Freeport, Grand Bahama - Feb. 24, 2015 - Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe on Friday called for Caribbean nations to get more involved in the tourism trade, and said it’s time for Caribbean nations to look at the region as one - working together they could achieve more.  

The Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini was on Friday addressing delegates and participants attending the 4th Inter-American Development Bank Caribbean Governors Regional Meeting at the Grand Lucayan resort. Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie had officially opened the conclave on Thursday.

Addressing participants as they enjoyed lunch in the Pavilion at Our Lucaya, Mr. Wilchcombe also called on the IDB to play a greater role in the promotion of the tourism in the region.

A native of Grand Bahama, the Tourism Minister described for the delegates the island of Grand Bahama and the city of Freeport noting the fact that the city has been built on both Industry and Tourism, and that Grand Bahama tourism is going through positive transformation with increased airlift and cruise passengers.  

He told the gathering that nationwide, tourism has for some fifty years been the main engine driver of the Bahamian economy with 60 percent of employment opportunities directly related to it.  The World Travel and Tourism Organization states, he said, that Tourism in the number one industry in the world and some 1.3 billion people travel each year.

Further, he said if the Caribbean nations would come together as a region they could do much more in terms of attracting visitors to the various destinations.

He touched on Butch Stewart of Sandals and John Issa of SuperClubs Breezes from Jamaica who have established first class brand names in the region and the world.

The Minister also observed that more can be done in the region to supply food and other items for visitors.

He said he would like to see the Caribbean Tourism Organization have greater representation, and a place on the CARICOM Meetings agenda; and for the IDB to do more to emphasize the importance of toursm to people and countries in the region.   (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)