Stock images ©2010 Lyndah Wells
By: Gay Nagle Myers
There's reason for optimism in the Bahamas right now. For starters, overall visitor arrivals were up 10% in the first quarter of 2010 over the same period in 2009.
"There's a rebound, we are improving and we can take a deep breath again," said Vernice Walkine, director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
"We are seeing pent-up demand translate into real-time travel, we have some great deals on the table and we have airlift that matches customer demand," Walkine said.
American Eagle, BahamasAir, Continental Express and Delta recently added flights from the U.S. mainland to Nassau, Freeport and the Out Islands, according to Walkine.
Officials appear to have gotten a handle on crime against tourists in Nassau, following armed robberies of several cruise passengers last fall.
Stock images ©2010 Lyndah Wells
"We are pleased with the measures enacted by the commissioner of police in Nassau," Walkine said. "There is a uniformed and visible police presence in downtown Nassau, at the cruise port, at beaches and attractions. We have policemen patrolling on bikes and on sand buggies and have had no recent reports of incidents or crimes against tourists."
Phase One of the expansion of the Lynden Pindling Airport in Nassau is "ahead of schedule and under budget," according to Walkine.
A new terminal for U.S. arrivals and departures will open in summer 2011, but for now the existing terminal has been "freshened up" with new retail shops and food outlets, Walkine said.
When the new U.S. terminal opens, the current facility will become the terminal for all other international arrivals and departures.
Nassau's famous Straw Market, which was destroyed by fire in 2001, will reopen next year as will parts of the revitalized downtown Nassau, including newly paved walkways and boardwalks.
Stock images ©2010 Lyndah Wells
Bahamas' tourism officials will continue an "aggressive" program of fam trips to the destination, working in conjunction with hotels in Nassau, Freeport and the Out Islands.
"These trips with our agent partners are critical to our visibility as a destination, especially in the Out Islands, which still are not as well known as Nassau and Freeport," Walkine said.
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