The Bahamas Wins Gold Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Groundbreaking Bimini Tourism Activation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Bahamas Wins Gold Travel Weekly Magellan Award for Groundbreaking Bimini Tourism Activation
International recognition celebrates innovative destination storytelling,
strategic partnerships and seamless air access to Bimini
NASSAU, Bahamas (22nd October 2026) – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has received a prestigious Gold Travel Weekly Magellan Award for its innovative experiential activation, “A Taste of The Bahamas: Exclusive Influencer Seaplane Day Trip to Bimini.”
Presented annually by Travel Weekly, the Magellan Awards recognise excellence in design, marketing and service across major sectors of the global travel industry, including hospitality, destinations, cruise lines, online travel services, airlines and airports, travel agencies, tour operators and ground transportation.
The award winning activation marked a historic milestone during the 25th anniversary of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival® (SOBEWFF®), becoming the festival’s first international destination extension. In partnership with Tropic Ocean Airways and Resorts World Bimini, the Ministry led a curated group of prominent lifestyle and culinary influencers on a 25 minute seaplane journey from South Florida directly to Bimini.
The exclusive day trip immersed guests in the island’s distinctive character through authentic Bahamian cuisine, vibrant cultural experiences and luxury offerings. The initiative demonstrated how strategic partnerships with major international events can introduce The Bahamas to new audiences, strengthen destination storytelling and highlight the ease of travel between South Florida and Bimini.
Jackson Weech, Director General of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, underscored the significance of the international recognition and the role of strategic partnerships in advancing destination marketing.
“This Gold Magellan Award is a proud achievement for The Bahamas and reflects our continued commitment to innovation and excellence in destination marketing,” he said. “By extending one of the world’s premier culinary festivals beyond its traditional setting and into Bimini, we demonstrated the power of strategic partnerships to introduce international audiences to the authentic experiences, rich culture and natural beauty that distinguish our islands.
“The success of this initiative also highlights the importance of accessibility in strengthening our tourism product. Through our partnerships with Tropic Ocean Airways and Resorts World Bimini, complemented by American Airlines’ direct service between Miami and Bimini, we continue to demonstrate the opportunities that enhanced connectivity creates for our islands. This recognition is a shared achievement that reflects the dedication of our industry partners, tourism stakeholders and the Bahamian people, who remain at the heart of our success.”
The Gold Magellan Award further strengthens The Bahamas’ position as a leader in destination marketing and experiential travel. It also highlights the potential of innovative partnerships to showcase the archipelago of 700 islands and cays to audiences worldwide.
The Magellan Awards are judged by a panel of accomplished travel industry professionals. Entries are assessed independently against Travel Weekly’s established standard of excellence, rather than against one another. A category may recognise multiple winners or no winner.
For more information about tourism experiences in The Bahamas and travel to Bimini, visit www.bahamas.com.
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About The Bahamas:
The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, as well as 16 unique island destinations. Located only 50 miles off the coast of Florida, it offers a quick and easy way for travellers to escape their everyday. The island nation also boasts world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth's most spectacular beaches for families, couples and adventurers to explore. See why It's Better in The Bahamas at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok
Media Contacts:
Rissie Demeritte
Director, Global Communications
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
rdemeritte@bahamas.com
Bahamas USA
FINN Bahamas
Bahamasusa@finnpartners.com