FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — December 13, 2019 – The Bahamas Tourist Office Sales and Marketing team recently organized a holiday event that was hosted in a lounge at the Brightline Station in Miami in to say thank you as well as celebrate with their South Florida travel industry, corporate and media partners.
The well-attended event provided an opportunity for the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism to convey thanks to its Florida partners and friends for the generous outpouring of love for the country in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Dorian. The category 5 hurricane had a catastrophic effect on Freeport, Grand Bahama and the Abaco Islands, two of The Bahamas’16 unique island destinations.
Executive Director of Sales for Bahamas Tourism, Bridgette King, as well as her Director of Sales, Betty Bethel-Moss, expressed thanks to those in attendance on behalf of The Islands Of The Bahamas and its people. King told guests that their assistance was “what took us (The Bahamas) to the next level in 2019.”
On a high note, King shared that although The Bahamas had just missed its projected 7 million visitor mark in 2019, due to Hurricane Dorian, the year 2020 is being targeted as the year of hope to meet that mark.
“Grand Bahama is coming on strong and although it may be a little while for Abaco, they are still rocking,” King declared.
King said that the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s plan is to, “come out swinging next year,” noting that Bahamas Tourism is expecting some exciting new things for 2020, including a brand-new campaign, new initiatives on the ground and activations including one at the world-famous Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida for an entire month.
King also disclosed that The Bahamas will be testing a new customs preclearance system for The Bahamas from South Florida FBO’s.
The festive holiday event featured rhythmic Bahamian music and tasty authentic Bahamian dishes, including Bahamian peas n’ rice, baked macaroni n’ cheese and grouper. The highlight of the evening was a presentation of Junkanoo, The Bahamas’ premier cultural celebration.
Partners represented at the event included those from airlines, hotels, tour operators, wholesalers, journalists, bloggers and more. Corporate partner, Brightline Stations, where the event was hosted, was represented by its Vice President of Corporate Sponsorships.
The event in Miami followed the BTO Florida’s Christmas Mix-N-Mingle in Orlando, Florida, a few days earlier. The marketing team members with King and Moss include District Sales Managers Tina Lee-Anderson and Sanique Culmer; Senior Marketing Representatives, Adrian Kemp and Phylia Shivers; and Marketing Co-Ordinator, Elke Pettiford.
For information on The Bahamas, call 800-4-Bahamas or go online to www.bahamas.com.
