In a strongly-worded statement delivered in The House of Assembly, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said: "For too long we collectively have accepted tacky tourism as the only level to which some sectors of our people could deliver. Over the years we, for the lack of will, have participated as coconspirator in the unacceptable delivery of a low-end product, inconsistent with a high-end destination."
He added. "There are just too many complaints and visitors complain about a number of things, about the harassment, about drug peddling and many, many issues that we must contend with."
Hotel executives have echoed similar concerns, as they have told The Guardian in interviews that guest comment cards chiefly revealed The Bahamas was too expensive a destination, attitudes and services were poor, drugs were being pushed on them, night-time entertainment was lacking, bad roads and stray dogs were a problem, and New Providence was too dirty, particularly in non-tourist areas where many visitors venture on scooters.
Mr Wilchcombe added: "Mr Speaker, if we protect our environment for ourselves and ensure that it remains clean, green and pristine, if we deliver service to each other by demonstrating high levels of professionalism, love and respect for each other, then all those who come to our country will benefit from our pride, our love and from our respect.
"And never, Mr Speaker; should we pretend that as if we don't have difficulties and problems. Whilst we're doing good, we protect the good we're doing and secure its future if we take care of the other issues that we believe can mitigate against our success in the future," he added. However, the tourism minister said he was proud of the country's hair braiders who received very little complaints from guests. Under the ministry's Sales Marketing-Royal-Treatment (SMART) programme, hair braiders have been placed in the classroom. The ministry established SMART in 2003 to train Bahamians on the front line of the industry on guest relations.
In addition, Mr Wilchcombe said Tourism Director General Vernice Walkine had been meeting with tourism police officers so that they would be on one accord with the ministry's plans.
Mr Wilchcombe also used his House address to highlight the country's tourism visitor records. The country has been averaging five million tourists a year for the past two years, some 87 per cent from the United States.
By MINDELL SMALL Guardian Senior Reporter
