PLAN TO HAVE DOMESTIC AIRLINES ADDED TO WEBSITES

THE Ministry of Tourism is embarking on a campaign to transform the way international visitors make their Bahamas travel reservations, hoping the introduction of domestic airlines into global distribution systems such as Expedia and Travelocity will boost bookings beyond Nassau and Grand Bahama.

David Johnson, Director General of Tourism, said a major obstacle to out island tourism bookings is the fact that domestic Bahamian airlines are "invisible" to would-be travellers searching for flights on the Internet abroad.

He said: "We are working to fix things such that those flights are automated and accessible to customers outside The Bahamas. Bahamians know how to get the flights, and we list the airlines on our website, but someone in the US can't get to them through say, the Travelocity booking engine. That can be solved.

"I've got the green light from the minister to take this project on to see how we can give them opportunity to offer their inventory in the global distribution system. It's what all modern airlines thrive on as a must."

Mr Johnson said that by doing this, it would remove any "anxiety" which international travellers may suffer by not being able to make their out island travel bookings ahead of time using the same familiar systems.

Mr Johnson said he has the goal of bringing the initiative to fruition by Easter.

Meanwhile, plans to get more Bahamians into the out islands are also being worked on.

A "companion flies free" programme similar to that offered to international visitors coming to Nassau and Paradise Island was launched for domestic travellers this year, but did not see the level of uptake the Ministry of Tourism had hoped for.

"Getting Bahamians to travel to the out islands instead of to Florida was the main thrust there. We got some business but it wasn't strong. Bahamians were slow to react. I think most thought it was a gimmick - they thought deal was too good to be true."

Another aspect was that "while some considered and understood it, Bahamians found some of the hotel prices from participating hotels far too high, so we are re-shaping that to find ways to correct what our research told us. I think by next summer we will really work out bugs ad have a stronger domestic programme", said the Director General.

Mr Johnson's comments come on the heels of his announcement last week that the Ministry of Tourism is extending its "free companion airfare" programme that was offered to US visitors, which saw the government and hotel operators share the cost of providing a free flights to Nassau or Paradise Island if they committed to a minimum of four nights stay.

Quantifying some of the benefits of the promotion, Mr Johnson revealed that a $7million investment had brought about $60million in "direct returns" for hotels, as he noted that the programme will be extended from September 2010 to June 2011.

At the same time, Mr Johnson revealed to Tribune Business that the Ministry of Tourism hopes by next year to allow the out islands garner more of the benefits of the promotion, by incorporating a new "Fly Free from Nassau" component that will allow visitors to get a free flight from Nassau to an out island if they commit to a minimum number of paid nights there.

Sammy Thurston, owner of the boutique Sammy T's Beach Resort in Cat Island, said both proposed initiatives - the "fly free from Nassau" offer for US visitors and the efforts to ease the process of making out island flight reservations for international travelers - are "will only do good" for the family islands and resorts like his.

"A lot of guests think it's a bit complicated getting to the islands. If we can alleviate that I think it can only help us," he told Tribune Business.

At present, bookings at Sammy T's, which is located on a stretch of pink sand beach in Bennett's Harbour, are 25 per cent down further than they were last year.

"Last year was slow, this year is even slower. November is very empty, and December does not pick up until the end of the month, so I think we're really bottoming out now.

"I hope we will see the return by mid season but this season starting out slow, so any assistance we can get we would appreciate," said the resort owner.

Randy Butler, CEO of Sky Bahamas, said his company was made aware of plans by the Ministry of Tourism to try to incorporate their flight inventory into the Global Distribution System several months ago.

He said Sky Bahamas is "happy to partner with the Ministry of Tourism on anything that will grow our revenue", but has "some questions about the proposal that remain unanswered."

Mr Butler added that he would like to see closer collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation on issues relating to the sector.

WestJet adds 11 new U.S. and international destinations

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vander-pool-Wallace was in Grand Bahama yesterday for the official announcement of Canadian airline West Jet's new flight service to the island.

During a press conference at the Isle of Capri Casino, the Minister explained that the twice-weekly flights from Toronto to Grand Bahama will begin on November 2.

It is hoped that the flights will mean that the island can begin to see an influx of Canadian visitors, he said, similar to what it was like decades ago.

"Many people may not remember, I think it was something of the order of 36 years ago, Grand Bahama island was number one for Canadian visitors in this part of the world," he said, adding that the island is the closest destination to the eastern seaboard of Canada.

"We forget that we were very much alone in the tourism business at that time ... The rate of growth that has happened under our noses for people who are competing with us, was such that we found ourselves receding in the background."

Vanderpool-Wallace said the island's proximity to the biggest market in the world has to be reflected in the price to get to the destination.

None of this can work, he added, unless there are partnerships formed with key stakeholders, such as that formed with West Jet.

He revealed that within hours after the flights were posted online, some 450 round trip tickets had already been sold.

Gregg Saretsky, vice president West Jet said it was a very exciting time for the company as it announces the expansion of its service.

"This aircraft will make two weekly missions from Toronto to Freeport and will offer the market 14,000 seats this season," he explained, adding that the company has forecast that it will bring 12,000 customers to Grand Bahama this winter.

Saretsky said while he was travelling around the island, he noticed that there are a large number of Canadians who own second homes in Grand Bahama.

"One of the biggest inhibitors in their travel to this great part of the world has been the very high airfares associated with getting here. Part of the reason the Minister talked about our initial success without advertising is the very attractive airfares that West Jet offers," he said.

"We are a low cost carrier... and when I look at the size of the Canadian market to Grand Bahama island and where it was a decade ago and where it is today we have a lot of work to bring it back but I'm confident that with the product that you offer and our new direct air service that our twice weekly service should be four times weekly by this time next year and that's the goal."

The airline is expected to step up its promotional activities in Canada for its new destinations in September.

The following is a list of WestJet's new routes for the winter of
2009-2010:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Route Start Date Frequency Days Arr/Dep
Times
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal - Las Vegas December 17, five times Monday, Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly Tuesday, 09:45/12:23
starting at $189 Thursday, Return
Friday, 13:15/21:08
Sunday
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa - Montego Bay November 6, once Friday Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly 09:15/13:47
starting at $199 Return
14:45/18:58
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa - Punta Cana November 7, once Saturday Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly 07:00/12:23
starting at $199 Return
13:10/16:52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Atlantic October 22, daily Outbound
City 2009 19:00/20:29
Introductory fares Return
starting at $79 21:15/22:52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Cayo Coco November 4, twice Wednesday, Outbound
(operated by WestJet 2009 weekly Saturday 10:05/13:45
on behalf of WestJet Return
Vacations; visit 14:45/18:18
westjetvacations.com
for packages starting
at $799 per person)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Cozumel December 10, twice Thursday, Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly Sunday 10:00/13:17
starting at $179 Return
14:15/19:02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Freeport November 2, twice Monday, Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly Friday 10:30/13:38
starting at $155 Return
14:45/17:45
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Holguin November 2, twice Monday, Outbound
(operated by WestJet 2009 weekly Friday 11:45/15:35
on behalf of WestJet Return
Vacations; visit 16:35/20:24
westjetvacations.com
for packages starting
at $989 per person)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Miami October 21, daily Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 11:00/14:12
starting at $149 Return
15:00/17:51
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - November 4, twice Wednesday, Outbound
Providenciales, Turks 2009 weekly Saturday 10:00/13:50
and Caicos Return
Introductory fares 14:45/18:45
starting at $179
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - St. Martin November 1, three Tuesday, Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 times Thursday, 10:15/15:45
starting at $225 weekly Sunday Return
16:35/20:45
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Varadero November 1, three Tuesday, Outbound
(operated by WestJet 2009 times Thursday, 10:00/13:30
on behalf of WestJet weekly Sunday Return
Vacations; visit 14:30/17:54
westjetvacations.com
for packages starting
at $879 per person)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton - Punta Cana November 1, once Sunday Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly 08:00/13:04
starting at $189 Return
14:00/17:32
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thunder Bay - Punta November 7, once Saturday Outbound
Cana 2009 weekly 12:45/18:46
Introductory fares Return
starting at $235 19:35/00:16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton - Yellowknife Year-round daily Outbound
Introductory fares service 10:15/12:05
starting at $99 effective Return
November 1, 13:00/14:38
2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calgary - San Diego Year-round three Monday, Outbound
Introductory fares service times Wednesday, 09:40/11:54
starting at $179 effective weekly Friday Return
November 2, 12:40/17:00
2009
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calgary - Ixtapa/ November 3, twice Tuesday, Outbound
Zihuatanejo 2009 weekly Saturday 09:00/15:15
Introductory fares Return
starting at $229 16:05/20:40
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Los January 15, four Monday, Outbound
Angeles 2010 times Wednesday, 09:50/12:31
Introductory fares weekly Friday, Return
starting at $159 Saturday 13:15/16:06
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Lihue/ December 16, twice Wednesday, Outbound
Kauai 2009 weekly Saturday 15:15/19:56
Introductory fares Return
starting at $349 23:00/06:47
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Phoenix January 17, three Tuesday, Outbound
Introductory fares 2010 times Thursday, 09:50/13:49
starting at $155 weekly Sunday Return
14:35/16:52
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Kamloops November 1, daily Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 12:30/13:19
starting at $69 Return
10:45/11:41
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria - Honolulu November 7, once Saturday Outbound
Introductory fares 2009 weekly 08:00/12:20
starting at $259 Return
13:50/21:30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that fares quoted do not include applicable fees,
taxes and surcharges


WestJet's winter schedule also includes the following new routes announced
June 4, 2009:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Route Start Date Frequency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moncton - Cancun January 9, 2010 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $225
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal - Cancun December 16, 2009 twice weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $179
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Cancun December 7, 2009 five times weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $179
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton - Cancun November 7, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $169
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg - Cancun December 7, 2009 twice weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $225
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regina - Cancun December 6, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $249
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regina - Puerto Vallarta December 8, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regina - Mazatlan December 7, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regina - Cabo San Lucas December 9, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saskatoon - Cancun December 12, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $249
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saskatoon - Puerto December 11, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saskatoon - Mazatlan December 10, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelowna - Cancun December 12, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $259
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelowna - Puerto November 1, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kelowna - Cabo San Lucas November 6, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prince George - Puerto November 7, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $239
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abbotsford - Puerto November 7, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Puerto December 8, 2009 twice weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $209
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria - Cancun December 12, 2009 once weekly
Introductory fares
starting at $269
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Victoria - Puerto November 1, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comox - Puerto November 7, 2009 once weekly
Vallarta
Introductory fares
starting at $229
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note that fares quoted do not include applicable fees,
taxes and surcharges


WestJet will also increase frequencies year-over-year on a number of
popular routes including:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Route Start Date Frequency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Montreal - Fort November 1, 2009 increased once weekly
Lauderdale to 11 times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ottawa - Tampa November 1, 2009 increased once weekly
to three times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto - Bridgetown November 2, 2009 increased once weekly
to five times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg - Orlando November 1, 2009 increased twice weekly
to three times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winnipeg - Phoenix November 2, 2009 increased once weekly
to four times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton - Cancun November 1, 2009 increase once weekly
to three times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton - Los Angeles November 1, 2009 increased four times
weekly to daily
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmonton - Palm Springs November 1, 2009 increased three times
weekly to daily
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calgary - Cancun November 2, 2009 increased once weekly
(Nov. 2-Dec. 6 operated to three times weekly
by WestJet on behalf
of WestJet Vacations)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calgary - Phoenix November 2, 2009 increased three times
weekly to 10 times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calgary - Puerto November 1, 2009 increased once weekly
Vallarta to three times weekly
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Honolulu October 8, 2009 daily service
starts Oct 8/09
11 times weekly
starts Nov 1/09
12 times weekly
starts Dec 16/09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vancouver - Maui October 7, 2009 daily service
starts Oct 7/09
10 times weekly
starts Nov 1/09
12 times weekly
starts Dec 16/09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This schedule represents significant expansion on both the transborder (U.S.) and international fronts," said Chris Avery. "Both are strategic decisions as we continue to aggressively pursue and earn profitable market share in these critical areas. WestJet is well on its way to becoming the market leader in many of the most popular sun destinations in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean."

At this point, the 2009-2010 winter schedule sees WestJet increase its transborder and international capacity by approximately 45 per cent year over year. In line with prudent capacity management, domestic capacity will decrease by approximately five per cent for the same time period. On an overall basis, WestJet's year-over-year capacity increase for November 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010, currently sits at approximately five per cent.

WestJet Vacations offers customized vacation packages to all of WestJet's southern destinations, with prices starting as low as $83 per person per night, including air and hotel. And for a limited time only, guests who book a vacation package with WestJet Vacations before September 30, 2009, for travel between November 2, 2009, and May 15, 2010, will receive a $400 travel credit per room booked. Guests booking between October 1 and October 31, 2009, for travel during the same window, will receive a $200 travel credit per room booked. For more information, visit westjetvacations.com. Flights and vacation packages are available for sale immediately through travel agents or online at westjet.com or westjetvacations.com

"This is an excellent time to travel," said Gregg Saretsky, Vice-President, WestJet Vacations. "We are working very closely with our resort and hotel partners to bring our guests tremendous value, and there is some very competitive pricing in the market right now. On top of that, guests who book early will receive early booking bonuses, which will mean hundreds of dollars in savings on their next WestJet flight."