The Ministry of Tourism has reported that the 520 visitors staying throughout the Family Islands while Joaquin churned its way through Bahamian waters have been accounted for, and the director general of the ministry has sought to assure international tourism partners that the all-clear has been sounded and The Bahamas is open for business.

Tourism Director General Joy Jibrilu also assured that the ministry is receiving the support calls and will respond to them once the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has given direction. She released a statement yesterday noting that the ministry has been gathering information at its Emergency Command Centre.

"We are fully engaged. Although you can see the sun and people are on the beach in Nassau, for us the work continues. This is one of the most important parts of what we do and that is getting the information from our southern islands. We have been in touch with those officers," Jibrilu said.

The ministry reported that Exuma had 197 visitors, Long Island had 10 visitors and San Salvador had two during the storm. Nassau and Paradise Island had over 5,250 visitors and Grand Bahama had over 2,000 visitors. According to the statement, during the storm, the Ministry of Tourism ensured that all visitors were accounted for.

"We know that some guests in Exuma are checking out and it is not as a result of the hurricane; it is because their vacations have come to an end," Jibrilu said. "It is imperative that we send the message out to the world that The Bahamas is open for business. Those who are scheduled to leave later have not changed their flights. They have decided to enjoy The Bahamas another day."

She detailed some of the work the ministry has been doing in the aftermath, including flights with persons from the Royal Bahamas Police Force

"Additionally, we have been inundated with calls offering assistance and I cannot thank the Bahamian people enough for that. It seems like we are not responding to those calls. But let me make it clear, the only reason why we have not responded to those calls is because we are awaiting feedback from these flights as to the state and readiness of airports so that we can in turn mobilize with NEMA on how to get to these various islands. That remains utmost in our minds, getting the relief to the various Family Islands," she said.

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