NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Tourism officials have inked a three-year agreement with Aliv/Cable Bahamas and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to inaugurate a “Smart Cruise Port.”
The installation process commenced on Wednesday and is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2024. The technological innovation aims to revolutionize the Nassau Cruise Port and the surrounding downtown area into a “smart zone.” The signing ceremony occurred at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation headquarters.
The initiative aims to establish a WiFi zone encompassing the Nassau Cruise Port and the surrounding areas, extending as far west as Arawak Cay and as far east as the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. The overarching goal of this innovative project is to enable The Bahamas to more efficiently leverage the untapped economic potential of cruise tourism.
Regarding the impending technological advancements planned for the City of Nassau, Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, remarked, “This timely, futuristic project aims to harness the power of technology in service to our number one industry in the heart of our capital city, where our cruise port welcomes an average of 12,000 to 15,000 cruise visitors daily.”
DPM Cooper further stated, “The tripartite collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, Aliv/Cable Bahamas, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology will result in the installation of the most up-to-date internet infrastructure in our city center. This technology will facilitate seamless connectivity, enabling us to collect crucial data on the thousands of cruise guests to our city, thereby enhancing their experience more efficiently.”
The implementation of “smart city” infrastructure at the Nassau Cruise Port and in the downtown area will enable the real-time collection of data on visitors’ preferences and interests, optimizing marketing efforts for greater economic impact and content development. Access to instant connectivity in the city will encourage more cruise passengers to disembark and engage in online sharing of their Bahamas experience.
The “smart city” technology’s capability will empower tourism stakeholders to market directly to cruise passengers and visitors downtown, fostering further exploration of Nassau and Paradise Island. It will motivate more visitors to support local businesses and spark the interest of visitors in making return visits as stayover guests.
The “Smart Cruise Port” project in downtown Nassau marks the initial step in bringing “smart city” infrastructure to the country. Subsequently, “smart zones” will be established on other major islands of The Bahamas.
