Tourism: Much more than only sun, sand and sea

The tourism sector currently accounts for almost half of The Bahamas’ GDP and is expected to continue to grow as various ambitious anchor projects reach completion. To promote the sector’s success, the government is making significant new investments in tourism-related infrastructure and services.

Exceptional attractions only a short plane ride away

Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism

Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism, explains why The Bahamas has become one of the world’s top tourism destinations. “Sun, sand, and sea are just the beginning. At the core of our islands you will find a big heart, open arms, and a way of life that is both timeless and new. It is our heritage,” he says. Easy access from the United States, casinos, spas, unlimited sports opportunities, exceptional shopping, a wide range of food and drink options and luxury accommodations are also part of The Bahamas’ appeal for visitors.

One current goal for the tourism ministry is to ensure a higher standard of tourism services through such programs as Bahamahost, which “promotes professionalism, pride, and education in hospitality fields to make sure we give a proper welcome to visitors,” Wilchcombe points out.

Other projects aim to help visitors experience Bahamian culture, like the People-to-People program to promote cultural exchanges between visitors and local residents, and festivals like Junkanoo that celebrate local customs and crafts.

Commenting on trends in the country’s tourism sector, Wilchcombe cites the growing popularity of the country’s outlying islands, including Harbour Island at Eleuthera, ranked one of the most attractive islands in the Caribbean, and Exuma, which one survey has named among the top five islands in the world to live on. “Projects with developers on the islands, like Cotton Bay Estates & Villas on Eleuthera, the I-Group on Mayaguana, and the Ginn project in the West End of Grand Bahama, have proved a winning combination for the international public and for The Bahamas,” he concludes.

Dollar/Thrifty

“We provide the best service money can buy.”

Dollar/Thrifty provides international-class car rental services for individual and corporate clients in The Bahamas. With a focus on customer service, the company also takes pride in its high-quality fleet. As Mrs. Lorna Pratt, Managing Director, points out, “What makes our rental company different is that we provide mostly European cars, like the VW Jetta, or top-class Chinese cars, none more than two years old, so our vehicles are of better quality than those of other rental companies here.”

Dollar/Thrifty has six convenient offices in The Bahamas, three in Freeport and three in Nassau, including in the international airport, and has around 200 vehicles on hand. Owned by the Donato Group, a leader in the services industry, Dollar/Thrifty is known for providing excellent value for money. The company also supports a number of community-service projects and promotes the local economy.

Most of Dollar/Thrifty’s business is from Americans, according to Pratt. She explains, “We are the primary supplier of rental cars for American tourists in The Bahamas, because we have an excellent range of cars to suit our customers’ needs, and we have many repeat customers satisfied with our services who tell their friends about us. We provide the best service money can buy.”

Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort

“Being a small resort allows us to offer more personalized service.”

Ocean Reef Yacht Club and Resort in Freeport is an excellent choice not only for short-term visitors but also for those who would like a trouble-free second home in The Bahamas.

The property features elegant and comfortable accommodations ranging from efficiency apartments to townhouses, all equipped with kitchens, as well as a marina, swimming pools, tennis courts, a restaurant and bar, organized activities and more.

As Kor Dormans, President, explains, “A future venture we will offer will be fractional ownership with similar adavantages as timeshare but based on a long term stay.” Nina Dormans adds, “We also have hotel service and we have a nice marina which has a good quality/price ratio. In addition, being a small resort allows us to offer more personalized service.”

Another of Ocean Reef’s advantages is its convenient location just minutes from beaches and a championship golf course, among other attractions. The resort also provides car, boat and bike rental; an on-site dive shop; travel assistance; and special honeymoon, golf, diving, marina and other packages.

As for the future, the Dormans plan further improvements, including a new European-style restaurant and more luxurious accommodations. Visitors looking for a home-away-from-home in The Bahamas can find it at Ocean Reef.
For more information please visit www.oryc.com