Mr. MacVean, offered the Association’s traditional year end state of the industry assessment as he concluded two years of service as President for the organization.
“On average, despite two hurricanes and the temporary closure of several key properties, 2004 has been a good year for the industry as we turned the tide of nearly three difficult years” stated MacVean.
Despite the gains, MacVean cautioned that the industry has much to do to improve its product and be prepared to take full advantage of pending opportunities. ﾠ”Global dynamics has changed the habits of the traveling public and the way we conduct business. ﾠCompetition for the tourism dollar is more fierce and continues to grow as customers are more travel savvy and demand more options and seamless service.
In the midst of these changes, new development projects throughout The Bahamas will challenge our ability to ensure the human and physical infrastructure is in place to support the success of the industry” stated MacVean.
Recognizing these dynamics, BHA has stepped up its efforts to be a more effective advocate and activist for the industry. Focus has been placed on raising the public profile of BHA, with the intention of increasing public awareness about the importance of the industry and advancing a unified industry voice on issues of importance. ﾠ
Renewed emphasis has been placed on education and training. ﾠ”Underpinning our efforts to help close the gap between the low level basic skills which far too many high school leavers possess and the high level of skills which industry needs in increasing abundance, will be the results of a Hospitality Industry Human Resources Needs Assessment being undertaken by BHA and the Ministry of Tourism” stated the BHA President. ﾠThis will be completed in early 2005 and, according to BHA, with industry support, educator receptivity, and political will, implementation of some of its key recommendations will help to shape the program and curriculum emphasis of our education institutions. ﾠ
In 2004, working with the Department of Education and the Ministry of Tourism, BHA laid the groundwork for a new commitment by industry and education to work together. ﾠSeveral hundred educators and industry personnel participated in a series of workshops, seminars and internships aimed at creating a greater shared understanding of industry’s and education’s needs. This has laid the foundation for curriculum and program enhancements which the organization’s Tourism Task Force for Education will be working on in 2005.
Two key certification programs were launched this year aimed at helping to ensure that more industry personnel consistently provide a level of customer service at world-class standards. ﾠﾠFollowing several years of planning, the organization is positioned in 2005 for major expansion of the Caribcert Program administered by the School of Hospitality & Tourism Studies and BHA, and the AHLA-based certification program managed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Fulfilling its advocacy role, BHA advanced industry’s views and recommendations to Government on many issues. ﾠThis included advancing legislation to regulate the motorized watersports industry, assisting with improvements to security screening procedures at Nassau International Airport, and providing input on legislation and policies considered or adopted by Government. ﾠThe organizations also worked in 2004 to improve communications with members, other business organizations and member services. ﾠ
MacVean commended the members of the business community who have volunteered their time and expertise to assist with the activities of the organization and expressed confidence in President Elect Earle Bethell, Executive Vice President Frank Comito and the team which assumes leadership of BHA in 2005. ﾠ”Core to our overall work is our commitment to work together — with our members, our fellow business organizations, with the Ministry of Tourism and all relevant areas of Government, with multi-lateral organizations, overseas travel partners, and others — to build a stronger, more productive and more profitable industry”
MacVean concluded by stating “It has been my great pleasure to serve as BHA’s President. ﾠI encourage more of our members to invest more of their time and talent to help make The Bahamas everything that it can be.”
