Operating costs, increased direct airlift and the strengthening of the construction sector are areas that need to be addressed so Abaco can have a booming economy, according to a local resort owner.
Emanuel "Manny" Alexiou, owner of the Abaco Beach Resort, shared with Guardian Business that costs associated with operating businesses in the Family Islands, especially in Abaco, have always been a huge issue for them.
"Costs in all of the Out Islands is always a huge issue - electricity and labor being the biggest. Energy is a huge cost and I am not sure how that can be minimized other than being vigilant about energy consumption, and the type of light bulbs and the air conditioning that's being used," Alexiou explained.
"We need to move more towards solar and wind-based energy sources and being able to back feed into some type of grid. I think the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) seems to be moving in that direction, but it hasn't happened yet. It needs to happen quicker."
He confirmed there is a fair amount of airlift coming in and out of the island, but admits cost has been a factor in attracting more direct flights into Abaco.
"I think there is a fair amount of airlift. The problem is cost, and I think the cost aspect of it has been improved. Now, the next step is to generate more direct airlift into places like Atlanta, New York and even as far out as Canada. This would help us with our season," Alexiou noted.
The Abaco resort's chief pointed out that the island has heavily relied on a short boating season, which occurs in May and June and focuses on the Florida, Georgia and Carolinas markets.
"If we are going to succeed here, restaurants, eco-businesses and things like that, they need an eight-month season so they can finance their operations. The Bahamas and the rest of the Caribbean enjoy good winters. It's something that we need to capitalize on by getting direct flights into destinations like Canada, New York and Atlanta. Tapping into those popular markets would be extremely helpful in filling the winter months up a little bit better," he said.
Alexiou maintains that the tourism and construction industries go hand in hand. Therefore, a focus needs to be placed on improving the construction industry.
"I think it's going through the same cycle as Nassau. All development has stopped, few things are happening and that's being reflected here as well. Tourism and construction go together and rise at the same time," he added.
"We have been working with the Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders here. We have even begun the concept of trying to form an Abaco community tourism board to be more specific to Abaco as a whole."
Alexiou continued: "Having good communications and hospitals are always helpful because people are able to leave their businesses and if they have important things to do, they can still stay in touch. The danger of course is that we can never get away electronically and people don't have down time to relax, but they can get out on a boat and disappear for the day, come back and still catch up on their emails and everything else, so I think in many ways, it's helpful.
"These amenities would encourage second-home owners on the island to stay in Abaco longer on a year-round basis and that's a different kind of tourism. That tourist would generate his or her income from elsewhere, but live here for approximately six to eight months, spending money. That's a great type of permanent tourist."
He believes that Abaco is a destination that should be able to stand on its own with the same benefits as Nassau or Grand Bahama.

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