The government along with investor Jamie Dingman is currently in negotiations with MTV to get the TV channel to come to Nassau next Spring Break, raising the country's profile as a destination for students.

While Guardian Business understands that "nothing is definite" yet, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told this newspaper that he expects the deal to pan out and ensure "thousands of students will come to The Bahamas".

The arrangement would involve MTV promoting The Bahamas, along with concerts and other events that will be taking place during the Spring Break season, on its international music TV channels beginning in October.

Jamie Dingman, son of billionaire investor and Bahamas resident Michael Dingman, is said to be "closely involved" with the talks.

"(Dingman) has the new project they are developing here on Bay Street and they are working to help us get the business back to The Bahamas," said Wilchcombe.

It was recently revealed that Jamie Dingman is spearheading the development of several units in the Elizabeth on Bay complex owned by Downtown Nassau Partnership Co-Chairman Charles Klonaris.

Renting 25 percent of the plaza's units, Dingman is understood to be developing a variety of restaurant/bar experiences. The concept is to create a critical mass of attractions on Bay Street.

"(Dingman's) hoping to cause that property on Bay Street to become like an entertainment center. If we don't have the product, people will come and be bored, and we want to cause them to come and be entertained.

"Part of the public private partnerships that we are emphasizing involves developing activities and events, so if we can get people to help us with the marketing, get live TV, get MTV to talk about Bahamas, Bahamas, Bahamas (that will help)," said Wilchcombe.

Dingman declined to comment on his involvement in the MTV talks or his plans for the Elizabeth on Bay plaza yesterday, suggesting that he is placing a lot of focus on developing the experience at Traveller's Rest, the western New Providence restaurant that he and a group of investors redeveloped and reopened after it closed in October 2012.

"We have invested tremendous time, energy and resources into creating a traditional Bahamian experience at a beloved Bahamian landmark and while there may be other opportunities ahead, our immediate focus is on building the best experience possible for guests at Traveller's Rest.

"We are very excited about future possibilities but for the moment we are zeroing in on making the food, service and ambience at Traveller's so fine and so much fun that it will be the first stop visitors want to make and a place Bahamians love all over again," said Dingman in a statement to Guardian Business.

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