This week, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism,Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) continued its successful series of Global Sales andMarketing Missions in Canada to reengage tourism partners and boost visitor arrivals from the area.

A quintessentially Bahamian kickoff at Calgary’s Fairmont Palliser Hotel brought asampling of Bahamian culture and cuisine to Western Canada on 31 Oct. Following thesuccess of that event, the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM)and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation led a delegation of senior tourismofficials to participate in a trio of November events. These included meetings with keystakeholders from across the tourism industry in a media event on 1 Nov. at the ParkHyatt Toronto and a trade event on 2 Nov. at Universal EventSpace in Vaughan. Thelast event was held in Montreal, Quebec on 3 Nov. at the Four Seasons Hotel.  

DPM Cooper, along with BMOTIA executives, destination representatives and hotelpartners, hosted more than 500 guests in total at the evening events, with key industryleaders, sales and trade representatives, stakeholders and media in attendance. Guestswere transported to The Bahamas via a full island-inspired meal, as well as Bahamian-themed cocktails, music and entertainment. An electrifying Junkanoo performanceended the night with a bang.

A live Q+A panel highlighted The Bahamas’ steadily growing tourism numbers, plans forfuture growth and innovation, the beauty and appeal of its 16 islands and the manyreasons why The Bahamas is a sought-after destination.

“There is infinite potential in Canada – we consider the country an extremely importantmarket,” said DPM Cooper.

“With new direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Grand Bahama Island coming thisDecember, and frequent flights from Toronto and Montreal to Nassau, visiting ourbeautiful islands is easier than ever. We are so pleased to also add in a weekly directnonstop flight from Calgary to Nassau, as well as a weekly direct flight from Toronto toExuma. Weekly service from Montreal to San Salvador will also be offered this winter(charter with Club Med). Canadians should keep island-hopping in The Bahamas top ofmind for their next vacation.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Director General, Dr. R. Kenneth Romer, enthusiastically touted thenew direct service to Grand Bahama as another clear indication of the island’s reboundand that Grand Bahama is open for business. 
Romer said: “I am elated to see up-close and personal all the possibilities available forGrand Bahama from Canada and look forward to how tourism at large will benefit fromthe invaluable connections and opportunities advanced from these global missions. Iinvite all of you to come to Grand Bahama and experience our diverse product offerings.Indeed, Grand Bahama is on a direct trajectory to being GRAND again.”

The series of Global Sales and Marketing Missions kicked off in September, beginningin the U.S. The BMOTIA will also be heading to Atlanta, Georgia, Houston, Texas, andLos Angeles, California in the future.

Once the Missions to the major travel hubs across the U.S. and Canada have beenwrapped up, the BMOTIA delegation will visit Latin America and Europe to bring a tasteof The Bahamas directly to key international markets across the globe to inspire travelto the destination.