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R
epresenting nearly three-quarters
of the country’s GDP, tourism is
without a doubt the mainstay of
the Bahamian economy.
“Historically, a five-star hotel in the
Caribbean would have a beach, some
rooms, a spa and an average gym. But
today, the stakes are so much higher.” says
Christopher Anand, Managing Partner of
luxury resort community, Albany. “Our
goal is to become the Monaco of the
Caribbean.” Founders of the resort include
Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.
Bimini Sands Resort
University of The Bahamas
A driver of academic vibrancy across the Bahamian archipelago and around the globe
Since 1998, Bimini Sands Resort
has thrilled both visitors and residents
alike with its serene marina and lovely
accommodations—both of which truly
reflect the unique culture of The Bahamas.
Located on the picturesque island of South
Bimini, it is the only complex of its kind on
the entire island.
The resort offers condominiums for rent
or sale for visitors looking for what is often
considered to be the ideal “home away
from home experience.”
Mr. Rupert Roberts, the resort’s developer,
has ensured the highest levels of quality and
comfort for guests. The marina, beach club,
gourmet restaurant, beach-front views, and
nature trails are just a few of the perks to
be enjoyed on a daily basis. With units
going fast, now is the perfect time to buy or
invest in this wonderful piece of Bahamian
paradise.
A university leaves a distinct mark on the
society in which it operates; an imprint on
the educational, socio-economic, cultural and
even creative fabric of the citizenry.
President of The University of The Bahamas
and Harvard University alumnus Dr. Rodney
D. Smith believes in the institution as a driver
of academic vibrancy and relevance across
the Bahamian archipelago and around the
globe. “A university represents the strength of
a country. It is an institution for a higher kind
of education, an institution for research, an
institution for innovation, one that treasures its
culture and history. There must be a repository
and an initiator of change, and that is what the
University of The Bahamas represents for the
Bahamian people,” states President Smith.
Extension facilities of the University of The
Bahamas system operate under separate yet
integrated strategic plans, which ensures a
robust academic environment throughout
the country. The University’s campus in
Grand Bahama, for instance, is destined to
become the Centre of Excellence for Maritime,
Industrial, Manufacturing and Entrepreneurial
Studies.
As the 16th largest employer in The Bahamas,
The University of The Bahamas is a global
competitor and contributor. Today’s University
of The Bahamas offers baccalaureate degrees
across a broad spectrum of disciplines in
Liberal and Fine Arts, Social and Educational
Studies, Pure and Applied Sciences, Business
and Culinary and Hospitality Management. In
addition to Master’s Degrees in collaboration
with overseas institutions, The University
also offers its own – including the Master’s
of Business Administration and Master’s of
Science in Reading with a concentration in
Inclusive Education. Many of The University’s
more than 12,000 graduates have established
successful careers and leading industries and
innovations across the world.
For more information or to apply, visit
www.
ub.edu.bs.
UB
UN I V E R S I T Y
Tourism
The country with a thousand faces: Adapting the Bahamian tourism industry
Some may think of long white sand beaches,
palm trees, and perhaps pigs swimming
nearby; others will picture a luxury cruise;
for the gamblers, casinos will come to mind.
The tropical island vibe will forever be a part
of The Bahamas’ identity – an immediate
association, akin to Paris’ Eiffel Tower or
Venice’s gondolas – but the Caribbean nation
strives to offer more to its six million yearly
visitors.
Over the years, that strategy has proven
successful; The Bahamas is the number one
tourism destination among English-speaking
CARICOM countries, is 12th in the Americas,
and 58th globally. But given tourism is the
largest contributing sector to the country’s
GDP and employs up to 60% of the country’s
workforce, it cannot afford to rest on its
laurels.
“After the recession, the market plummeted
and we had difficulties,” says Bahamian
Tourism Minister Obediah Wilchcombe.
“We had to get back in the game. We used
sports tourism to do it. The first visitor was
the Miami Heat in 2013 and it was very
effective,” he adds, remembering Dwayne
Wade and Lebron James tweeting from The
Bahamas.
Regional competition intensified by Cuba’s
opening to the United States leaves the
minister unfazed. “We don’t worry about the
competition, rather we let the competition
worry about us,” he says.
The Bahamas is not even close to running
out of ideas to develop. Its rich history – from
the time of the pirates to its role in Nelson
Mandela’s release – is a mostly unexploited
branding resource. “Cultural heritage is big
for us. For example, last year we introduced
our carnival but this year we mixed it with
our Junkanoo street parades,” says Mr.
Wilchcombe.
The nation’s infrastructure and legal
framework also play a key role in diversifying
tourism, as stem cell research brings medical
tourism while tax concessions and meeting
spaces allow for international conferences
and smaller corporate meetings.
Most of all, the archipelago’s biggest resource,
its geography, still has untapped potential,
thanks to the widely varied experiences
offered by the Family Islands; some of the
major ones include: Abaco, Andros, Bimini,
Eleuthera, Exuma… “Although we don’t have
a cruise that originates in Nassau and goes
around the islands, the Ministry of Tourism
through its current marketing strategy aims to
differentiate the multiple island destinations.”
THE HON. OBEDIAH H.
WILCHCOMBE
Minister of Tourism
THE HON. JEROME FITZGERALD
Minister of Education, Science
and Technology
