James Turner, director of Strategic Planning and Marketing in the ministryﾒs Florida office, said several factors, including schools reopening and the hurricane season, contribute to a slump in September.
“We go through every year this September period where traditionally we have some challenges getting folks into our rooms,” Mr. Turner said.
“But I can tell you I am very optimistic about moving forward because I think for the first time in a long time a lot of the Grand Bahama hoteliers have gotten very aggressive.”
He said Grand Bahama is very competitively priced on online sites like Expedia, Grandbahamavacations, and Travelocity.
Mr. Turner acknowledged that Grand Bahamaﾒs tourism product has faced some challenges in recent times, but said officials have launched creative marketing campaigns, which translate into increased business for the island.
“Going beyond September, I know the tourism board is getting ready for a really aggressive posture moving forward with the Ministry of Tourism in terms of advertisement for Grand Bahama. So thatﾒs also going to be good news from them,” he said.
The summer period ended with strong numbers for hotel bookings, according to Mr. Turner. In an earlier interview, Mr. Turner said properties such as Sheraton at Our Lucaya Resort, Pelican Bay and Club Viva Fortuna were almost at full, if not full occupancy for June through August.
He had also said that in spite of the threat of an active Atlantic hurricane season, there was no significant fall off in business.
Meanwhile, Mr. Turner, who said figures regarding hotel bookings for the fall/winter season were being compiled, gave projections for October through December.
“I think coming out of September and going into the early to mid October we should have some good business because we are going to get some advertising going out there for Grand Bahama,” he said.
“I know weﾒre going to be a whole lot more aggressive online. The folks of Grand Bahama Vacations are gearing up with all these new rates to make sure that Grand Bahama, if nothing else, is visible during the October, November, December season,” Mr. Turner said.
While in Grand Bahama recently, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said that over the next 10 years Grand Bahama will have a brand and destination unequalled to any in the Caribbean.
The minister said Grand Bahama had just over 3,000 hotel rooms in its inventory, but would need 7,000 to 10,000 hotel rooms over the next decade to be competitive.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
