A grant of nearly $40,000 from the Centre for Development of Enterprise (CDE) will help the Marina Operators of The Bahamas (MOB) pursue projects aimed at developing the sector.
Stephen Kappeler, the president of the MOB, said the money will be used in a variety of areas.
One of those areas, he said, is reviewing and determining the economic contribution and impact of marinas on The Bahamas.
"We want to use the grant to demonstrate the value marinas represent," he explained.
"Tourists visiting marinas on boats have a very high economic spend, between room at the resort, fuel, restaurants and other activities."This will give us a more formal means of comparison with other areas in the tourism industry."
Frank Comito, the executive vice president of the Bahamas Hotel Association, pointed out that some information exists, but it's about "putting it together" so there are reliable documents to focus on.
He also said the grant from the CDE will be matched in kind by the various partners, including the MOB and other groups.
Another area for research, Kappeler added, would be using the grant to "protect our greatest assets" - the ocean and beaches.
"We would like to produce and be the first Caribbean island nation to make a standard for marinas to keep our waters and beaches clean," he said.
"It would establish standards we must all keep - whether big or small."
The rest of the nearly $40,000, Comito said, would go towards marketing and strategic vision.
 

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