcraft 99A Airliner 4

Flamingo flight schedules

- Freeport to Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands

- Freeport to Walker's Cay Abaco Islands

- Freeport to Moore's Island

- Freeport to Great Harbour Cay

- Freeport to Bimini

- Nassau to Staniel Cay

- Nassau to Black Point (Bahamas)

- Nassau to Farmer's Cay


Tourism Observer

CARIBBEAN: Karisma Hotels & Resorts To Expand To St. Lucia And Barbados

Mandy Chomat, chief sales and marketing officer at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, says the all-inclusive company is planning to expand its Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma brand to the islands of Barbados and St. Lucia.

There’s serious thought about expanding to St. Lucia and Barbados, said Chomat.

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is in discussions to expand Margaritaville into these islands over the next few years.”

Chomat also said travelers could expect new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts properties throughout the Caribbean as well. That brand first debuted in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2016.

Karisma is scouting Barbados and St. Lucia, along with other major island destinations, for Margaritaville, An All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma, as well as Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts,says Chomat.

We’re looking at island destinations throughout the Caribbean, including Antigua, the Bahamas, and Grenada, evaluating airlift and infrastructure, among other variables.

In Mexico, the company is opening the El Cielo Winery & Resort in Valle De Guadalupe, Baja California this summer. In 2019, the company is spotlighting the Riviera Maya once again with the opening of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya and Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma.

In addition to our continued expansion in Riviera Maya, Karisma is looking at Baja California, Vallarta and Huatulco in Mexico, said Chomat.

Later this summer, we will also introduce El Cielo Winery & Resort in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, the new Napa Valley.

Although the new Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma brand is expected to be the most popular amongst Millennials, Chomat has noted in the past that Jimmy Buffett, the musician who made the Margaritaville song and brand famous worldwide, has fans or Parrot Heads, that span generations.

St. Lucia and Barbados are globally recognized destinations that appeal to leisure travelers, said Chomat.

The vibe of Margaritaville lends itself beautifully to these islands and others as it’s a state of mind, inviting guests to unwind and enjoy themselves in paradise.

And several Caribbean travel experts TravelPulse spoke with agree.

It will be interesting to see how the Margaritaville concept pans out because I think it will be on a level of luxury that many people wouldn't expect when they think about the brand Margaritaville, said Anthony Tucker, vice president and general manager at the All Inclusive Outlet in Georgetown, Kentucky.

So often people only think of the restaurant or casino in Las Vegas, but the proposed plans are really going to cater towards a luxury-centric customer who wants to just have a blast on vacation.

I think when they open in Cancun/Riviera Maya it will be eye opening and their success there will carry over into even further success in St. Lucia and Barbados.

Ryan Doncsecz of VIP Vacations, Inc. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania also thinks the plans will greatly benefit Barbados, which he thinks is in need of another new, all-inclusive resort.

Another all inclusive resort in Barbados is huge, said Doncsecz. Sandals Resorts International already has proved that an all-inclusive can be a huge success on an island that is predominantly EP.

Finally, St. Lucia getting another brand name shows their dedication to bringing new and exciting experiences to the island.

Petra Roach, U.S. director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), says the presence of a Karisma resort on island would help increase the island's presence amongst Millennials.

Hotel investment is critical to future growth, said Roach, and the Karisma brand brings with it a strong Millennial customer base and a focus on the culinary experience of the visitor - both of which are integral to Barbados’ overarching tourism strategy.

Karisma also remains committed to expanding its relationships in existing destinations like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

In fact, Karisma Hotels and Resorts recently revealed that it is planning to develop a brand new luxury resort, entertainment and retail complex in Jamaica.

The Sugar Cane Jamaica project will be located near Ocho Rios.

It’s the most ambitious development in the country’s history, representing a $1 billion investment and plans for 10 hotels encompassing 5,000 rooms over the next decade, said Chomat.

Karisma first expanded to the Caribbean in late 2013 when it had a soft opening for its first Jamaica resort, Azul Sensatori Jamaica. Karisma then expanded to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2016 in the form of its popular family brand Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts.

The smaller islands of the Caribbean are a fast growing portion of our business right now, particularly in St. Lucia, so I think those destinations are a perfect fit, said Tucker.


Tourism Observer

BAHAMAS: Nassau High Crime Rate,Armed Robbery Is On The Rise And Tourists Are Often Targeted

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, a member of the British Commonwealth. It is the largest city in the Bahamas and its low-rise sprawl dominates the eastern half of New Providence Island.

Located on New Providence Island, Nassau has an attractive harbour, a colourful blend of old world and colonial architecture, and a busy port.

The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas have made Nassau a popular tourist destination.

Nassau developed directly behind the port area. New Providence provides 200 km² of relatively flat and low-lying land intersected by low ridges none of which restricted settlement.

In the centre of the island there are several shallow lakes that are tidally connected.

The city's proximity to the United States which is 290 km east-southeast of Miami, Florida has contributed to its popularity as a holiday resort, especially after the United States imposed a ban on travel to Cuba in 1963.

The Atlantis resort on nearby Paradise Island accounts for more tourist arrivals to the city than any other hotel property. The mega-resort employs over 6,000 Bahamians, and is the largest employer outside government.

Nassau is the capital and commercial centre of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has an estimated population of 274,400 as of 2016, or 70 percent of the entire population of the Bahamas.

Lynden Pindling International Airport, the major airport for the Bahamas, is located about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) west of Nassau city centre, and has daily flights to major cities in Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The city is located on the island of New Providence, which functions much like a business district. Nassau is the site of the House of Assembly and various judicial departments and was considered historically to be a stronghold of pirates.

The city was named in honour of William III of England, Prince of Orange-Nassau, deriving its name from Nassau, Germany.

The climate is best described as subtropical. With a climate identical to South Florida, the area usually experiences very warm, humid weather throughout the year.

This with cool nights in the 40s during wintertime occasionally, and cold snaps sometimes hitting the region. Snow has been recorded once.

Founded around 1650 by the British as Charles Town, the town was renamed in 1695 after Fort Nassau. Due to the Bahamas' strategic location near trade routes and its multitude of islands.

Nassau soon became a popular pirates' den, and British rule was soon challenged by the self-proclaimed Privateers Republic under the leadership of the infamous Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard.

However, the alarmed British soon tightened their grip, and by 1720 the pirates had been killed or driven out.

Today, with a population of 260,000, Nassau contains nearly 80% of the population of the Bahamas.

However, it's still quite low-rise and laid back, with the pretty pastel pink government buildings and the looming giant cruise ships that dock daily.

Orienting yourself in central Nassau is fairly easy. Bay Street, which runs parallel to the shore, is the main shopping street, filled with an odd mix of expensive jewelry boutiques and souvenir shops.

The hill that rises behind Bay St contains most of the Bahamas' government buildings and company headquarters, while the residential Over-the-Hill district starts on the other side.

As the population of Nassau grew, so did its populated areas. Today the city dominates the entire island and its satellite, Paradise Island.

However, until the post-Second World War era, the outer suburbs scarcely existed. Most of New Providence was uncultivated bush until Loyalists were resettled there following the American Revolutionary War.

They established several plantations, such as Clifton and Tusculum. Slaves were imported as labour.

The city centre is the hub for all activities in Nassau. Thousands of people visit daily, to shop, dine, sightsee and to enjoy the tropical climate of the city.

While the busiest part of central city is the Bay Street thoroughfare and the Woodes Rogers Walk, located across the street from the port and parallel to Bay, the area extends for several blocks in each direction.

It starts at West Bay, around the Junkanoo Beach area. A few hotels and restaurants are located on West Bay.

The next landmark is the British Colonial Hotel, which marks the beginning of Bay Street proper. Pirates of Nassau Museum is just across from the British Colonial Hilton.

The next few blocks of Bay Street are wall-to-wall boutiques, with a few restaurants and clubs interspersed throughout the retailers.

Historical landmarks are also in the vicinity, including Vendue House, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Nassau Public Library.

Although the tourist part of the city centre peters out after about seven blocks, smaller, more local stores are found all the way down Bay Street. At this point, Bay Street becomes East Bay.

The new Straw Market is also a very busy place. After a fire in 2001 it has been rebuilt with a new, more modern look.

It consists of four sections that lead to Nassau Harbour in the back. Also in that area are some jewellery shops and bars.

Cable Beach is recognised as the hotel district of Nassau. Five hotels—two of which are all-inclusive—are located on this strip. The area is also known for its dining, the Crystal Palace Casino, and the golden sands of Cable Beach.

Most of the area's restaurants are located either in the hotels or across the street. There is little to no nightlife. There is a bit of shopping, most of it located in the Wyndham.

The commercial future of Cable Beach is being re-imagined with the development of Baha Mar, a resort and casino project that will bring more than 2,000 hotel rooms and the largest gaming and convention facility in the Caribbean to this section of New Providence Island.

Nassau had a population of 128,420 females and 117,909 males and was home to 70,222 households with an average family size of 3.5 according to the 2010 census.

Nassau's large population in relation to the remainder of the Bahamas is the result of waves of immigration from the Family Islands to the capital.

Consequently, this has led to the decline in the population of the lesser developed islands and the rapid growth of Nassau.

In January 2018, the U.S. Department of State issued the latest in a series of travel advisories due to violent crime. Tourists are often targeted, and armed robbery has increased on all of New Providence.

Lynden Pindling International Airport is located on the eastern side of Nassau. New Providence Airport on Paradise Island was closed in 1999 with runway removed and integrated into the resort on the island.

The Lynden Pindling Airport was recently renovated with separate terminal for International travel and domestic travel. Passengers typically have to wait at least 30 minutes for their luggage and another 30 minutes to clear customs.

Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport is the largest airport in the Bahamas. Major U.S. airlines have flights to Nassau. Limited service from Toronto and London also exists.

The two most popular Fixed Based Operators (FBO) located at Lynden Pindling International Airport are Executive Flight Services and Odyssey Aviation.

Air taxi and air charter companies such as Jetset Charter', Mercury Jets fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets, from charter luxury Gulfstream's down to economical piston twins for small groups and individuals into and out of Nassau.

For many years, travelers complained about LPIA's rundown and overcrowded passenger terminal. A new passenger terminal was finally completed and opened in 2011.

LPIA is one of the few airports with jetbridges that can connect to airplanes of nearly every size including smaller aircraft for which most airports use airstairs.

Visitors arriving on long-distance flights from colder climates don't have to worry about descending airstairs and crossing the tarmac in the tropical heat.

The free drinks occasionally served on arrival and the live band serenading the Immigration hall help set a lively tone for arriving travelers. There's a list of fixed taxi fares posted at the exit.

It's about US$25 and 10 mi (16 km) to most hotels in central Nassau. No public transportation goes into the airport, but if you really want to take the bus, you need to walk out of the airport onto the main road,John F Kennedy Dr.

Cross the road to catch the bus 12B that goes into the city center. There is no bus stop so just wait by the roadside and wave it down when it comes. Runs about every 30 min. Fare is $2.50.

On the way back, note that there are three terminal concourses: domestic and charter flights, flights to the US, and non-US international flights.

Nassau is one of the few airports that offers US immigration and customs preclearance. This means that US-bound passengers are always processed in Nassau before entering the secure terminal area.

US-bound flights are treated as domestic upon arrival with no additional formalities required, and US-bound baggage can be checked through directly to all US destination airports reachable on the same airline, codeshare alliance, or airline alliance.

Historically, preclearance was notoriously slow and it was widely recommended that U.S.-bound travelers show up at least two hours before their scheduled departure time or even three or four hours in advance on major U.S. holidays.

However, the new U.S. passenger concourse has multiple security lines and the U.S. immigration and customs process has sped up dramatically with the introduction of a kiosk-based system in 2014.

The main bottleneck is now the check-in counter for your airline and whether they have multiple full-size passenger jetliners with departure times scheduled too closely to each other on your departure date which means you need to check your airline's published schedule for LPIA.

It is now possible, even on the busiest holidays, to go from curb drop-off to entering the secure area for U.S. passengers within one hour, which means that arriving two hours in advance of your departure time should be more than sufficient.

Security for other destinations is considerably more laid back, and arriving an hour in advance of your scheduled departure should suffice.

Nassau is a favorite port of call for the many cruise ships plying the Bahamas. Up to seven cruise ships can dock at the Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal adjacent to downtown Nassau.

Water taxi and yacht charter companies, such as Bahamas Boat, offer a variety of private crewed charters, in and around Nassau for small groups and families.

Ferries (boats) provide water travel around Nassau to the surrounding islands, namely Paradise Island. Prince George Wharf is the main port in the city that serves cruise ships with ports of call in Nassau.

Transportation and shipping around the Family Islands is primarily through mailboats based at Potters Cay. International shipping is done through the Arawak Port Department on Arawak Cay.

High speed excursions to Exuma, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island are available daily.

Public jitney buses and taxis provide transport in and around Nassau. Rental cars are also available in the city and at the airport.

Major roads in Nassau include:

- Bay Street

- Eastern Road

- Blue Hill Road

- East Street

- Adelaide Road

- Shirley Street

- Soldier Road

- Carmicheal Road

- Prince Charles Drive

- John F Kennedy Drive

- Fox Hill Road

- Wulff Road

- Robinson Road

The major road in Nassau is Bay Street for tourists. Bay Street runs the entire length of the Island from East to West.

Bay Street also provided beautiful beachfront views. The downtown area and the cruise ships are in walking proximity.

The Bahamas is a left-hand traffic country, but many cars are imported from the USA in left-hand drive.

A water taxi service is an available alternative to a taxi to get to Paradise Island from downtown. It is picked up under the bridge and costs $6 round trip. The water taxi stops operating at 6PM.

Minibuses locally called jitneys act as the bus system of Nassau city and New Providence island. Jitneys are found on and near Bay Street.

The famous #10 Jitney to Cable Beach loads passengers on George & Bay Streets in front of McDonalds, across from the British Colonial Hilton. Other jitneys are located on Charlotte & Bay Streets.

A bus will typically wait until it's full before departing. Understanding the various routes can be complex. Many have destinations painted on the bus, but there is no standard as they are run by multiple companies and individuals.

Ask around for your destination. Note that there is no jitney that goes to Paradise Island at Atlantis Resort.

Journeys cost $1.25 per person, per ride. A round trip, even if not getting off the bus for sightseeing, is counted as two rides.

Payment is received by the driver when disembarking. No change is given, and there is no transfer credit for changing busses.

The Jitney is definitely a very inexpensive way to enjoy the local culture. Be aware that the jitneys stop operating between 6 and 7 PM.

The only way back to downtown after 7 PM is by taxi which can be quite expensive. The buses also known as Jitneys are 32-seaters and travel to many parts of the Island.

They operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, except on Sundays when there is limited service. The basic fare is $1.25 per person and $2 for areas on the outskirts of town. Exact fare is required. The schedule is as follows:

From Bay Street opposite Parliament Street to the Eastern end of the Island including foot of the bridge to Paradise Island and return. Bus Numbers: 1, 9, 9A, 9B, 19, 21, 21A, 23

From Bay Street opposite Market Street to the Marathon Mall and return. Bus Numbers: 1, 1A, 3, 19, 21

From Frederick Street Bay Street to Town Center Mall and return. Bus Numbers: 4, 4A, 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 11A, 12, 15, 15A

From Bay Street or George Street to Cable Beach and return. Bus Numbers: 10, 10A

Taxis, often minivans and always identifiable by their yellow license plates and little Gothic blackletter "Taxi" lettering, roam the streets of Nassau.

They're equipped with meters but will usually refuse to use them, so agree on the fare in advance. Expect to pay $15-$20 for even the shortest of trips from downtown to Cable beach.

Here are some of the rates: $4 per person, $11 minimum, from Paradise Island to Downtown.

They will often try to change the rate in the car. They used this tactic twice on me while I was there before I learned.

You could also rent a car. All major U.S car rental shops are in Nassau. Worthy of note for travelers from the UK is the very British feel of the roads.

Unlike the nearby US, cars drive on the left side of the road, have UK road signs and even the odd roundabout.

Scooter or small motorcycle rental is also popular in Nassau.

Bicycle rental is not popular and not recommended as traffic is bad, there are many blind corners in the old streets of Nassau, and cars drive recklessly and on the left side of the road, which you may not be used to.

Within downtown Nassau, you could walk around. Distances are very short and a walking tour is a pleasant way of exploring downtown Nassau.

Nassau has been recognized as a part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a city of Crafts and Folk Art. It is one of only three Caribbean cities to receive this honour.

Junkanoo Festival

The city's chief festival is Junkanoo, an energetic, colourful street parade of brightly costumed people dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums and whistles.

The word Junkanoo is named after the founder John Kanoo. The celebration occurs on December 26, July 10 and January 1, beginning in the early hours of the morning (1:00 a.m.) and ending around 10 a.m.

At the end of the Junkanoo procession, judges award cash prizes for the best music, costumes, and overall group presentation.

These Bahamians spend all year preparing their handmade costumes by using colored crepe paper and cardboard.

Nassau was the main location however, the filming locations were based around South Africa for the Starz Network show Black Sails (2014-2017).

Several other late 20th and 21st century movies have been set here, including After the Sunset, Into the Blue (2005), and Flipper (1996).

It hosted the Miss Universe 2009 pageant.

Nassau was featured as a primary location in the 2013 video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (2013).

In 2005, a book about the 20th century's most famous murder, which happened in Nassau, was published to critical acclaim.

Blood and Fire: The Duke of Windsor and the Strange Murder of Sir Harry Oakes by John Marquis, was praised in the Wall Street Journal as being in the top five books in its genre.

Marquis was managing editor of the Bahamas' leading daily, The Tribune, for ten years from 1999 to 2009.

Another book by Marquis - Papa Doc: Portrait of a Haitian Tyrant - was based on a spy trial in Haiti in 1968 in which the Bahamas Director of Information, David Knox, was sentenced to death,

Take a walk around Old Town, an interesting mixture of abandoned buildings and bright Caribbean structures. It doesn't take long to get away from the over-scrubbed tourist areas in the very center.

Walk ten minutes uphill to the pink Parliament Building, which has a statue of an enthroned Queen Victoria out front.

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Center. 9AM-5PM. Visit the Bahamas' only zoo. See the marching flamingo shows. Let the parakeets land on you as you feed them. $15.

National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, West & West Hill Streets. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Opened in 2003, this showcases Bahamian art from the precolonial era to the present.

The quality of art is rather uneven to say the least, but the renovated building — once the residence of the Chief Justice — is a sight in itself. Adults $5, Students/seniors $3.

Pirate Museum. M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 9AM-noon. Recreations of a pirate town, a pirate ship and a pirate battle, with a few real artifacts mixed in. Cheesy, but fun. Try to catch a guided tour. $12.

Fort Fincastle. A small fort built in 1793 which overlooks the city of Nassau from a small hill south of town. Several cannons are on display. Tours are conducted Monday through Sunday, 8am to 3pm.

The bus tours are pretty interesting. They'll drive you around, and tell you about the local government, tell you about different points of interest, and take you to old forts, and to Paradise Island, to see the famous Atlantis hotel resort and its stunning aquarium.

Straw Market, Bay St. Originally a locals' market, this is now devoted to touristy bric-a-brac. If you are in the market for some souvenirs, this is the place to come.

Don't be discouraged by the initial price of things, as this is the only place you can haggle for a better one.

Americans don't have to worry about exchanging any money either, as US currency is accepted universally.

Potters' Cay, under the Paradise Island bridge. Best known for its fish market, and there are plenty of stalls that prepare fresh conch salad, conch fritters and other Bahamian seafood delicacies, but there's plenty of other exotic tropical produce available too.

Get out of the hotel and try real Bahamaian fare. You can get greasy fish, sides and desserts at one of the holes-in-the-wall in downtown Nassau for around $8.

On the upscale side, there's no shortage of waterside seafood restaurants where it would be easy to part with $50 for an excellent piece of lobster.

Sbarros, McDonalds and Chinese restaurants are mixed in to satisfy the budget diner or someone who has had enough conch.

The Shoal Restaurant and Lounge, Nassau Street. Sa-Th 7:30AM-11PM, Fri 7AM-7PM. If the tourist crowds are getting you down, take a taxi out to where the locals eat.

Enjoy fish that falls off the bone, friendly service, and a dessert of guava duff. $10-$20.

Cafe Matisse, Bank Lane behind Parliament Sq, off Bay St. Tue-Sat noon-11 PM. Tucked away on a quiet lane, Matisse serves excellent Italian food with fresh local ingredients.

Reservations recommended; try to get a seat in the delightful garden courtyard, which is shady by day and lit up at night. Proper dress no shorts or sandals required for dinner. $50-70.

The club scene is nightly and rowdy. Some popular spots:

Senor Frogs. 11AM-3AM. right next to the cruise dock. Situated next a stinky sewer pipe, check which way the wind is blowing before you order. Doesn't serve Kalik.

Club Waterloo, East Bay Street. 8PM-4AM. on the north side of the island, about two miles from the dock.

Cocktails and Dreams, West Bay Street. draws a sketchier crowd, although it is on the beach. Come here in a group.

Cover charges average $20, although all major hotels sell passes for $5. With a pass, cover charge is only $5, so you actually pay $10.

Cover charges on weekends can climb up to $45, so it's a good idea to get a pass from your local taxi driver/hotel desk.

You can also opt for an all-inclusive entertainment pass, which will include a schedule. Expect to follow this itinerary with at least 5,000 other co-eds.

It might be a good idea to pick up this schedule even if you don't plan on participating. It will give you a good idea of places to avoid on certain nights.

Drinks in clubs can get expensive, depending on the club and its location. Most locals drink up before going out, to defray this cost.

That or they can be found in the parking lots with a cooler, Expect to pay at least $4 for a beer and $5 for a cocktail. The one exception is rum, which is cheap and plentiful. Cocktails with rum at a club, will be strong.

John Watling's Distillery, 17 Delancy Street, Within walking distance from the cruise ship port in Downtown Nassau, John Watling’s Distillery is located on Delancy Street.

JOHN WATLING’S rum, the Spirit of The Bahamas offers complimentary tours at its home, the Buena Vista Estate, in Downtown Nassau.

The historic Estate, founded in 1789 and overlooking the harbor, is the site where Bahamians hand-craft JOHN WATLING’S small-batch Pale, Amber and Buena Vista rums.

At the Estate, John Watling’s features a museum-like tour, shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails at its Red Turtle Tavern. Free Tour.

Many of Nassau's hotels are located outside the city core on Paradise Island or Cable Beach.

British Colonial Hilton Nassau, One Bay Street. A hotel catering more to business travelers than package tourists.

Occupies the site of a historical landmark (Fort Nassau), and has its own private beach, from which you get a fantastic view of the cruise ships going into, going out of, and berthed at the docks.

Step out of the hotel and you're right downtown on Bay Street's shopping attractions.

Quality Inn Nassau Bahamas, West Bay & Nassau Street. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Located across the street from Junkanoo Beach, this hotel offers stunning views of white sandy beaches and the crystal-clear blue water of the Atlantic Ocean.

Sunrise Oceanfront Cottage, Eastern Point, Nassau, Bahamas Eastern Road travelling East, pass Prince Charles Drive T-junction on your right, beach on the left, after the 3rd house on your left, turn left, straight ahead yellow cottage on the ocean.

Another option for lodging is to to bid on hotels in the area of cable beach. The Sheraton that normally charges around $232.00 a night or more can sometimes be had for $100.00 a night by bidding on rooms.

The Over-the-Hill area south of downtown is the poorest part of Nassau, and tourists might want to be wary. It is, however, much nicer than slums in the Third World and, indeed, parts of the United States.

Some criminals target restaurants and nightclubs frequented by tourists. The most common approach is to offer victims a ride, either as a personal favor or by claiming to be a taxi, and then robbing and/or assaulting the passenger once in the car.

Take care to ride only in licensed taxis, identifiable by their yellow license plates.

Be wary of the natives offering goods and services. They will tell you anything to get you jet-skiing, on booze cruises, etc.

Locals may solicit tourists with offers of marijuana, hairbraiding services, or a taxi ride. It gets monotonous but a friendly no, thank you and moving on will keep both you and the local happy.

Most Cuban cigars for sale in Nassau are counterfeit. Buy only from reputable dedicated tobacconists. See warning on main Bahamas page.

There is a high crime rate in Nassau at the moment. US Dept of State has labelled New Providence "Critical" and Grand Bahama "High".

Crime previously among drug-related groups has now moved toward armed robberies of tourists.

You always hear about the murders on the Paradise Island Bridge; it doesn't look very safe and who walks there at night anyway?

If you happen to be there just don't go out walking late at night and you'll be ok. If you do want to go somewhere late at night just use a reliable taxi company.

Be careful when crossing the roads as well, as Bahamian people drive like crazy. Watch out especially for the pick-up truck drivers.

Paradise Island Located just across a bridge from Nassau, it is home to the lavish Atlantis hotel and resort.



Tourism Observer

BAHAMAS: Meet Sherrexcia ‘Rexy’ Rolle A Black Woman Growing Western Air

Black women are making telling contributions to the aviation sector, an industry which is largely male-dominated.

The number of women working as pilots keeps rising and the interesting thing is these black women are now calling the shots in the industry.

Apart from owning some of these airlines, these women are also managers and operators.

Sherrexcia ‘Rexy’ Rolle is one of the youngest women to take up this role.

Coming from a small town called Mastic Point, Andros in the Bahamas, the 29-year-old is the Vice President of Operations and General Counsel for Western Air, a Bahamas-based black-owned aviation business.

Even though the company was founded by her parents – Rex and Shandrice Rolle, Rexy has been holding the fort for the business which started in 2001.

The company has since expanded thanks to Rexy. With a net worth of over $90 million, West Air is one of the largest privately-owned airline company in the Bahamas.

In an interview Rexy says her parents started the airline after realizing that some people in certain islands were finding it difficult to travel around as they would want to.

Even though we have a very efficient government airline in the Bahamas, there were certain islands that were not being targeted for our consumers to have a convenient way to travel.

This is where our airline comes in and once we recognized those gaps in the market, we were able to convince our investors why our airline is needed, she said.

Rexy’s parents did not have it easy setting up the airline though. Her father who was a pilot at the time and her mother had to save money and do research with various aircraft brokers.

My parents were eventually fortunate enough through faith, their persistence and dedication in their business plan to receive offers from two aviation investors from the U.S.

From that moment moving forward, Western Air Limited was a dream that is now a reality, she explained.

Touching on some of the challenges the company faced when it started operating, Rexy said their major issue was time management and delays.

What the company did was to find out why these issues were happening and come up with an amicable solution.

Once my team and I began fine-tuning arrival and departure times, our performance began to improve.

Our ticket sales increased also, she said.

Currently, there are various black women holding senior-level positions in so many companies but the worrying issue of sexual harassment and discrimination still persist.

Nevertheless, Rexy has been making strides in her field.

The minute I sense a meeting has turned beyond the level of business, I shut it down immediately.

I learned that if you want people to take you seriously, especially in this industry where I have to constantly negotiate claims and deal with serious regulations, you must be confident in what you know and only do business with people who are focused on the mission in sealing the deal, she explains.

Western Airlines has been increasing its routes across the Caribbean, and now has direct flights to Haiti, Cuba, and Jamaica.

For now, the company will be increasing its online and social media presence to increase its awareness and promote its services internationally, Rexy says.

Western Air Limited is the largest privately owned airline in the Bahamas.

Western Air has its headquarters on the grounds of San Andros Airport in Andros Island, Bahamas.

The airline was established in 2001 by husband-and-wife team, Rex J. Rolle and Shandrice Woodside- Rolle.

Currently, Mr. and Mrs. Rolle serve as president & CEO and COO respectively.

Their daughter, Sherrexcia 'Rexy' Rolle serves as Vice President of Operations and General Counsel. Western Air now operates from their new second hub at Grand Bahama International Airport.

Which will serve as its main northern hub. opening new direct routes to direct flights to Haiti, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, and eventually Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida.

The new $4 million state-of-the-art Western Air terminal will be housing Western Air’s terminal, corporate office and maintenance facility. Western said that their fleet will increase more rapidly due to the rising demand in airlift.

Western Air offers daily flights between Nassau and San Andros, Congo Town, Bimini, Abaco and Freeport on Grand Bahama.

It also operates corporate and touristic charters throughout The Bahamas, the Caribbean, including Haiti and Cuba, as well as South America.

Western Air has also taken over Air Jamaica routes to Nassau The carrier said it has been granted a charter licence by the Jamaican Government and the Jamaican Civil Aviation Authority to operate daily flights from Kingston and Montego Bay to Nassau.

In addition, it said that it was granted a schedule and charter licence by the Bahamian Government and its civil aviation agency to operate flights from the Bahamas to Jamaica.

It will fly between Kingston and Nassau from Sundays to Fridays and between Montego Bay and Nassau twice weekly, on Fridays and Sundays.

Flying direct, from Jamaica to Bahamas eliminates the need to travel through the United States and requiring a United States visa.the airline noted.

This was expected to be welcomed by travelers who would otherwise have no direct flights to and from Jamaica when Air Jamaica discontinued service to that country.

October 8, 2013 marked the inaugural Western Air flight from the Bahamas to Cuba, building what officials hope would be a bridge between the two countries to better facilitate trade and commerce.

The aircraft can seat 33 passengers and is expected to carry out one complete route, once a day, three times a week courtesy of a partnership between Western Air and Blue Bahamas Crossing (BCB).

Captain Wolf Seyfret, Western Air’s Director of Operations, said a demand for such a route does exist based on statistics from other airlines and past services that Western Air has done.

Our average load has been 22 passengers. We’ve had full flights, we’ve had flights with 19 passengers but the average load has been 22 passengers. So yes, from that I can say there definitely is a demand there he said.

He explained that Western Air and BCB have very diligently looked at the market and decided the two carriers that presently provide the service are not able to satisfy demand, leaving room in the market for Western Air to step in.

We can say from observing the current levels with Cubana and Bahamasair there’s a lot of passengers being turned away because of the load factors on both airlines so definitely there is a demand for that service he said.

Mr Seyfret added that the privately owned Western Air can definitely be more flexible than the two government-owned airlines.

Zena Burland, BCB chairwoman, explained that the creation of this new service is mainly geared towards encouraging business opportunities and trade relations between the Bahamas and Cuba.

She noted that transportation remains one of the major barriers that prevents the Bahamas’ movement for commerce, trade, and wider networking in the region.

Blue Crossing Bahamas saw this barrier to regional trade and initiated a strategic solution she said. To this end, it focused on its nearest trading and regional neighbor, the Republic of Cuba.

The Bahamas shares regional trade agreements with the Republic of Cuba. The goals then became to stimulate and encourage the flow of trade and commerce at all sectors of industry thereby creating opportunities for the citizen within the regional areas.

The success of these activities of course needs to be secured and supported by offering a scheduled air service to the republic of Cuba from the Bahamas

Therefore providing a bridge for Bahamians, Cubans, and those from the US with full complete approval to visit Cuba for vacation, education, health care and family visits.

Likewise for them to also visit the Bahamas and other regional areas. BCB is already engaged with businesses that are interested in the new service, Ms Burland said, adding that BCB and Western Air recognize the need for reliable air transportation service between the Bahamas and other countries in the region.

They are providing these air link services to provide the venue for large scale development and hotel development to reach its strategic goals by positioning itself to support these developments as we seek to create our strategic partnering program to enhance and promote regional developments.

The Western Air service leaves Nassau for Havana at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It leaves Havana on its return trip to Nassau at 8:15 pm the same day.

Western Air unveiled its new 6 million dollar passenger terminal and maintenance facility on Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Due to high demand in airlift the airline will be introducing new destinations and reopening old ones.



Tourism Observer

CARIBEAN: Tourism Shoots Up

The Expedia group reported that travel demand to luxury properties throughout the Caribbean increased in 2016. When compared to 2015, overall demand for four and five-star rated properties throughout the Caribbean increased by nearly 20 percent in 2016.

Likewise, the Caribbean’s leading destinations also experienced luxury demand growth including the Dominican Republic (15 percent), Puerto Rico (5 percent), Jamaica (nearly 30 percent), Aruba (nearly 20 percent), the Bahamas (10 percent) and Turks and Caicos (35 percent) in 2016 when compared to the previous year.

Per a recent report by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Caribbean tourism accounted for nearly 30 million arrivals to the region in 2016 with visitor spending hitting new heights, representing a unique opportunity for Caribbean hoteliers specializing in luxury travel.

In 2016, the Caribbean destination with the highest luxury inventory was Paradise Island, with more than 80 percent of the Bahamian island’s hotels being four and five-star property.

Additional destinations where the majority of hotel inventory was comprised of four to five-star rated resorts included St. Martin (nearly 80 percent), Punta Cana (nearly 80 percent), Turks and Caicos (more than 75 percent) and St. John Virgin Islands (nearly 75 percent).

With four and five star properties representing more than 50 percent of Expedia group’s travel demand throughout the Caribbean, the company proudly offers hotel partners insights on mobile travel searches and booking patterns, how luxury travelers book, and how they shop and choose hotels.

The Expedia market management teams partner with hoteliers to effectively engage the luxury market across devices and throughout the entire travel planning process. This valuable information is readily available to partners to ensure that their strategy targets this niche market.

While the Caribbean’s various destinations attract a diverse range of travelers from around the world, according to Expedia group data the United States represented the largest market for the region’s luxury segment followed by Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil and France in 2016.

The Caribbean’s luxury segment received a significant influx of Swiss travelers in 2016, who attributed to an increase of nearly 175 percent when compared to 2015. Additional international markets with noteworthy year over year increases in demand in 2016 include the Netherlands with nearly 50 percent growth and Germany with more than 40 percent growth.

“We’ve seen luxury travel continue to thrive throughout the world, including the Caribbean,” said Demetrius Canton, Director of Market Management for the Caribbean, the Expedia group. “Expedia works closely with hotel partners seeking to tap into new and growing markets, including the luxury segment, by utilizing the company’s innovative technology and global marketing strategies.”

Expedia group can also report that in addition to boasting higher average daily rates in 2016, luxury properties represented an opportunity for hoteliers in the Caribbean as four and five-star resorts featured longer booking windows (average of 55 day) and lengths of stays (4.3 days) when compared to one to three-star hotels which saw an average booking window of 37 days out and an average length of stay of 3.2 days.

By working with the Expedia group, luxury hotels throughout the Caribbean gain exposure from the more than 200 travel booking sites in more than 75 countries in 35 languages, in addition to a myriad of mobile sites and apps, from brands such as Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Travelocity®, Orbitz®, Hotwire®, Egencia®, Expedia® Affiliate Network and others.

USA: Southwest Announces 22 New Routes

Southwest Airlines, which plans to grow capacity 3.5% in 2017, has released details on 22 new and seasonal routes, including four international routes originating from its forthcoming international concourse at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida.

As of Nov. 30, 2016, the Dallas, Texas-based carrier had taken delivery of 131 of 155 Boeing 737-800s on order; 32 were delivered through Nov. 30, approximately three per month. At this rate, the remaining 737-800s should be delivered by July, in time for the planned entry-into-service of Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft, for which Southwest is the launch customer. Southwest has 200 737 MAXs on order.

Southwest’s new five-gate international Concourse A at Fort Lauderdale’s Terminal 1 is scheduled to open June 4. On that date, Southwest will launch 1X-daily service to Grand Cayman. On June 6, the airline will begin new routes to Montego Bay (Jamaica), Belize and Cancun (Mexico). The new routes are pending government approvals and will bring to eight the total number of international routes Southwest will operate from Fort Lauderdale (along with Nassau, Bahamas, and Cuban cities Havana, Varadero and Santa Clara).

Additionally out of Fort Lauderdale, Southwest plans to launch new 1X-daily service to Washington Dulles, 1X-daily service to Philadelphia, and 1X-daily service to Orlando beginning June 4.

The airline will also launch a new 2X-daily Tampa-New York LaGuardia service, as well as a weekend Pensacola-Denver route.

The airline also announced new Ohio routes beginning June 4, concentrating on operations out of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Cleveland International Airport. Southwest plans to end operations out of airports in both Akron-Canton and Dayton on June 3. The new Ohio routes include daily Cincinnati-Baltimore, Cincinnati-Chicago Midway, and Cleveland-Atlanta service. The airline will increase Cleveland-St Louis service to 2X-daily.

Also out of the US midwest, Southwest will introduce new Indianapolis-Newark and Nashville-Minneapolis service, starting June 4.

On the US west coast, Southwest is boosting service from San Diego with two new routes (San Diego-Boise, Idaho and San Diego-Salt Lake City, Utah) and three seasonal routes (San Diego-Newark; San Diego-Spokane, Washington; and San Diego-Indianapolis, Indiana). All routes will begin June 4.

Additional new west coast routes to launch on June 4 include Portland, Oregon-San Francisco; San Jose, California-Reno, Nevada; and a seasonal route between Oakland, California-Newark.

Bathrooms Make Air Travel Hard For Passengers With Disabilities

Californians Barbara Ball and her husband have travelled extensively: Greece, France, Italy, the Bahamas and all over the United States, to name a few.

She feels fortunate to have visited so many places before a blood clot in her right leg led to its amputation five years ago.

Ball now has a prosthetic but spent a few months in a wheelchair during rehab. So it struck a chord when she heard about her friend's brother, a double amputee in a wheelchair living in South Carolina, who can't take a domestic flight top visit because he can't access the onboard bathrooms.

She wondered if disabled-accessibility rules weren't the same in the air as they are on the ground.

It's a good question.

Disabled accessibility on airplanes in the United States is not covered by the Disabilities Act, and there the Air Carrier Access Act, written 30 years ago, has limitations.

Washington resident Malcolm Cumming cares for his wife, Deborah Livesey, who has multiple sclerosis and has been in a wheelchair for two decades.

It was just two years ago that he accidentally broke his wife's arm trying to get her into a lavatory that was not disabled accessible during a flight to San Antonio.

Accessible lavatories are required only on aircraft with more than one aisle, but not on smaller aircraft used for domestic flights.

America's Department of Transportation reasoned that the larger aircraft are used for longer flights and transport the greatest number of people, so it is more likely a disabled passenger will need an accessible lavatory, said department spokeswoman Caitlin Harvey.

But Cumming said most domestic flights, even across the country, are in single-aisle aircraft and can last the better part of a day, depending on the number of stops. Furthermore, wheelchair users are the first ones on and the last ones off, adding about another hour to the onboard time.

It's unrealistic and unfair to expect a disabled passenger to refrain from using the rest room for that long, Cumming said.

Wheelchair user Barry Smith has been on flights lasting more than eight hours to Washington, DC, and 13 hours to Alaska; nearly all of them were on single-aisle aircraft.

Smith suffered a spinal cord injury from a diving accident as a teenager. He uses a catheter but said he could not access the lavatories if he needed to.

Smith is the executive director of the Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living in Modesto. He's helped clients prepare for air travel by sharing some of his experiences.

An onboard or aisle wheelchair is needed to board the plane because standard wheelchairs are too big to fit through the doors, down the aisle or in the bathrooms.

Smith describes such a chair as essentially a refrigerator dolly with a seat. The wheels are on the bottom so it cannot be operated by the person with the disability. Instead, the chair is pushed or pulled backward down the aisle by an airline employee after the passenger is strapped in like "a NASCAR driver," Smith said.

He said employees need to be better trained to operate the chair and help the person with the disability get into a seat. Smith's feet have dragged on the ground, he's bumped into things and he's been dropped on the chair's armrest.

He said he's never tried getting into a lavatory with the onboard wheelchair but can't imagine being able to fit in most circumstances.

Cumming said Livesey is not medically required to use a catheter and shouldn't be required to do so just to get on an airplane.

"Someone should not be forced to get a catheter to go on holiday," Cumming said. "The Air Carrier Access Act was not based on the idea that people would use catheters or dehydrate themselves or wear diapers (to get through the flight)," Cumming said. "That is not treating people equally."

Unlike disabled-accessible bathrooms in buildings, which must have a diameter of at least 60 inches, airplane lavatories do not have to meet specific dimension requirements.

Rather, the "lavatory shall permit a qualified individual with a disability to enter, manoeuvre within as necessary to use all lavatory facilities and leave, by means of the aircraft's on-board wheelchair," according to the act. They must also be equipped with grab bars and a call button.

"The language at the very beginning falls apart because the wheelchair cannot be operated by the person with the disability, only pushed by someone else," Cumming said.

Airline staff members are responsible for transporting a disabled passenger to and from the lavatory, but the passenger is on his or her own once inside.

Department of Transportation regulations do not require the accessible lavatory to be large enough to accommodate an attendant to help the person with the disability, Harvey said.

"If we could get into it, (Livesey) would be just facing a toilet she could not get to," Cumming said. "I would have to reach over the chair holding her out with my arms like a forklift. The bathrooms needs the space for an attendant."

More frustrating, Cumming said, airlines slap wheelchair-accessible signs on lavatories because they have grab bars in them, which actually serve only to narrow the space for the people who need help into a bathroom.

The lavatory on the flight to San Antonio had the symbol on the door, so he thought it would be safe to help Livesey in by holding her under her arms and pulling her in backward.

"With my arms wrapped under hers as I eased her in, the narrow entrance crimped her elbows inward until her arm bone cracked just below her shoulder," Cumming wrote in an article for the online news site Airlines Reporter.

The experience hasn't deterred the couple from travelling, but the lavatory layout is always a concern.

"If you are flying domestically, you are going to be in the world of single-aisle airplanes, and there is nothing to accommodate the fully disabled or nonambulatory person," Cumming said.

The Department of Transportation has recently announced its intention to establish a committee to negotiate proposed amendments to disability regulations, Harvey said. The committee will consider three issues, including whether to require an accessible lavatory on single-aisle aircraft over a certain size.

"The department has done so in recognition of the fact that a higher percentage of long-distance flights are now being conducted by single-aisle aircraft," Harvey said.

But what about New Zealand?

On its website Air New Zealand has a section dedicated to passengers who need "special assistance".

"We understand that the carriage of people with disabilities can present unique challenges for both passengers and staff.

"As a result we will make every effort to provide a consistently safe and dignified travel experience."

It goes on to state that staff are trained to assist those with disabilities, and airport and aircraft have "environments that facilitate appropriate levels of access", though it does not mention whether aircraft have disabled toilets.

The airline's Boeing 777, 767 and International Airbus A320 aircraft have onboard wheelchairs, so passenger can be taken to their seats or the toilet. But the chairs are available only for international flights, not domestic flights due to "limitations of space".

LIkewise, Jetstar says it provides assistance to passengers needing wheelchairs. However, on its website it states that those passengers must be able about to travel independently.

Advice for flying as a disabled person, from people with experience:

Call ahead to ask whether the airplane will have accessible lavatories. Cumming said airline employees can tell you "yes" or "no," but can't describe the type of barthroom or tell you how much room it will have.

Book flights on double-aisle planes, if possible, or prepare for longer flights by getting one with several stop-overs. It will make your travel longer but provide more opportunity to get off the plane and use bathrooms at the airport.

Remember that airline staff members will transport you via the aisle chair to the lavatory but will not assist within the lavatory. "Since you must be able to stand and walk, (but if taking) a few steps is difficult, you're better off choosing a seat near a lavatory rather than going through the humiliating hassle of being strapped into an aisle chair," Cumming said.

Always get the travel insurance. Cumming recommends this not just for disabled passengers but for everyone. He and his wife had travel insurance when she broke her arm on the way to San Antonio. It paid for a nurse to accompany them back Washington on the plane to assist with her medical needs.

Take all valuables off your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are stowed in the cargo area and can slide around and break. It's happened twice to Smith, who said he always takes off the electric hand controls (the most expensive part) and removes his seat pad to use on the plane to avoid getting pressure sores.

NORWAY: Stranded Mother Mourns On Dock As Cruise Sails Away With Her Children

A mother dropped to her knees and begged for a cruise ship to stop as it sailed away with her children onboard.

The dramatic incident involving Norwegian Cruise Line ship Norwegian Breakaway as it left the dock in Nassau, Bahamas has been captured in videos posted to YouTube.

In one clip, her husband leaves the ship in a golf cart, trying to find his wife before it departs. In the next clip, the woman can be seen on the dock, crying and waving in a desperate attempt to capture the crew's attention.

Both end up being left behind as the ship sets off on its three-day journey back to home port in New York.

Norwegian Cruise Line said the woman had been late for the ship's boarding time, causing crew to go beyond normal protocol and delay departure by half an hour.

"The onboard team located her husband and children on board but the family was not able to reach her, nor did they know when she would be returning," spokesman Archie Pottinger said.

"When she had still not returned and following consultation with the family, it was decided that the husband would disembark with their travel documents to wait for his wife while the children would stay with their uncle and his family on the ship for the remainder of the voyage."

The company had offered travel and lodging assistance to the couple and made arrangements for them to reunite with the ship upon its return to New York.

The parents had at least two children on the ship, aged around nine and 12.

The children seemed "really upset" that their parents had missed the boat, he said.

JAMAICA: Regional Tourism Market Big Enough To Accommodate Cuba

TOURISM Minister Edmund Bartlett says that the Jamaican Government believes that the northern Caribbean’s tourism market is big enough to include the newest competitor for United States visitors, Cuba.

Bartlett that, with the northern Caribbean attracting some 80 per cent of the total regional market, there is space for Cuba to join her neighbours, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos islands, and Cancun.

“This region has enormous potential for multi-destination tourism, including multiple destinations in a single package,” he said.

Bartlett’s comments came as US President Barack Obama started a three-day visit to Cuba, which is just 90 miles away from Jamaica, but has been an American pariah since the communist revolution that brought the Castro brothers to power in 1959.

The US broke off diplomatic relations after the revolution and imposed a trade embargo. But two years of secret talks between the Cuban government and the current Obama administration led to an announcement in December 2014 that the two countries would restore diplomatic relations. Obama’s visit, accompanied by his family and a delegation of about 1,200 US government and private sector representatives, is seen as the first major step towards renewed co-operation.

However, it has raised some concerns among citizens of other countries in the region, including Jamaica, who feel that US focus on Cuba could affect their economies.

But Bartlett insisted that, despite a 17 per cent jump in tourist visitors to Cuba last year, Jamaica is well positioned to continue its growth as well, and saw no threat to the local industry.

According to Bartlett, Cuba’s tourists are all stopover visitors, unlike Jamaica which benefits from both stopover and cruise visitors.

Reacting to the news yesterday that cruise line, Carnival, and the Marriott hotel chain would also be investing in Cuba, Bartlett said he saw no threat there, either.

“It will expand Cuba’s appeal, but the US is a large market; there are nearly 100 million American travellers annually. Our share is only three per cent, but even if Cuba gets five per cent of that market we would still have another 92 million visitors to aim at,” he stated.

“Our job is not to moan, but to go out there and ensure that we remain the destination of choice. Cuba will be moving up but in the long run, the benefits will extend to the entire region,” he said.

Bartlett also pointed out that Cuba has a slightly different demographic from Jamaica, in terms of visitors, although this is likely to expand with major investments.

“We have the highest repeat business in the Caribbean, because 42 per cent of our visitors are repeats and that is because we are an iconic destination. Our main attraction is our people. Our people are the most hospitable, and we have a very high quality of service. So we have a lot to build on, while countries like Cuba try to catch up with us,” he added.

He said that the new Jamaica Labour Party Administration will seek to improve how the country does its tourism business, in terms of attracting additional investments, “because investment goes where it is invited and stays where it is appreciated”.

NASSAU: Latest Cruise Ship Sails Into Nassau

THE port of Nassau yesterday welcomed the world’s newest mega ship, the Norwegian Escape, as a part of the luxury cruise liner’s maiden voyage, prompting tourism officials to credit the country as the best warm weather destination in the world.

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, flanked by Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, led a Bahamian delegation onboard the 20-deck vessel to exchange plaques to commemorate the ship’s inaugural voyage.

Mr Wilchcombe cheered the ship’s arrival as the “eventual next step” in a flourishing relationship between the Bahamas and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NLC).

The luxury line has sailed to the Bahamas for nearly half a century. The Escape now joins the line’s Breakaway and Getaway ships in Eastern Caribbean tours.

Mr Wilchcombe said the inclusion of the ship in the line’s Caribbean market and specifically its stop in the Bahamas certainly signals economic growth for the nation and opportunity for Bahamians.

“Over the years (ships) have come, (they) have brought large numbers to our shores; in fact, (all) that will come over the course of the week, starting today will have brought some 65,000 visitors to the Bahamas this week,” said Mr Wilchcombe.

“We have over the many years invested in causing the Bahamas to be among the leaders in the entire Caribbean, if not in the entire world. We do so by working on what we must, infrastructure is required for the cruise lines; we must ensure that we deliver good service, quality service and, of course, every single day we hope to ensure that we have the peace and hospitality that must prevail in our nation.”

Nonetheless, Mr Wilchcombe said, despite recent triumphs celebrated by the country in the tourism sector, more needs to be done to ensure that the Bahamas remains the best in the region.

Mr Wilchcombe hinted that his ministry was in the process of developing a new, all-encompassing tourism model that would merge more aspects of Bahamian history and culture in an “easy to deliver concept”.

When asked what that meant for the tourist, the West End and Bimini MP said: “They will see us, who we really are – they will hear our story. We will tell the story of our colonial past, tell the story about slavery. We will also tell the story of the new Bahamas – and the story of the old Bahamas.”

He told reporters that this new plan, which is still in its infancy, would feature conceptual changes to downtown Nassau and communities near the area.

The 4,200-passenger Escape represents the largest in NLC’s current 14-ship fleet and the first in its “Breakaway Plus” class.

The ship arrived in Miami on Sunday, hosted a “christening ceremony” on Monday and departed for a three-day cruise to Nassau shortly after.

The Escape will begin regular cruise operation on November 14.

The 164,600 gross ton ship will run weekly cycles from the Port of Miami and destination stops in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau.

CARIBBEAN: CTO To Honour Two Airlines Serving The Caribbean

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will honour Air Canada and Caribbean Airlines for their decades of service to the Caribbean.

The CTO will present awards to the two airlines during Caribbean Week Canada for longstanding service from that market. Both airlines have demonstrated commitment and dedication to the growth and development of Caribbean tourism by providing up to six decades of service, according to the CTO’s director of USA Inc Sylma Brown.

“Caribbean Airlines has demonstrated continued dedication to the growth and development of Caribbean tourism by providing more than five decades of intra-regional and international service, while Air Canada has shown its commitment to the region’s tourism sector by providing over six decades of outstanding uninterrupted service to the Caribbean,” said Ms. Brown, head of the CTO’s New York office which is charged with organizing Caribbean Week Canada.

The decision to recognize the two carriers was made following discussions with CTO member countries’ national tourist office representatives in Canada who felt strongly that both airline partners should be among the entities recognized during Caribbean Week for their strong partnership , Ms. Brown revealed.

The awards will be presented at the Caribbean Tourism Awards Luncheon on Tuesday 17 November at Rosewater in Toronto.

Caribbean Week Canada is supported by Air Canada Vacations, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Caribbean Airlines, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Hibiscus International, Jamaica, Kalinago Beach Resort (Grenada), Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, The Atrebor Group, Transat Tours Canada, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos.

NASSAU: $250 Million Hotel Project Breaks Ground In Nassau

A new $250 million dollar development has broken ground in Nassau.

Pointe, as it is known, is slated to include 200 guest rooms, world-class shopping, fine dining options, and a 1,000-car garage.

China’s state-owned China Construction America will be the primary investor, developer and contractor on the project.

The company has been in the news of late as the contractor on the now-troubled Baha Mar project.


“The Pointe represents another substantial milestone for us in that, different from our other project in the Bahamas, China Construction America will be the sole investor, developer and contractor for The Pointe Project,” Pointe President Daniel Liu.

Its parent company, the state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corporation, purchased the project lot and the adjacent British Colonial Hilton hotel in 2014.

“I would like to thank the Developer, China State Construction and Engineering Corporation, and Mr. Ning Yuan, its chairman, for the investment of $250 million in this harbour-front project, the 250 construction jobs being undertaken by Bahamians and the future employment prospects for 500 Bahamians in the operation and management of the hotel and residential units,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie. “This does not include the number of Bahamians who I expect will be employed by retail owners when the facility is fully subscribed and stores are operational.”

Pointe has announced a planned completion date of 2017.

NASSAU: New $40 Million Luxury Residences Project in Nassau

A new $40 million luxury residences project has broken ground in Nassau.

The ONE Cable Beach project is the brainchild of developer ARISTO Development.

The 69-unit project has a 20-24 month timeframe for completion once construction begins, according to the developers.

“We are grateful for the efforts and dedication of all who supported this project and we look forward to being a part of the Bahamian works and urban community development for years to come,” said Jason Kinsale, principal at ARISTO Development.

ONE Cable Beach is Kinsale’s latest project, with a portfolio including the Hampton Ridge and Balmoral residence projects

“We are dedicated to enhancing the lives of Bahamian people through the production and success of our construction projects,” he said.