FREEPORT, Grand Bahamaﾖ Tourism officials announced Wednesday that Freeport will be next yearﾴs host of the 2nd annual National Tourism Conference and the 9th annual Cacique Awards.
This the first time Freeport will play host to the events.
The Tourism Conference will be held January 26 ﾖ 28 at the Westin at Our Lucaya and the Cacique Awards will held at the Camelot Room of the Royal Oasis Resort.
Deputy Director of Tourism David Johnson told reporters that, ﾓThe staging of this important conference in Grand Bahama demonstrates the strategic importance of this island to continued success of tourism and hospitality in the Bahamas.
ﾓIt also recognizes the valuable contributions of Grand Bahama to the repository of ideas needed to strengthen and improve the vital tourism industry.ﾒ
Mr. Johnson made the announcement during a press conference at the Westin at Our Lucaya.
He pointed out that, ﾓThe First National Tourism Conference was addressed by almost 50 of the leading thinkers in Business, Hospitality, Culture, and Administration. ﾠAt this Second Annual Conference, similar numbers can be expected. ﾠ
ﾓWe also expect equally sound ideas to come from this yearﾴs slate of speakers, who will be selected, based on present tourism needs and the wealth of knowledge and experience of each speaker.ﾒ
According to Mr. Johnson, Grand Bahamians will get the opportunity to showcase the island and communicate their talents to the rest of the country during next yearﾴs events.
He said, ﾓIt was decided a year ago that the National Tourism Conference would be capped off with the Cacique Awards, where we honour the best performers in the industry.
ﾓThe Cacique Awards is the most important evening on the tourism calendar. ﾠThe awards ceremony is the foremost occasion for honouring the hard workers in the industry who have emerged as our brightest stars.ﾒ
Mr. Johnson noted that Grand Bahamians typically have a strong showing at the Cacique Awards, and are usually among the finalists at the prestigious event.
In addition to showing off the talents of Grand Bahamians, Mr. Johnson pointed out the National Tourism Conference will cater to the minds of the islandﾴs high school students by way of a Career Fair.
ﾓ[The fair] will be held to inform students of the many jobs and career paths available in tourism,ﾒ he said. ﾓScores of Grand Bahamas students will have the opportunity to learn about rewarding careers and the qualifications they will need to fulfill their dreams.ﾒ
Nominations are now open for categories in the 9th annual Cacique Awards.
Sharon Williams, The Bahama Journal
