ABACO, Bahamas – Promoting its West Palm Beach, Florida route from Marsh Harbour, Bahamasair hosted several Florida-based travel agents and writers this past weekend to the island.
Travel agents and writers from hotels and tour groups based in West Palm Beach raved about the unique Bahamian experience, calling the island “beautiful,” and an “excellent vacation spot.”
Abaconians seemed to be taking advantage of the route, which reopened on Nov. 16, for shopping and medical reasons more so than Americans and Europeans coming from West Palm Beach. On one flight, 20 persons boarded the plane that seats about 40 passengers.
Bahamasair Station manager in Abaco Patricia Lightbourne said the tour was very important in promoting the island.
“This was a way for us to develop confidence in our service, seeing that we reopened the flight,” said Ms. Lightbourne, who has been stationed in Abaco for seven months.
Additionally, Bahamasair is reintroducing Abaco as a tourist destination, something that Continental Connection and American Eagle has already established.
After the travel agents and writers arrived in Marsh Harbour Friday afternoon, they explored several small cottages in Marsh Harbour and Elbow Cay, including Sunset Point Resort, Lazy Parrot Restaurant and Bar and Bustick Bight Resort.
Sunset Point features an open property with the sunset sitting on the water. Each cottage has its personal view of the crystal bay.
A few of the travel agents and writers just sat near the water or lay in patio chairs, enjoying the view.
As with the Bustick Bight Resort, two of the eight rooms are still under construction. The tiny abode features mostly handcrafted lamps and mirrors.
As with the restaurants, the Sea Spray restaurant received good reviews from the guests. The colourful restaurant served crawfish fettuccini and a seafood platter of grouper, conch and lobster.
Man-O-War Cay known for its boat building also features Albury’s Sail Shop’s and Annie Albury who sews all types of bags by hand.
Radisson Hotel General Manager in West Palm Beach Charles Oswald described Abaco as the excellent get away location.
“This has been an relaxing experience,” said Mr. Oswald, while admitting that not all Americans may be attracted to such a location.
“Abaco is a very quaint, low-keyed and unique place. So, really I would imagine someone who would want to just lay back to stay here, not really those adventurous types,” he admitted.
On the contrary, Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president Michael Albury said the tour was only the first step in promoting the island, like so many second home owners have already done.
Mr. Albury said many of the business and resort owners have renovated and set up website to advertise the island and their businesses.
“Tourism is our life blood. No one knows Abaco like we do,” he said. “We’re hoping can improve our slow season which is between Sept. to mid-Feb.”
All in all, the three-day tour proved to be promising, as Bahamasair, the Chamber of Commerce and Abaconians hope that they had wooed the travel representatives well enough for them to create good reviews for Americans.
BY Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
