ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE

September 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
by Wynsome Ferguson

The 23rd annual Regatta Time in Abaco took place 4th-11th July. A total of 65 boats participated, which attracted some 600 people to the island. The races began in Green Turtle Cay and ended in Marsh Harbour, which allowed the sailors to enjoy and see most of our island. The Regatta ended with the awards ceremony at the Jib Room in Marsh Harbour on 11th July. According to Dave and Kathy Ralph, the organisers of this event, the Regatta was a great success.

Rhythm & Hues, a Los Angeles based production company, were in Abaco from 12th -14th July to shoot a commercial for Walt Disney World and its new Disney Magic. The crew of 32 was headed by director Richard Taylor and they filmed in Hope Town as well as Castaway Cay and aboard the Disney Magic.

Onboard Media, based in Miami Beach, were in Abaco from 13th-15th July to produce a video for Disney Cruise Line on the island of Castaway Cay. The programme title is "The Mystery of Castaway Cay", a ten minute feature on the island's attractions and activities. This is a non-broadcast programme that will be played exclusively on the Disney Magic for the guests travelling on board.

The 2nd annual Goombay Summer Festival commenced on 23rd July in the streets of downtown Marsh Harbour in front of Dove Plaza. The official opening began with brief remarks by Chief Councillor Mike Malone and MP Robert Sweeting, with the keynote address given by Senator Calvin Johnson, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, who declared the event officially opened. The programme for the evening included the Royal Bahamas Police Force band, merengue dance competition and contest, junkanoo parade, plaiting of the maypole, rake 'n' scrape band, ring play, a cultural skit, limbo dance demonstration and contest, and a calypso band. This event was enjoyed by our many visitors as well as locals. According to the Marsh Harbour Police Department, there were about 3,000 people present.

Ms Levaughn Cooper of BTO Chicago escorted Ms Angie Sievers, District Sales Manager of MLT Vacations, to Abaco on 30th July for two days. MLT Vacations will resume their Minneapolis/Nassau charter service commencing January 1999. MLT Winter Vacations is adding St Louis MO as a new getaway and Abaco as a new destination. They had an opportunity to see all of the hotels that they intend to use in this programme, which includes Abaco Beach, Abaco Inn, Bluff House, Green Turtle Club and Banyan Beach Resort.

The Disney Magic inaugural trip arrived at Castaway Cay on 2nd August at 6.30 am. The 2,200 passengers included Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and Mrs Ingraham, Minister of Transport James Knowles, and Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Mr Albert Miller. A selected number of locals attended: Senator Michael Bethel, MP Robert Sweeting, MOT's Sherry Parker, Radio Abaco, Bahamas Customs, Abaco's Post Mistress and several councillors. The post office on Castaway Cay was officially opened by Prime Minister Ingraham. Also present were Hon James Knowles and the President of Disney Cruise Lines. Passengers began disembarking at 8.30 am and the ship departed at 4 pm.

Mr John Henton, Trade Relations Manager of British Airways, visited Abaco on 3rd August. While in Abaco he had an opportunity to see Hope Town and Marsh Harbour.

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