November 2002 Table of Contents

TOURISM OFFICE UPDATE

The 6th Annual All-Abaco Regatta took place September 19-21 in the beautiful waters between Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay. This year’s event was once again a great success and many felt that it was the best attended ever. The island of Abaco benefitted greatly as there were no rental cars available and in the Treasure Cay area there were no hotel or rental homes available. The weather was great for sailing and the Abaco Rage once again won the Class A title. Jeff Gale of the Abaco rage won most outstanding skipper for this year’s regatta. At the closing ceremonies Agatha Marcel, Parliamentary Secretary Ministry of Tourism, gave brief remarks and the keynote address was delivered by Hon Neville Wisdom, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. Also in attendance at the closing ceremonies were Hon Bradley Roberts, Minister of Works and Utilities, Hon Robert Sweeting, MP for South Abaco, and Senator Edison Key. After the closing ceremony the Soulful Groovers of Nassau entertained the huge crowd.

As part of the activities celebrating Eco-Tourism and International Coastal Clean-Up months September and October the Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with Dolphin Encounters Ltd, sponsored a Beach Buddy Clean-Up on 18th September. The Clean-Up involved three schools: Treasure Cay Primary; Amy Roberts Primary, Green Turtle Cay; and S C Bootle High School, Coopers Town. The Amy Roberts students cleaned up Gillam Bay while the Treasure Cay Primary and S C Bootle students cleaned up Treasure Cay beach. Some 88 students participated in this event with 14 teachers and parents supervising. Clarissa Kinger and Jonathon Wong of Dolphin Encounters spearheaded the Clean-Up with assistance from Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office.

The Ministry of Tourism held a follow up meeting to the Linkages workshop held at Superclubs’ Breezes on 11th April when buyers and producers were brought together with the long term view that more Bahamian produce could find its way to the tables of hotels and restaurants in the country. The meeting was held at the Marriott Crystal Palace on 3rd October and gave farmers the opportunity to tell of any success or problems experienced since the first meeting. John Hedden, secretary to the Abaco Farmers’ Association, made a presentation on the needs for farmers to organise as a lobbying group. In addition, Vincent Pinder gave brief remarks on Abaco Big Bird’s success since the first meeting. Along with the above mentioned attending from Abaco were Melbourne Wells, Rudy Pinder, Carol Lowe, Sheila Kelly and Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office.

Greg Rolle of Bahamas Tourist Office Miami brought a Fly In to Abaco. The planes flew into Treasure Cay International Airport and the group was hosted at Green Turtle Club Resort. A total of 13 planes brought 33 people who were met and welcomed by Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office. The group was hosted to a cocktail reception and dinner on the Friday evening during which Ricardo Toote, officer in charge of Bahamas Customs at Treasure Cay, addressed the group on the procedures to clear an aircraft flying into The Bahamas. This gave the pilots an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns pertaining to flying in the islands. They also had the opportunity to snorkel, fish and explore the beautiful island of Abaco.

November 2002 Table of Contents