People-to-People: A hit in Andros
By Gladstone Thurstone – Bahamas Information Service
North Andros (March 8, 2009) – A vibrant People-to-People program is sustaining tourism here. Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, it connects visitors with volunteer Bahamian hosts throughout the islands.
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The program is designed to give visitors a genuine taste of Bahamian hospitality and culture in an informal, personal way. Visitors and Bahamians crammed the Coconut Farms Resort here on Friday to celebrate People-to-People. North Andros coconut craft designer Perky Lightbourne, artist Ernest Pratt and Bahamian preserves creator Candice Turnquest were featured.
“People-to-People is essential to us moving forward,” said Benjamin Pratt, Senior Manager, Andros Tourist Office. “It provides a human element to what we want to do in terms of building a tourism industry in North Andros. The local people are very enthusiastic about it.”
The global economic recession has not impacted North Andros as significantly as New Providence and Grand Bahama, where hundreds of workers lost their jobs.
“The interesting thing about Andros is that for the type tourist we have visiting us, they are almost recession proof,” said Mr Pratt. “These are wealthy persons who enjoy fly-fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. We receive thousands of them every year. We do not see any significant reduction in those numbers.”
And, in an effort to attract more domestic tourists, plans are afoot to convert the regatta site at Morgan’s Bluff into a welcome centre and marketplace. From there, artisans, farmers, fisherpersons and other providers of goods and services may ply their wares to passengers arriving and leaving on the nearby ferry service.
“Morgan’s Bluff would serve as a centre at which customers and providers of goods and services would converge to do business, making it a one stop shop,” said Mr Pratt.
Deanne Gibson, Assistant Manager, People-to-People Department, Ministry of Tourism, thanked winter residents for promoting the North Andros destination. She encouraged them to become official members of People-to-People so they can share with others the beauty that North Andros is. The program can be accessed through bahamas.com and volunteers are featured on YouTube. In New Providence, there are up to ten requests each day, she said.
“People-to-People experiences last a lifetime,” said Ms Gibson whose parents helped found the program.
“They are visitors today but friends for life.”
North Andros business woman Daisy Bowleg immediately volunteered. “This is something I would like to be a part of,” she said. “This is great news for tourism here. I believe that as we learn more about People-to-People, more North Androsians would sign up.”
Chief Councilor Brian Cleare was firm that “when it comes to exhibiting true, quality hospitality, Andros, in general, is among the best. “People-to-People is an excellent initiative. We welcome our fellow Bahamians into our homes when they come over for the various festivals, so welcoming guests from around the world is no problem for us.”
Responding to the concerns of guests, the North Andros District Council will undertake a comprehensive clean up of North Andros beaches. As North Andros borders a major shipping lane, rubbish from illegal dumping washes up on the shores.
“That creates a huge problem for us in terms of sustaining clean beaches,” he said. “Presently local government does not have sufficient resources. But we will do the best that we can to maintain a clean, healthy environment.”
