{"id":25950,"date":"2012-09-23T20:02:08","date_gmt":"2012-09-24T00:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/?p=25950"},"modified":"2012-10-01T08:44:11","modified_gmt":"2012-10-01T12:44:11","slug":"the-bahamas-becomes-priceless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless","title":{"rendered":"The Bahamas Becomes &#8216;Priceless&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_25951\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25951\" style=\"width: 486px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-25951 \" title=\"mastercard\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/mastercard.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"486\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/mastercard.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/mastercard-150x69.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/mastercard-250x115.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-25951\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rafael Fuentes, Rafael Puebla, Lorena Holguin, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe at MasterCard reception September 20 2102. Photo by Roland Rose<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Nassau, Bahamas \u2013 MasterCard Worldwide, in partnership Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, celebrated the success of their destinations program \u201cFind Your Way\u201d by hosting a cocktail reception for the program\u2019s participating merchants at the National Art Gallery, where MasterCard shared the program\u2019s 2011 results and announced its evolution into \u201cPriceless Bahamas\u201d. The program, which will now be part of MasterCard\u2019s global platform Priceless Cities, will continue to offer MasterCard cardholders traveling to the island, unique experiences and exclusive benefits through a series of special offers designed to enhance the visitor experience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are very excited to continue growing our destinations program \u201cFind Your Way\u201d as it extends throughout 2012 and evolves into Priceless Bahamas\u201d said Rafael Puebla, head of Marketing for Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and the Caribbean for MasterCard Worldwide\u2019s Latin America and Caribbean region.<br \/>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-25950 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5443'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5443-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5443-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5443-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5443.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5452'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5452-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5452-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5452-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5452.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5469'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5469-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5469-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5469-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5469.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5471'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5471-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5471-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5471-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5471.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5480'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5480-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5480-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5480-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5480.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5483'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5483-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5483-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5483-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5483.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5490'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5490-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5490-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5490-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5490.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5493'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5493-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5493-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5493-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5493.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5494'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5494-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5494-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5494-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5494.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5504'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5504-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5504-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5504-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5504.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5512'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5512-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5512-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5512-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5512.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2012\/09\/the-bahamas-becomes-priceless\/img_5520'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5520-150x112.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5520-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5520-250x187.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/IMG_5520.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<br \/>\n\u201cThis means that not only is this fantastic destination program continuing &#8211; with even more merchants and offers to maximize the tourists experience at the Bahamas, but also that now this fantastic city joins a slew of global destinations \u2013 part of MasterCard\u2019s Priceless Cities platform.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>MasterCard\u2019s Priceless Cities program was born from MasterCard\u2019s desire to create unique, priceless experiences in the most exciting cities in the world, with the goal of creating a destinations platform that goes beyond borders, and beyond just offering discounts, but that truly helps create memorable experiences in these unique destinations. The Bahamas will join other elite cities that are already part of the program, such as New York, Beijing and Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>During 2012, MasterCard cardholders visiting Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas will continue to enjoy exclusive offers when they use their MasterCard\u00ae cards to shop at 53 participating merchants throughout the island (i.e. restaurants, retail stores, car rentals, hotels, limited tours and entertainment).<\/p>\n<p>For a complete list of merchants and program details, please visit www.mastercard.com\/bs.<\/p>\n<p>At the reception, Rafael Fuentes, MasterCard Worldwide\u2019s Latin America and Caribbean region, thanked the Bahamas Tourism Ministry and the program\u2019s participating merchants for their continuous support. \u201cSince we created the program in 2008, our goal has always been not only to maximize the visit of the tourists that visit the island, but also, to support local merchants from the tourism industry, as this is a key sector of the Bahamian economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The 2012 program currently includes a total of 53 participating merchants in over 70 locations, an increase of 57 percent since the program\u2019s inception in 2008. At the reception, MasterCard announced a total of $64.5 million sales from participating merchant categories in 2011, which represents an increase of 7.5% since 2010 &#8211; despite the recent economic challenges suffered by the tourism industry.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the program aims to contribute to an overall positive experience by island visitors and the local merchant community alike, and shared that during 2012 the participating merchant satisfaction level exceeded program targets, reaching a 97 percent satisfaction level.<\/p>\n<p>The Bahamian Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe added, \u201cWe are thrilled to continue our partnership with MasterCard in 2012, in our joint effort to make the Bahamas the top destination in the Caribbean by offering enriching experiences to the tourists that visit the island. The success that the program experienced in 2011 is a perfect example of true partnership between MasterCard, the merchants and the Tourism Ministry, and it shows how together, we can achieve great results. We fully support the program and are excited that our island is now \u201cPriceless\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>About <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mastercard.com\" target=\"_blank\">MasterCard Worldwide <\/a><\/p>\n<p>MasterCard is a global payments and technology company. It operates the world\u2019s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard\u2019s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities \u2013 such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances \u2013 easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter@MasterCardNews, join the conversation on Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #888888;\"><em>Diane Phillips and Associates<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\"><em>Main photo credit: Roland Rose for DP&amp;A<\/em><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #888888;\"><em>Gallery images by BahamasB2B News Team<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Caption: MasterCard\u2019s Destination Program \u201cFind Your Way\u201d Evolves into Global Platform \u201cPriceless Cities\u201d and Continues to Deliver Value and Enhanced Experiences for Tourists in2012 \u00b7MasterCard\u2019s destination program shows success in 2011 and returns in 2012 with a robust suite of year-long experiences and offers MasterCard announces that its travel and entertainment program done in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and local merchants, will now become Priceless Bahamas as part of the global platform \u201cPriceless Cities\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MasterCard Worldwide, in partnership with Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, celebrated the success of their destinations program \u201cFind Your Way\u201d and announced its evolution into \u201cPriceless Bahamas\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10223285771444175_51037792744":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[153,98,154,73],"class_list":["post-25950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-business","tag-business-2","tag-financial","tag-shopping","tag-travel-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25950\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}