Minister of Tourism the Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin spoke with ZNS News about the ministry’s plans to strengthen the tourism product on Monday. This came after veteran hotelier Jackson Weech was named as the new Director General of Tourism.
Hanna Martin said the focus is not only on bringing in more tourists but ensuring the benefits are felt within island communities. She said, “we are restructuring the ministry. We are shifting focus. We’re bringing a strong focus on product, which is the local scenario wherever that is in our country. So, in Grand Bahama, we will look to see what are the features of Grand Bahama. How can we curate an experience so if someone comes here, they know they’re coming to somewhere that has a strong, beautiful history and culture and that when they are able to participate in that, they know they’ve been to Grand Bahama, they’ve been to The Bahamas.”
Hanna Martin revealed that an officer will be appointed dedicated to the improvement of the tourism product. She also said the ministry will work with the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) to bring more of the nation’s history and heritage into the visitor experience.
“We’ve appointed a committee that is now reviewing Bahama Host to see how we can make it more relevant, more preparatory for people who are in the industry so that they’re able to navigate any challenges that may arise. We’re looking at various sites that are historical or public sites. We’re collaborating with AMMC so that we can begin to add that as part of the understanding of The Bahamas because we understand that tourism is not just hotels and beaches. People want to know they’ve come to an archipelago called The Bahamas, the only one in the region and one with a diverse population that brings its own unique thing.”
