Tribune Freeport Reporter
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - Tourist arrivals on Grand Bahama are expected to get a much-needed boost this quarter with the introduction of new air services from Canada and the United States.
David Johnson, senior deputy director-general of Tourism, told The Tribune that new services from Canada should begin as early as next week.
He also reported that new services from New York are expected to start by December.
Mr Johnson said the Ministry of Tourism and the Grand Bahama Airport Company have made much progress in the last 12 months in terms of lowering turnaround costs for airlines flying to Grand Bahama International Airport.
High airport fees and taxes have been a major deterrent in recent years for many airlines wishing to fly to Grand Bahama.
In an effort to attract more airlines to the island, Ministry of Tourism officials have been working with airport officials to lower the fees.
Mr Johnson said the Ministry of Tourism is pleased with the progress that has been made so far.
"We stepped up our marketing and as a result we have been able to attract new services, and we will see services coming from Canada as early as next week, from New York by December, and additional air services from Florida.
"We are not where we want to be, but we made a big dent in the right direction of bringing some relief to the airlines and passengers. We are committed to getting our cost lower, but of course more volume will help get there as well," said Mr Johnson.
The airline West Jet will begin services from Canada to Grand Bahama on November 2.
The low-cost carrier will provide two weekly non-stop flights from Toronto on a 737 aircraft. This is expected to bring 12,000 visitors to the island this winter.
Grand Bahama was the number one destination for Canadian visitors 35 years ago, and tourism officials are trying to win back that market. They feel the island's close proximity to the eastern seaboard of Canada was one of the main reasons behind the earlier popularity.
Tourism Minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace believes that Grand Bahama's proximity to the biggest market in the world should be reflected in how much it costs to get to Freeport.
"We cannot sit here and believe it is fine every single day that it is more expensive to come to Grand Bahama than to our competing destination," said Mr Vanderpool-Wallace in July.
The minister said it is important that all partners in Grand Bahama work together with the Ministry of Tourism to exploit the island's proximity advantage.
