Bahamas hotels, yacht and marina operators from throughout the islands were in full attendance at the recent 2017 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), held November 1-5, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale. The Bahamian operators were there to ensure that the boating enthusiasts knew that the marinas in The Bahamas were not impacted by the recent storms that devastated parts of the Caribbean, and that they are in fact, open for business and ready to book.
Some 1,200 boats in-water, were featured at the world’s largest in-water boat show, which bought together 105,000 international buyers and sellers from 50 countries. FLIBS’ 58th event showcased 1,000 exhibitors who displayed their marine products and accessories, valued in excess of $4 billion dollars over 3 million square feet in seven locations in Fort Lauderdale: Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Broward County Convention Center, The Sails Marina, Hall of Fame Marina, Fort Lauderdale Hilton Marina, Pier 66 Marina and Las Olas Municipal Marina.
Boating industry partners for The Islands of The Bahamas were fully present to showcase, connect and secure business for their respective establishments. Among them were the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA), leading hotel and marina properties, the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM).
Throughout the five-day event, officials from the MOTA and ABM conducted seminars to avid boaters on the endless possibilities of cruising and chartering in The Bahamas, new marina developments and expansion, new programs, boating specials and a registration drive for upcoming (2018) boating flings.
‘We in The Bahamas are fortunate to have been spared the wrath from the recent hurricanes, which damaged some of our Caribbean neighbors in the south. We are thankful that our marinas and hotels did not receive any damages and are opened for business,” said Richard Treco, Sr. Manager of Vertical Markets at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation.
“The crystal clear waters of The Bahamas which spans more than 100,000 square feet of ocean are located just 55 nautical miles off the coast of Florida and are ideal for pleasure boating, charters, beer boat charters and super yachts, and we have made it increasingly easier for boaters to do so,” he said.
“Through our alliance with the ABM, we now have a one-stop agency, that can do everything the avid boater needs or wants for chartering our waters; from securing a captain, to assisting with customs and immigration clearance and boat registration, they can do it all with one call,” he said.
Joe Dargavage, Vice President of ABM and General Manager of Romora Bay Resort & Marina said, “no other country offers the multiple vacation experiences and boating specials like The Bahamas. Boaters can clear customs once, upon arrival at their first port of entry, and then use that one permit, for up to three crewmembers to cruise the rest of The Bahamas’ pristine islands, for up to one year.”
“For many of our islands, boating sustains us. It provides a significant percentage of our total revenue so it was essential for us, and the boating operators of The Bahamas to attend this (FLIBS) event to further heighten the awareness that The Bahamas is indeed open for business”.
The majority of the marinas in The Bahamas provides full dockage services and can accommodate boats on average of 100 to 250 feet, and in some cases super yachts up to 400 feet. Currently, all member marinas of The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board are providing a $300 fuel credit for stays in The Bahamas.
Other industry partners that participated in FLIBS included Romora Bay Resort & Marina, Grand Bahama Yacht Club, Grand Lucayan, Treasure Cay Hotel, Bluff House Beach Resort & Marina, Abaco Beach Resort, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Leeward Yacht Club, Resort World Bimini, Bay Street Marina, Flying Fish Marina, Great Harbour Cay Marina, Port Lucaya Marina, Cape Eleuthera, Coastline Adventures, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and The Bahamas Maritime Authority.
For additional information and specials visit: www.bahamas.com
About The Islands Of The Bahamas The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exuma Islands, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best golf, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
