TourismToday

Balearia Bahamas Express will begin passenger service between Port Everglades, Florida and Freeport Harbour on Friday, December 9, just in time for the Christmas season. Continue Reading

Littering at sea and on beaches continues to be a major challenge for the Islands of The Bahamas as garbage is swept ashore or left behind, spoiling the beauty that attract millions of visitors to the country. Continue Reading

A team of tourism officials toured areas of Abaco on August 30, finding that Hurricane Irene affected resorts to varying degrees but being assured by all property owners that they would quickly recover from flood and wind damage. Continue Reading

The annual Pineapple Festival will experience a transformation this June, as the festival celebrates its 24th anniversary, organizers promised recently.

As the Gregory Town, Eleuthera community prepares for the 24th Pineapple Festival, upgrades are being undertaken to reflect the event’s maturity. As a result, this year’s edition, June 1 – 5, will be the most sophisticated presentation of the festival, said Jacqueline Gibson, acting general manager of the Eleuthera Tourist Office. Continue Reading

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Green Turtle Cay, Abaco has taken the festival experience to a new level with its emphasis on cultural education. The island of 450 residents recently celebrated the 8th Annual Island Roots Heritage Festival, which was created to bring two sister cities together – the New Plymouth settlement in Green Turtle Cay, Abaco and Key West, Florida. Continue Reading

Central Andros High School is rapidly leading the way in hospitality training for students on the island.

In September 2010, the school introduced the three-year START/Lodging Management Programme (LMP) offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association, which prepares students for positions in areas such as the front desk, bell services, reservations, housekeeping and food and beverage. On completion of the programme, participating students will earn the distinction of being Certified Rooms Division Specialist. Continue Reading

Nearly 40 young men from Cat Island made a clear impact on the coastal environment after participating in a beach cleanup that was headed by the National Coastal Awareness Committee (NCAC).

The boys, ages 11 to 16, took pride in working together to address one of the challenges currently facing their community. Like some other islands, Cat Island is grappling with the problem of dumping in the ocean. Garbage from international cargo ships has been washing up on beaches.
Recently, the NCAC joined forces with corporate sponsors and volunteers to assist Cat Island residents, particularly in Bennett’s Harbour and Arthur’s Town. Continue Reading

Bahamians and visitors will strike a major blow for the fight against cancer on Saturday, April 9, when the Ride for Hope is held on Eleuthera.

The Ride for Hope, presented by Odyssey Aviation, is a registered charity that conducts its principal fundraising event in Eleuthera through a massive bike ride. The event is designed for people of all ages and cycling abilities. Continue Reading

Rev. Dr. Charles Saunders receives special recognition in Exuma

The 7th Annual Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival will honor education pioneer and prominent Baptist leader Rev. Dr Charles W. Saunders this March in George Town, Exuma.

Rev. Saunders said that he is delighted be honored in his hometown and by his very own people, who he diligently served over the years. Continue Reading

Four Deep Creek Middle School students have been selected to attend the Plastics Are Forever International Youth Summit. The four students selected are Jovanna Sands of Rock Sound, Moesha Leary of Waterford, Treshae Clarke of Tarpum Bay and Anna McCartney of Tarpum Bay. Continue Reading

Exuma welcomed faster, more convenient air service on Thursday as American Eagle replaced its daily turboprop flights to Exuma with jet service. Continue Reading

Tourism/Hot FM Promotion Continues with Family Reunion being hosted in Nassau, Bahamas

It has been recorded that in 1896 when Miami, FL was chartered as a city, more than 40 (forty) percent of the black population was Bahamian. Against the backdrop of this recorded history of Bahamian migration to Florida, the Communications Department of The Bahamas Tourist Office, in 2009 launched a “Come Home to Your Family,” promotion with Hot 105 FM Radio, Hollywood, Florida.

The winner of the four-month long promotion, Andre McDonald, won ten tickets to take her family to The Bahamas and as a result will travel to Nassau, October 28-31, for a Family Reunion. Continue Reading

The luxury experience of Pink Sands Resort comes to Bahamians at a special discounted rate through December 18, resort executives announced today.

Pink Sands now offers a special resident-only rate of $300 per room, per night (based on double occupancy, plus 24% tax and service), a 35% savings over our regular rates. Continue Reading

(Eleuthera, The Bahamas) – The Ministry of Tourism recently successfully held an historic Branding Strategy Workshop for the island of Eleuthera. It was part of a new initiative, beginning with three top family island destinations – Eleuthera, Exuma and Abaco to market these islands as individual destinations in their own right. 

Click here to read the full story on Eleutheranews.com

Cruise ferry traffic to Grand Bahama Island is up 36 percent in the first seven months of 2010 compared to the same period of 2009, and a dramatic upswing in stopover visitors from the ferries has brought greater revenue to the island. Continue Reading

The Lionfish Smash proved to be a success with over 100 lionfish removed off Bimini’s reefs.

July 28, 2010 – BIMINI, the Bahamas – The Lionfish Smash kicked off its 2nd year with the South Florida Freedivers Club hosted by Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. Five boats totaling 13 free divers weathered the treacherous conditions (seas 6-8 feet and wind upwards to 20 knots) to make this event a true success.

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(Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera) – Two Eleuthera young men are off to Europe proudly sporting the emblems of the Governor’s Harbour Sailing Club (GHSC) and with the proud support of the community.

A small group of friends, family and GHSC members  gathered at Governor’s Harbour airport on Wednesday afternoon, July 14,  to see Justin Pinder, 18 and Kenneth Davis, 15 of the GHSC, begin their exciting trek across The Atlantic  to Lisbon, Portugal as guests of the Lisbon Sailing Club for two weeks, with their chaperones, Mark and Missy Kennedy

Click Here to Read the Full Story at Eleutheranews.com

Abaco, a world class destination has demonstrated over time that it has world class young people. Two of them, are being hailed as custodians of our rich tourism product, because of their successful participation in the 2010 FCCA’s Foundation Children’s Poster Competition. In total, The Bahamas ( Eleuthera, New Providence & Abaco) have won $6,500 in cash prizes and hundreds of dollars in school art supplies, over the years by advancing to the finals or winning either 1st, 2nd or 3rd place positions.

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Cat Island, Bahamas, June 6, 2010…. Drawn to Cat Island by the annual rake N’ Scrape Festival writers for Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, David Herndon and Zachary L. Stovall spent three days recently delving into this island’s rich history.
Developing material for a feature on the island in the widely read magazine, Herndon and Stovall made a bee- line on arrival for the home of Mrs. Minerva Rolle for an interview; She is the oldest female resident of Bennett’s Harbour, the island’s capital, and she regaled them with some “ole time history talk” about what it was like growing up on Cat Island comparing the memories to the changes that have occurred over the years.

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By Mandy Miles – Citizen Staff

How does one apologize to an entire nation? I suppose I could take a few lessons from British Petroleum these days, but without their gigantic advertising budget, this column space will have to suffice for my changed opinion of the Bahamas. Continue Reading

The mysterious beauty of Inagua is set to be revealed in an upcoming issue of The Boston Globe.

Globe writer Patricia Borns spent four days on the island, the third largest of The Islands Of The Bahamas, to capture Inagua’s natural treasures. Inagua is famous for its scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife. It is home to world’s largest colony of breeding West Indian Flamingoes. In addition, it has a large population of wild donkeys, Bahama Parrots and a great number of other bird species. Continue Reading

Sport fishing yacht Sandman emerged as winner of the 2010 Custom Shoot-Out fishing tournament but Harbour Island was the weekend’s biggest winner for hosting the lucrative event. Continue Reading

Chicken catching and clothes hanging have moved beyond being forgotten pieces of the Bahamian cultural past to now become centerpieces of the signature event for Harbour Island – the Briland Backyard Festival. Continue Reading

April 24, 2010 – BIMINI – The new educational, eco-movement directed to teach Bimini’s youth the importance of protecting their island’s environment and conservation, launched on Thursday, April 22 at the Pep Rally. Movement organizers Danielle Dunfee and Lucy Lopez, both employees of Bimini Bay Resort presented the event to students during school hours on Wednesday April 21 to create excitement and hype. Each student was told to do three things for the event: wear green, collect and bring bottles and auto batteries for the recycle drive. “Every single student on island complied with our requests. We collected 14 auto batteries and over 6,000 bottles,” stated Lucy Lopez.

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Disney Cruise Line will roll out the blue carpet to premiere Disney nature’s newest film, “Oceans,” aboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder today. In honor of Earth Day, Disney Cruise Line will make a $3,000 donation on behalf of all guests, cast and crew members to The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt a Coral Reef program, protecting coral reefs in The Bahamas. Continue Reading

Initiative debuts Earth Day and targets island’s youth as earth’s environmental stewards.

April 21, 2010 – BIMINI – A new educational initiative, designed to teach children the importance of protecting their environment, launches on Bimini, Thursday, April 22. Spearheaded by Danielle Dunfee and Lucy Lopez, both Bimini Bay Resort employees, the two are working in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Health Services and Bimini’s Council Commissioner to enlist the island’s three primary schools in the Bimini Eco-Movement. The initiative jump-starts on Earth Day with a pep rally for students, combining environmental awareness games and the crowning of the “Green Homecoming King and Queen.” Continue Reading

Abaco is set to host their 7th Annual Island Roots Heritage Festival, under the theme “Discover the Treasure of our Heritage” in New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay April 30-May 2.
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HR1 radio [Hesse, Germany], launched a ‘Bahamas for Beginners’ sweepstakes which ran for 10 days late March 2010. Listeners followed a Bahamas ‘treasure hunt’ and had the chance to win a vacation to The Bahamas (New Providence & Grand Bahama). 10 Winners were selected, and began their Bahamas experience [with their respective guests] on April 9th in New Providence, and will spend the remainder of their trip [April 13th-16th] on Grand Bahama Island.

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Bahamas Prime Minister views tornado damage at Freeport Container Port and surrounding areas from Keen i Media Ltd on Vimeo.

Freeport, Bahamas – A special reception was held on board the Bahamas Celebration owned by Celebration Cruise Lines on March 24th, 2010.

For the full story and video, click here to visit The Bahamas Weekly.

The People-to-People Unit is working hard to ensure that it meets the Ministry’s mission of creating satisfying vacation experiences for visitors to our islands. They have just completed three (3) Volunteer Training & Recruitment seminars on Eleuthera to introduce new volunteer hosts to the concept of the People-to-People program. These seminars provided the new volunteers with ideas on how to successfully host their guests with a contemporary modern flair that ensured comfort and affordability to the both the visitor and host while reflecting island living. These full spirited workshops were conducted by Mrs. DeAnne Gibson, Assistant Manager of the People-to-People Unit, Ms. Teri Sands, Eleuthera Tourist Office and Mrs. Leslie Pinder Nassau a Nassau based volunteer.

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For the second year, Ohio State University’s Office of Minority Affairs has embarked on their annual Bahamas study abroad [alternative spring break] program on Grand Bahama Island. No, this is not a typical spring break trip. There are rules, and participants are expected to be fully cognitive for the trip’s duration. This trip is the ‘practical’ portion of 2-part course being worth 2 OSU credits by itself (3 including the pre-arrival ‘theory’ portion of the course.) Students will focus on cultural differences based on their respective topics which include health care, education, history, and agriculture among others.

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Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival (18th – 20th) – An exciting time for the whole family. Thursday evening gospel explosion launches the weekend of activities. Renown local and visiting artists such as Simeon Outten, Christian Massive, Al Gibson, Jacqueline Taylor-Smith, Danisha Rolle, Anglican Mass Choir, Samara Adderley and other gospel artists will be performing. Continue Reading

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Hotels Include Complimentary Sailing, Car Rental and Breakfast Daily
NASSAU, Bahamas – Jan. 26, 2010 – Celebrities from Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz to Uma Thurman and Elle McPherson flock to Harbour Island and Eleuthera during the winter months for the kind of warm weather even Los Angeles can’t compete with. Now hotels and resorts on these islands, ranging from properties with waterfront vacation homes featuring private decks to boutique retreats nestled along a picturesque cove, are rolling accommodations, meals and activities into one and offering winter escapes with rates as low as $99 per night. Continue Reading

Bring the whole family to paradise with the winter’s hottest deal

NASSAU, The Bahamas – Jan. 8, 2009 – With the winter chill in full swing and cabin fever setting in, what could be better than a free ticket for a sun-drenched escape?

The Islands Of The Bahamas have just announced the season’s hottest offer – FREE companion airfare to a Bahamas island destination of choice. Travelers who book by March 3rd receive free companion airfare for bookings of four nights, allowing for an inexpensive tropical getaway in the middle of the frosty winter months. Choose from more than 40 participating properties throughout Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the Out Islands, each offering idyllic crystal-clear blue waters and soft white sand. Continue Reading

Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI) will welcome The Hon. T. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; The Hon. Earl D. Deveaux, Minister of Environment; The Hon. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Education; and The Hon. Byran S. Woodside, Minister of State for Lands and Local Government to its upcoming conference on small island sustainability, taking place February 19-21 on Cape Eleuthera. The conference will explore key principles in sustainable development that include managing natural resources and developing policies for conservation and economic development. The ministers will be joined by conference keynote speaker Governor Christine Todd Whitman, former governor of New Jersey and former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. This high level government participation highlights how important public and private partnerships are for islands in The Bahamas. Continue Reading

We are excited to share a feature roundup on The Exumas that just went live on Fodors.com. This piece resulted from a press trip in which Fodors reporter Molly Moker traveled throughout The Exumas gathering information and shooting video. Moker’s round up includes recommendations and video on where to play, from snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto to feeding the swimming pigs, and where to stay, including Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Club Peace & Plenty and Grand Isle Resort & Spa.

To view Moker’s article, visit http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3856.html
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Celebration Cruise Line’s management announced this week that it will be changing the itinerary of the Bahamas Celebration exclusively to Grand Bahama Island. The new itinerary is scheduled to begin on March 15, 2010. The last cruise into Nassau will be March 12, departing out of Nassau on March 14.

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Throughout the month of December, Disney Cruise Line cast and crew members take time out to spread holiday cheer, bringing Disney characters and small gifts to deserving children across The Bahamas and Caribbean. Disney VoluntEARS also join together in supporting annual toy collection programs organized by the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign.
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The Bahamas invite South Floridians to explore their Bahamian heritage

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – November 11, 2009 – We all know there’s no place like home – especially if your home has white and pink sand beaches and turquoise water. With this in mind, The Islands Of The Bahamas have teamed up with WHQT Hot105 FM to invite South Floridians to trace their roots in the sun-drenched 700-island archipelago.
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As a part of the strategic initiatives to bolster the Grand Bahama tourism industry, the Minister of Tourism & Aviation the Honourable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, today confirmed that Treasure Bay Gaming & Resorts will take over operation of the Our Lucaya Casino from Isle of Capri on or before November 23, 2009. Continue Reading

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation became part of an enduring love affair when longtime visitors Dave and Heidi Phelps were honored for almost three decades of visits to the Bahama Islands.

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Individuals wishing to display their swimming talent in competitive swimming will have the opportunity to do so by competing in the 6th Annual Open Water Swim Meet that is scheduled to take place at the Crossing Beach in Marsh Harbour on Saturday, October 3rd.
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This Saturday, September 19th.

Click here to read the full story on www.thebahamasweekly.com

Click the image above to see the flyer for the upcoming Abaco events this fall.

Click to download the latest Tourism Newsletter from Abaco

By Larry Olmsted, Special for USA TODAY

The Out Islands of the Bahamas — the term refers to everything except the Commonwealth’s two most urbanized islands, New Providence and Grand Bahama— are also called the “the Real Bahamas” because of their laid-back feel.

Click here to download a scan. Continue Reading

Eleuthera, The Bahamas – August 20, 2009 – In an effort to support local environmental initiatives and to incorporate sustainability into the guest experience, Cape Eleuthera Resort & Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute (CEI), is pleased to announce the launch of its latest educational tourism program: The Barefoot Classroom.

Click here to download a brochure Continue Reading

Click for more information.

[Dunmore Town, Harbour Island] — Who says that a group of concerned citizens can’t help City Hall? Harbour Island District Council, Philips Electronics, EnergyBahamas and the Bahamas Ministry of Environment are pleased to announce a one-time program during which all local homeowners on Harbour Island can replace their traditional light bulbs with energy-saving, longer-lasting CFL bulbs.   Continue Reading

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Miss Universe contestants in Abacao

Dazzling beauty is the focus of Independence Week in Harbour Island, when Club Seagrapes will be the site for the featured event of July 10, Little Miss and Miss Teen Harbour Island Pageants. Continue Reading

Harbour Island came alive on Friday, June 12^th with the smooth sounds of jazz emanating from under the famous fig tree.  Briefly delayed because of inclement weather, the music festival featured 30 students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Continue Reading

Nassau, Bahamas May 11, 2009 – Now making good on their promise to bring daily flights into Cat Island, SkyBahamas Airlines Ltd., the Bahamian Regional Airline, will be launching the first of its daily flights into New Bight, Cat Island on Tuesday, May 19, 2009. Continue Reading

Click ‘view more’ for networks and showtimes

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The receivers of the Emerald Bay development (the “Project”) announced some
important developments today regarding the status of the receivership and
sale process. Continue Reading

The Bahamas Amateur Surf Association is holding a contest this Sunday, 17th May 2009 in Abaco. Click on the image below to view the flier with all of the details!

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MARSH HARBOUR, Abaco — Public Works and Transport Minister Neko C. Grant and officials from his Ministry signed various contracts to complete the Marsh Harbour International Airport airside project. “It is our intent to enhance the capacity of the Marsh Harbour airport facility to provide quality services to the public,” said Mr Grant during the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Education’s Conference Room last weekend.

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Partners DevelopmentRemarks by Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham
Groundbreaking Ceremony for PGA Village, Old Bight, Cat Island
Cat Island Partners Development
24 April 2009
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You can download the complete PDF article by clicking here.

ABC has posted “behind the scenes” footage from the Scrubs shoot in The Bahamas on abc.com

Click here to watch!

Episode of Award-Winning Sitcom Filmed on the Out Island of Abaco  Set to Air on ABC in April!

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[ESPN] …Anglers launched today in search of the elusive bonefish at the season-opening event of the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by TakeMeFishing.org.”

Click here to read the full article online

The Islands of The Bahamas hosted a press trip last November to Cat Island with The New Jersey Record’s Jerry Luciani, journalist, and Bill Hillermeier, photographer. See the image gallery below!

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The nation’s top economic engine, tourism, got a welcomed boost this week with the opening of a 40-slip marina, coffee shop and upscale restaurant at Romora Bay Club & Resort in Harbour Island.

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[Southern Boating - By Martella Matthews and Risa Merl] The highly anticipated Bahamas Billfish Championship is back, with the first leg starting on Bimini April 14, 2009, from Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. From there, the five-part series takes anglers to the best fishing grounds in the Bahamas, from Eleuthera to the Abacos. Anglers are free to fish all five tournaments, and the cumulative points earned are used to determine the overall Bahamas Billfish champion.

Click here to read the full article online

Some twelve years ago the Ministry saw our communities becoming more dilapidated and unattractive, we thought that if we created an awareness of these negative aspects, and recognize residents who assist with solving these concerns, perhaps one day we will have green and nice looking communities.  Continue Reading

Episode of Award-Winning Sitcom Filmed on the Out Island of Abaco
Set to Air on ABC in April

ABACO, The Bahamas, April 1, 2009 – Wedding bells are ringing at Sacred Heart Hospital and the whole SCRUBS gang is headed to The Islands Of The Bahamas to celebrate.   Viewers can tune into ABC on Wed., April 8, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. to catch the latest episode entitled “My Soul on Fire” and share in the hilarity as the young doctors of SCRUBS journey to Hope Town for a special wedding between two characters…

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[By Fritz Grell] In Florida Sportsman’s April issue, writer Fritz Grell, a frequent visitor to Bahamas waters, gives us a glimpse of his recent trip with friends to Elbow Cay’s Sea Spray marina, where his group targeted snapper, dolphin and marlin. Get the full story, the how-to and where-to, and more pictures, right here.

Click here for the full article.

George Town, Great Exuma – March 3, 2009 – Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma will be holding a Candlelight Dinner on March 28 in the Il Cielo restaurant as part of a novel and fun event that will take place in cities around the world for over 24 hours. Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma will join 35 other sister properties in creating a chain of candlelight dinners circumnavigating the globe.

Click here for the full release.

This tiny Bahamian island is about as far from a tourist hotspot as you can get. But the people who do know it, love it, and keep coming back, year after year.

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Video

via NorthJersey.com

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Fresh on the heels of its inaugural flight launch into Marsh Harbour, Abaco three weeks ago, SkyBahamas, the Bahamian regional airline, introduced residents of Old Bight, Cat Island to its service this past Saturday.

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Bimini Bay’s recent inclusion as a Small Luxury Hotels (SLH) of the World has had more than the obvious branding effects, with its recent addition contributing to a 10 percent boost in bookings over the same year ago period. Continue Reading

“Kids Sea Camp” Features Diving, Snorkeling, Treasure Hunt and More for the Entire Family Continue Reading

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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Singer-songwriter, producer, and outright Superstar, Lenny Kravitz is currently in Eleuthera, with several weeks remaining, working in the most picturesque of locations at Gregory Town, in his new state of the art recording studio dubbed ‘Gregory Town Sound’, recently completed… [eleutheranews.com]

Click here to read the full story

St. Lucie County is the destination for Bahamian officials representing the Ministry of Tourism of Grand Bahama Island and the Islands of the Bahamas. In addition, the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Grand Bahama Island and the Tourism Board of Grand Bahama Island will also be visiting St. Lucie County… Continue Reading

[NYTIMES.COM] There are times in this world when you want to get lost, well and truly out of your head, and find yourself vulnerable and laughing amid real, untrammeled beauty and hardship and life. This feeling comes across some like a fever, and they go to the movies. For others, only serious, difficult travel will do…

Read the full article online