Esther Escobar, Manager of Liberty Travel, Pembroke Pines office, based in Fort Lauderdale, visited Abaco 11th - 13th March of a familiarisation trip. While on Abaco Mrs Escobar had the opportunity to visit hotels and attractions in Marsh Harbour, Hope Town, Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay. Wynsome Ferguson made the arrangements for her trip and escorted Mrs Escobar during her visit.
The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club monthly meeting was held on 11th March under the theme of Hawaiian Night. Members and their guests all dressed in Hawaiian attire for a luau at Abaco Beach Resort. As the pig was cooked, Hawaiian music was played and those entering the costume competition displayed their attire. There was also a hula dance competition which Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office entered. Her manager, Don Cornish, was one of the judges so she could not capture the title of Hula Dance Queen 2003. Over 100 people attended the event.
The staff of the Abaco Tourist Office visited Spanish Cay Resort and Marina on 12th March to view the upgrades and changes that have taken place at the resort. A new restaurant and an extension to the resort store were under construction and were completed in April. The resort consists of 12 rooms, 88 slips at the marina and two restaurants. Managers Scott Brandt and Susan Boisvert are looking forward to hosting a leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship which takes place 5th-10th May.
A meeting was held with Abaco farmers on 13th March to discuss the upcoming Abaco Heritage Festival scheduled for 23rd-25th May and hosted by the Abaco Tourist Office. The farmers are excited about this event as it would give them an opportunity to showcase their produce to the people of Abaco and visitors.
The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Abaco Tourist Office, conducted a survey of powerboats and sailing yachts visiting Abaco. This survey was agreed to in November 2002 in order to determine the annual contribution of this sector to our economy. The club was asked to conduct random samples in the initial survey with a more thorough study to be conducted later in 2003. The findings of this study are available and have been forwarded for the attention of the Senior Manager, Northern Bahamas.
Reef Relief, in cooperation with the Architectural Preservation Foundation of Green Turtle Cay, held the official opening of the Captain Roland Roberts House Environmental Centre in New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay, on 28th March. Reef Relief is a nonprofit membership organisation dedicated to preserve and protect living coral reef ecosystems through local, regional and global efforts. Heading the Reef Relief Organisation are Craig and DeeVon Quirilo of Key West. David Bethel of Green Turtle Cay is the president of the Architectural Preservation Foundation. Reef Relief is operating the centre as a public funds educational facility to increase awareness and support for the protecting coral reefs in this fast-growing area of The Bahamas. New Plymouth is the sister city to Key West, where Reef Relief is headquartered. The centre features a classroom, library, offices and facilities for visiting researchers and speakers. It will support Reef Relief’s marine projects in the area that include maintenance of 18 reef mooring buoys to prevent anchor damage to reefs, a coral photo monitoring survey, and a coral nursery to salvage damaged corals. The Architectural preservation Foundation spearheaded the newly completed restoration of the historic Captain Roland Roberts House. The building dates from circa 1840 and represents classic wooden Bahamian architecture. The foundation will display historical images and information about Green Turtle Cay at the house. Mr George Mackey, chairman of the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation, attended this event as keynote speaker.
The launch and official opening of a dinghy dock attached to the Union Jack public dock was held on 1st April. The dinghy dock was constructed and donated by members of the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club for the purpose of boaters who come ashore to conduct business and do shopping in downtown Marsh Harbour. The club will also maintain and upkeep the dock. In attendance at the opening were Don Cornish and Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office and Dale Hill, member of the Local Port Authority Board for Marsh Harbour.
Don Cornish, manager of the Abaco Tourist Office, attended a meeting in Sandy Point on 3rd April to discuss plans for the first Annual Pete & Gay Bonefish Tournament to be held some time in February 2004. Mr Stanley White, owner/manager of this resort, is very excited and looking forward to hosting the event.
The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club held its monthly cocktail reception meeting on 8th April at the Pavilion, Abaco Beach Resort. During the meeting a presentation of $500 was made to BASRA Abaco Division and Trauma One ambulance service by Commodore Donald Van Beck. 164 club members attended the meeting.
The Abaco Beach Resort has welcomed Terry Ece to their staff as assistant general manager. Mr Ece is excited to be in Abaco and is looking forward to working with former colleague John Neophyte, general manager of Abaco Beach Resort.
The Fallon Interactive Group, responsible for upgrading the Ministry of Tourism’s website, visited Abaco 12th-14th. The group included Marty Davis, technical lead; Russ Stark, writer; Laura Fischer, project manager; and Vivian Smith of Bahamas Tourist Office, Fort Lauderdale. The group stayed at the Treasure Cay Beach resort and visited Green Turtle Cay. Marty Davis experienced diving with Treasure Divers based in Treasure Cay and the group visited the world famous Nippers on Great Guana Cay to enjoy their weekly pig roast. They also had the opportunity to see Marsh Harbour and the surrounding settlements and were hosted to dinner by Avis Miller of Treasure Cay Beach Resort and John Neophyte of Abaco Beach Resort. Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office escorted and assisted the group during their visit.
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