NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) President Peter Maury said yesterday the industry was working to get the word out that this nation is open for business and working to recapture a significant segment of the boating business amid ongoing COVID-19 travel concerns.
Maury told Eyewitness News: “We’re missing a big segment of the intermediate market. We have a fair number of big yachts right now that are anchored in our waters that are social distancing and vacationing.
“There’s a lot of places here to go and be secluded, which is what the wealthier people are looking to do.”
He added: “As far as that intermediate market is concerned, I think it’s slow going in getting that market back until people are comfortable traveling again.
“I think the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism [have] been very proactive in working with the association on the protocols to make that happen and try and bring this business back — certainly for the summer if not before.
“We are trying to get the word out that the country is open for business. We actually have one of the best travel visas in the Caribbean because our [day-five] testing allows the guest, once they are here, to get the test and return back to the US.”
Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last week noted that the tourism industry must continue to adapt and to explore new market segments.
“We have engaged the assistance of a US-based vendor with an existing database of over 10 million licensees, along with the Association of Marinas, to launch and market digital sports fishing, fly fishing and yacht charter licenses,” Minns said.
“While encouraging safe and sustainable fishing practices, increasing efforts to target this market segment [are] intended to diversify the Bahamian tourism product. This will mean more economic activity and jobs for bonefishing lodges, fly fishing guides, boutique resorts and the more than 2,000 Airbnb homeowners in the Family Islands offering services to this growing market.”
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