Eleven prominent figures in the area of religion are in the capital this week hosted by the Ministry Of Tourism and Bishop Neil C. Ellis in an effort to expand religious tourism in the country.

Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis met with the group.  He said, “there are several leading pastoral gentlemen who are present an their interest in being in The Bahamas and promoting to their congregation to come and spend time in The Bahamas, to bring retreats and to have conferences here I think that its a wonderful idea and I take my hat off and give Bishop Ellis my full support and congratulations for what he is doing for us.”

Also on hand was Director General of Tourism, Latia Duncombe.  She spoke to ZNS News about what the group are going to see while in the country.  “They’re going to see conference spaces that we have to offer, see a little bit of the destination also the new museum that Bishop has recently opened, also Downtown with our Sun, Sand, Souvenir Initiative by our Tourism Development Corporation.  We’re sharing the entire island with them.  And these individuals that are here with us represents thousands and thousands when you look at their congregation and also their reach from the social media perspective it’s then in the millions.”

Bishop Ellis said that as a Christian nation it’s wise to focus on a segment of tourist.  “Well we don’t  just have a eleven religious leader.  We have eleven prominent religious leaders particularly of the African American and Latino markets.  This is a Christian nation.  We’re founded on Christian principles and its only wise for the Ministry of Tourism to focus on a certain segment of tourist coming into our country that can no only spend money but can help to anchor us in our values,” Bishop Ellis said.

Among the visiting Pastor was famed gospel singer Bishop Hezekiah Walker who expressed his excitement to be in The Bahamas.