The MOT has been negotiating with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacation “for some time” for direct flights between the two destinations.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Tourism said The Bahamas realises the potential of the Canadian tourist market, but added that more direct flights between the two destinations are required to tap into that market effectively. According to James Malcolm, Director of Group Travel at the MOT, if The Bahamas were successful in recruiting more Canadian tourists, this would encourage talks between the two countries for more airlift.
“We don’t have enough direct airlift between Canada and The Bahamas, and the only way to grow that is to grow the business.
“And the only way to grow the business is to increase airlift,” said Mr Malcolm, pointing out that it is a catch-22 situation.
Mr Malcolm is confident in the MOT’s ability to penetrate the Canadian tourist market, and feels in the short term more flights between the two destinations would be a reality. “It’s coming. It will come eventually because Canad-ians don’t want to connect to the US. They want to take direct non-stop flights,” Mr Malcolm said.
He added that direct flights to Grand Bahama from Canada would also boost tourism on that island.
By: BARRY WILLIAMS, The Nassau Guardian
