Visionary leader appointed tourism minister

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the new Minister of Tourism and Aviation, has a stellar track record for leadership in the Caribbean. As Prime Minister Herbert Ingraham commented when he announced Vanderpool-Wallace’s new appointment, “Vincent assumes responsibility for our number one industry. He is not only well prepared for the challenges ahead, but is so recognized throughout the industry.”

Leadership posts in public and private sectors

The Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, the new Minister of Tourism and Aviation

Vanderpool-Wallace has held many important posts, including 12 years in leadership positions at the Ministry of Tourism, where he was the youngest Director-General of Tourism ever appointed. He has also served as Senior Vice President of Resorts International Bahamas, Director of both the Central Bank of The Bahamas and the Bank of The Bahamas, and Chairman of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas, where he participated in the privatization of eight government-owned hotels.

The minister is also the former co-CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), which he helped create, and former head of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), where he launched the first marketing and business development unit jointly owned by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the CTO. Vanderpool-Wallace is “one of the strongest, most visionary leaders in the region,” according to CTO chairman Allen Chastanet.

The new minister is well known for his advocacy of a unified Caribbean region, and he has been tireless in helping to increase global awareness of the region’s many attractions. He is also a strong promoter of cooperative efforts between the public and private sectors.

Vanderpool-Wallace has distinguished himself for his forward-thinking policies, international perspectives, and focus on benefiting local populations. Describing the responsibilities of government officials, he says, “We must do that which is in the best interests of the population.”

Award-winning accomplishments

Born in Nassau, Vanderpool-Wallace graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 1975 and later earned an MBA degree from the University of Miami. He has won a number of awards, including the Albert E Koehl Award for Lifetime Achievement in Advertising by Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International and the Atlas Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Association of Travel Marketing Executives International.

In 2002, he was recognized by Fast Company magazine as one of the “Fast 50” global champions of innovation from among 1,650 entries, and at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, he was recognized as one of 50 people who have contributed the most to Caribbean tourism in the past 50 years.

At a ceremony marking his recent appointment as minister of The Bahamas’ most important economic sector, Vanderpool-Wallace said that he would soon be meeting with the country’s other tourism leaders to discuss goals and strategies for the tourism industry.

Dollar

“We are the car-rental company travelers can trust.”

Dollar/Thrifty Rent-A-Car, the local leader in the car-rental sector, offers the biggest fleet in the Bahamas, with 180 vehicles on hand in Nassau and 100 in Freeport. It is the car rental of choice for travelers from NY or elsewhere. The company recently opened two new offices, one on Wulff Road in the heart of Nassau and the other at the cruise port in Freeport. It also has offices in Freeport’s top hotels, the Xanadu, the Royal Palm and the Islander.

Dollar/Thrifty offers short-term and long-term rentals and is well known for its high-quality service and attractive prices. “We are the car-rental company travelers can trust here in the Bahamas to always give them friendly service, a quality product and no hidden costs,” explain Mr. Donato and Charles Bodie Jr., owner and director. Both men have a wealth of experiences in the car rental and tourism area, including operations of some of Freeport’s major hotels, Xanadu, Islander Hotel and the Royal Palm Hotels, who all boost some of the finest suites on the island of Freeport.

The company’s fleet features various models of Volkswagen cars as well as Chery, a Chinese car with a Mitsubishi engine. Bodie and Donato say that in spite of the economic slump in the United States and new passport regulations for American travelers, his business has been brisk, and he expects even more customers when Nassau International Airport completes its current USD 400 million expansion.

Donato also operates the local Volkswagen dealership. “Some New Yorkers come here for entire seasons and we can provide them with a new car to buy or a used car to rent,” Bodie points out. Donato adds, “We know New Yorkers shop around, so we keep our prices competitive.”

Dollar/Thrifty plans to further expand its fleet and services and to offer scooter rentals to help reduce tourism’s impact on the environment as well as provide a very economical option for its customers. “Our customers can count on 100 percent satisfaction and the best the dollar can buy,” Bodie concludes.

Three key projects creating more reasons to visit The Bahamas

Mayaguana luxury resort
One of the most beautiful islands in The Bahamas is also the least developed and most isolated: Mayaguana. A paradise for lovers of off-the-beaten-track holidays, Mayaguana has pristine beaches, exceptional diving and sports fishing, and soon it will have much more.

The billion-dollar-plus Mayaguana project by Boston-based I-Group and the Mayaguana Development Company includes an upscale, ecologically sensitive boutique resort as well as residential, social and educational developments, nature and marine parks, new roads, and new airport facilities.

Albany: exclusive golf resort
Another new high-profile project is Albany Golf and Beach Club, a private golf resort created by golfing greats Tiger Woods and Ernie Els in partnership with Joe Lewis and the Tavistock Group. Albany is located on more than 560 oceanfront acres on the western end of New Providence Island just minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport (formerly Nassau International Airport).
The exclusive resort, with only 350 residences, will feature an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Ernie Els; an exotic family swimming complex; a marina for boats and mega-yachts; a beach club overlooking the Caribbean; an opulent spa; full concierge services and organized activities for adults and children; and all kinds of sports facilities.

International airport upgraded
A key infrastructure project will make getting to The Bahamas even easier. Lynden Pindling International Airport, the country’s primary international gateway, is being upgraded and expanded in a project to create new terminals, install advanced technologies, and extend runways so that the airport will be able to handle the new super-jumbo jets. When the project is completed, the airport will be the most up-to-date and efficient in the Caribbean.

The first phase of the development, set for completion in 2010, will include a new terminal with a USD 30 million baggage-handling system, solar energy, a water-recycling system, boutique shopping, and more.