In February, The Bahamas will host its first rum festival and organizers are looking for thousands to come to the event.
Come next year, Festival Rum Bahamas, a celebration of rum, food and culture, will be placed on the country's cultural calendar.
The festival's organizers believe this unique event will provide an opportunity for Bahamians to showcase their creative side, while bringing a much needed economic boost.
Event chairperson Alexandra Maillis-Lynch estimates between 5,000 and 7,000 will attend the inaugural event.
"We believe that as a country it is time to stop waiting for things to come to us, we have to create our own destiny. So far tourism has been pretty general, going after almost a generic tourist. What we're looking for now is a specific market because they are the ones that are often more loyal. They follow product. The rum festival world is in fact a huge one," she told Guardian Business in an interview yesterday.
"It will create employment, particularly for young adults, through construction and creative ideas how to set up and run a booth, train and learning what it takes to run a successful event/business. As Bahamians, it gives us an opportunity to showcase our creative skills."
"We're hoping for between 5,000 to 7,000. But ideally, we would like 9,000 people. That's comparable to events that are done on the island because we have done our research."
Lynch is also the festival's creator and visionary and said organizers are excited to share the history, food and culture of The Bahamas in this unique way.
"The Bahamas has a lot to offer, more than sun, sand and sea. We wanted to create a festival that showcased aspects of our history that we don't typically celebrate - piracy, rum-running, and how those past events have given birth to our distinct flavors and a culture of appreciation for the art and beauty of rum making," according to Maillis-Lynch.
Festival Rum Bahamas is expected to be an enticing mixture of local, regional and international rum exhibitors.
During the three-day festival, there will be product sampling, master classes on rum, bartending and cocktail competitions, as well as Caribbean music and food.
The festival organizers are promising that the 2014 Festival Rum Bahamas will be regionally competitive and offer a unique cultural experience for Bahamians and visitors.
The blue ribbon event of the festival will be 2014 Mixologist Competition, where the best bartenders in the region will compete to win gold, silver or bronze medals for the best rum cocktail.
The Ministry of Tourism is also onboard, as the festival's marketing partner. Tourism officials believe that Festival Rum Bahamas is an "excellent" fit with the country's tourism product, providing another compelling reason for visitors to come to The Bahamas.

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