ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
The Annual Treasure Cay Beach Resort Billfish Championship was held 23rd-28th June. A total of 40 boats participated, involving some 280 people. A welcome and kick-off cocktail reception and dinner was held on Sunday 23rd June where participants were able to meet and interact with each other and place their bets as to who would be the top angler at the end of the week. The entire staff of the Abaco Tourist Office attended the reception and dinner.
On the lay day of the tournament an Arts and Crafts Show was held at the Coco Bar. This gave local Abaconians an opportunity to display their talents and give our many visitors the chance to purchase something Bahamian. A Beach Olympics was also held for the visitors at which Kendy Anderson represented the Abaco Tourist Office. Don Cornish, manager, and Wynsome Ferguson attended the weigh in, Anglers' Cook-Out and bonfire at the Coco Bar on Thursday. All anglers brought their own entrees with Treasure Cay Resort providing the rest of the meal and everybody was able to sample each other's entrees. A crab race was also held at this event. Mr Cornish attended the closing ceremony and awards presentation for the Billfish Championship on Friday night.
A familiarisation trip took place 28th-29th June for Inktel, the Tele-Marketing/Fulfillment Center that represents the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in the United States. This group was able to see hotels and attractions in Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay and well as Marsh Harbour. The group had an afternoon of boating with the popular tour and fishing guide Lincoln Jones. Donnajeane Turnquest of Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board and Sheena Newton of the Ministry of Tourism, Nassau, accompanied them. Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office assisted this group during their stay in Abaco.
Goombay Summer Festival 2002 was held for the second week on 28th June and hundreds flocked to the streets of downtown Marsh Harbour. They were entertained by native dance Fame Productions, limbo king Desmond, native fashion show by Dr Sharon Burrows. Junkanoo and the Impact Band. Bahamian food and drinks were also enjoyed.
Marsh Harbour International Airport was extremely busy on 29th June. According to Immigration officials, 91 planes landed at the airport with one plane touching down every six minutes. A total of 657 people cleared Immigration with 630 of them being visitors. An estimated 800 plus people landed at the airport if you include Bahamasair, Southern Air, Abaco Air, Cherokee Air and other private and charter planes.
The 27th year of Regatta Time in Abaco began with a pre-race party at Fiddle Cay on 3rd July, followed by the skippers' meeting at New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay. The entire staff of the Abaco Tourist Office attended both events and Don Cornish welcomed and thanked the participants on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism.
The first day of sailing began on 4th July in Green Turtle Cay. Each race was held in a different part of Abaco which allowed the entire island to benefit. 55 boats sailed in the regatta, attracting some 500 people. Regatta Time in Abaco ended on 11th July with the awards presentation and dinner at the Jib Room in Marsh Harbour. Some 500 people attended this event.
Bahamas Beach Barbecue Fly-In, headed by Greg Rolle of Bahamas Tourist Office, Miami, was held from 4th-7th July. The fly-in took place at the Treasure Cay International Airport and Wynsome Ferguson and Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office were on hand to greet them. Four planes participated, bringing some 50 people to our island. We were very pleased to welcome Richard Foster, a first time participant and visitor who flew all the way from Houston along with three other persons.
The group was hosted to a welcome conch pizza cocktail reception compliments of the Ministry of Tourism where they were officially welcomed by Don Cornish. Following the reception they were treated to a fireworks display to celebrate American independence. The following evening they were hosted to a reception compliments of the management and staff of host Treasure Cay Beach Resort. Jos Konsten, general manager, welcomed and thanked them for choosing the Abacos.
The highlight of their trip was a beach barbecue party held on Saturday. This was where the staff of the Abaco Tourist Office and Greg Rolle, coordinator of this event, catered to the group. Don Cornish was the bartender while Wynsome and Kendy worked the barbecue grill and Greg entertained. In addition, the group visited the various Abaco cays, went snorkeling and scuba diving or simply just enjoyed themselves doing nothing on Treasure Cay's beautiful beach.
Goombay Summer Festival 2002 was held for the third week on 12th July. Special guest for occasion was Geno D, Eugene Davis. A large number of people gathered in downtown Marsh Harbour for what the police called the largest Goombay crowd to date. Many visitors and locals enjoyed the show that was put on for them.
The Murphy Town Homecoming took place from 10th-14th July at the Murphy Town Park. The official opening took place on Wednesday and there was a 60's and 70's cultural and fashion show on Saturday. The homecoming closed out with an Ole Time Gospel Concert on Sunday. It was hoped that the homecoming would raise $7,000 to provide charter plane service for the sick.
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