NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) recent virtual Board of Directors and Members meeting brought approximately 100 key tourism stakeholders from the private and public sector together to report on the state of the tourism industry, airlift and occupancy forecasts for The Bahamas.
Senior executives from both the public and private sector, including President of the BHTA Robert “Sandy” Sands; Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Joy Jibrilu; President of Baha Mar Graeme Davis; Senior Vice President of the BHTA and VP at Atlantis Paradise Island Jackson Weech, joined promotion board heads Fred Lounsberry (Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board); Ian Rolle (Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board); Kerry Fountain (Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board); Joe Dargavage (Association of Bahamas Marinas); and Vernice Walkine (Nassau Airport Development Company) in reporting on their respective sectors.
Commentary from tourism representatives conveyed optimism as stakeholders reported robust booking pace, particularly in the high-end luxury markets and key sectors such as the yachting and boating segment of the tourism market. Stakeholders predicted a consistent, marked improvement in occupancy rates throughout the wider industry in the third and fourth quarter of 2021, which should continue throughout 2022.
Sands said: “The future looks bright for tourism in our region. I believe, through collaboration, we can navigate a steady and sure path to recovery. By continuing to encourage adherence to sound health and safety protocols for visitors and our local population, and with the implementation of prescribed preventative measures including a robust and comprehensive vaccination strategy, we will meet and surpass the challenges we face today.
“Also key to the recovery of our tourism sector is the continued enhancement of private sector participation in the decision-making process locally and in our source markets regarding matters pertaining to health and safety mitigation and prevention strategies.”
The BHTA meeting brought together a cadre of formidable tourism representatives from leading Caribbean destinations — Senator Rudy Grant, CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association; Stacy Cox, CEO of the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association; and Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI) and the ATL Group and president of The Sandals Foundation.

Stewart, during his presentation, commented: “There is absolutely a light at the end of this tunnel; the worst is far behind us. The Caribbean has been the darling of the world and the Americas for decades upon decades; it is the most beautiful part of the world; the richness of the people, the soul, all of it cannot be achieved anywhere else on the planet and as a result, I feel very strongly about where the [recovery] is heading for us.”
The panelists were unified in expressing how important it was for the public and private sector to work together to ensure all voices would be heard as jurisdictions continue to face challenges posed by COVID.
Stewart underscored the need for tourism to have a seat at the table to afford the hospitality industry the best possible opportunity to recover from decimation and to survive, given the reality that some hotels today were only achieving single-digit occupancies.
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association will continue to provide opportunities for collaboration and understanding between the public and private sector, regional and offshore industry partners, through forums such as the panelist session held on March 25, 2021.
Another important topic discussed by the panelists was the vaccination strategy of the respective destinations.
Barbados has been able to attain a vaccination rate of 20 percent of the overall population, a total of 60,000 persons; and Turks and Caicos, 32 percent of the population.

Cox reported Turks received their first batch of 10,000 Pfizer vaccines in January 2021; an additional 23,000 arrived in February and they were expecting a third batch of 19,000 in April 2021.
Recognizing the resistance by some members of the local community to taking the vaccine, Turks and Caicos’ public and private sector embarked upon a public outreach campaign, using forums, educational programs, social media, educational videos and local influencers to “lead by example” and help dispel myths and misunderstandings by talking about their own real experiences with the vaccine.
Cox spoke to the success of their efforts, noting that the number of vaccinated hotel workers jumped from 10 percent to 70 percent, according to the results of a survey of TCHTA members.