Now it’s even better in The Bahamas

Flanked by two Junkanoo Carnival celebrants are Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s Paul Strachan, director for Canada, Joy Jibrilu, director general and Stephen Johnson, senior manager of business development. Gerald V. Paul photo.
Flanked by two Junkanoo Carnival celebrants are Bahamas Ministry of Tourism’s Paul Strachan, director for Canada, Joy Jibrilu, director general and Stephen Johnson, senior manager of business development. Gerald V. Paul photo.

Eyes had a delectable salmon working lunch with Islands of The Bahamas’ tourism, travel and media professionals thanks to Stephen Johnson, senior manager of business development and his team at the elegant Hyatt Hotel downtown.
Director General of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Joy Jibrilu ably stood in for Obediah Hercules Wilchombe, minister of tourism for The Islands of The Bahamas who had to remain in their Parliament doing the nation’s business.
Jibrilu is passionate about promoting all the Islands of The Bahamas and is looking forward to making The Bahamas a premiere destination.
“We are all concerned about the spread of the Zika virus. Health officials in the Bahamas have moved quickly to put in place preventative measures throughout our islands and have heightened vigilance at our ports of entry. The Bahamas today remains free of the Zika virus,” said Jibrilu, who served as director of the Association of International Schools in Africa.
With her experience as director of investments in the Bahamas Investment Authority Office of the prime minister, responsible for negotiating agreements for major tourist developments, including the $3-billion Baha Mar resort, Jibrilu noted that in 2015 they achieved a seven percent increase in visitor arrivals over 2014.
And don’t forget, Eyesers, April is Carnival time in the Bahamas. After a successful inaugural Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival in April 2015, “We are extending an open invitation to all Canadians to take a break from the cold this April; come down and join in the fun of celebrating Bahamian style.
“Our director of romance shared the exciting news regarding the launch of our Bahamas 16 Weddings invitation here in Canada. This initiative will give 16 lucky couples the opportunity to experience their dream destination wedding in The Islands of The Bahamas and strengthen our position as one of the world’s leading wedding destinations,” said Jibrilu.
Jibrilu, a barrister by profession, glorying in The Bahamas being one of the top warm weather destinations, updated the gathering on some of the exciting developments taking place there.
She said The Bahamas is the “go-to destination” for vacations of all styles and tastes, from a quick getaway for two, to a family time trip or an escape for the adventurous traveler.
As for accommodations? Yes, Eyesers, it’s better yet in The Bahamas! Guests now have a much wider array of accommodations from which to choose.
For instance, in Nassau / Paradise Island, extensive capital expenditures have been committed for expansion and improvement at resorts such as upscale Albany, Atlantis, Sandals Royal Bahamian, and the One and Only Ocean Club.
“In 2017, a new waterfront destination called the Pointe will open in downtown Nassau. The Pointe is a $250-million multi-faceted hotel and residential development which will consist of 110 condo units, a 200-room hotel, movie theatres, retail shops, a performing arts centre, a spa, entertainment venues, at least 14 restaurants and a marina.
“It will revolutionize the physical and social landscape of downtown Nassau, with non-stop entertainment and diverse social activities to our premier city centre,” Jibrilu said.
Air Canada Vacations continues to offer year-round, non-stop flights from Toronto to Nassau and to George Town, Exuma, where the famous swimming pigs of Exuma continue to attract visitors from around the world.
Sunwing offers non-stop and direct flights from eight Canadian gateways including: Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and the newest gateway, Regina. The Regina service will operate in conjunction with the Calgary flight. Service started Feb. 19.
WestJet Vacations continues to offer year-round, non-stop flights from Toronto to Nassau and the only non-stop service from Calgary to Nassau on a seasonal basis.
Jibrilu said, “We hope to continue to see positive numbers from the Canadian market as Canadians discover that It’s Better in The Bahamas!”