Category Archives: Bahamas

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Trump administrations pick for United States ambassador to The Bahamas, Doug Manchester, seemed to speak favourably of the newly elected Minnis administration yesterday, telling the panel at his Senate hearing it really looks bright in The Bahamas.

He said officials stationed at the US Embassy in Nassau, including Charg dAffaires Lisa Johnson, have said this much in his discussions with them.

This was part of his response to a question from Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio who asked Mr Manchester for his position should The Bahamas support waiver regarding its vote at the Organisation of American States (OAS) for democracy in Venezuela.

He said The Bahamas has consistently voted with the US for this cause.

Its a new government down there with a new beginning, Mr Manchester said. I salute their democracy. They have recently had a great election. New people are coming into power according to all of the people that I have talked to, including our charg (daffaires) and our existing embassy staff down there, that it really looks bright and as I said, the greater America becomes the greater benefit itll be for The Bahamas.

During the hearing before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Mr Manchester also insisted he was not anti-gay, as he expressed support for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community. Senator Bob Menendez had pointed to Mr Manchesters previous position regarding this issue, prompting him to state for the record that he was certainly in support (of) gay and lesbian marriage.

In 2008, Mr Manchester donated $125,000 to support a ballot initiative, known as Proposition 8, blocking same-sex marriage in California, according to The New York Times.

The newspaper reported the hotelier donated the money to support the collection of signatures to qualify the initiative, which would amend the states constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage for a vote later in 2008.

Earlier this year, ahead of the May 10 general election, several local pastors petitioned US President Donald Trump to revoke any US executive orders and policies that enable the promotion of same-sex marriages in the Caribbean region as part of its foreign policy.

The clergymen, including Grace Community Church Pastor Lyall Bethell and Pastor Allen R Lee, president of Teleios Theological Training Institute, in a letter to President Trump claimed that in recent years the policies of the US State Department and other government agencies involved in foreign policy have attempted to coerce countries in the Caribbean region into accepting a mistaken version of marriage.

Pointing to former US President Barack Obamas threat last year to pull federal funding from American states over entry to bathroom and locker room access based on gender identity, the pastors claimed this same kind of coercion was being used against Caribbean countries to fall in line with the same-sex marriage agenda.

Pastors Bethel, Lee and other Bahamian clergymen were signatories to a petition dated January 31, 2017, which also bore the names of 289 clergymen from around the region, including those from Trinidad and Tobago.

In response, local, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activist Alexus DMarco said it was with horror and disgust that the LGBTI community learned of the actions of these Christian ministers.

The basis of pastors arguments for the criminalisation of homosexuality and opposition to gay marriage has been dispelled and put to rest by the courts in the United States, she said.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in the United States.

The post of US ambassador to The Bahamas has been vacant since 2011, with the previous nominee Cassandra Q Butts having died as she waited more than two years to be confirmed to the post under the former Obama administration.

Ms Butts, 50, died in May last year, but was nominated for the ambassador post in 2014 by former US President Barack Obama. The confirmation was held up by Republicans in the US Senate.

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Ambassador Pick Says Future Is Bright For The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

By DR MIKE NEVILLE

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will make me go in a corner and cry by myself for hours.

DOMESTIC violence. I am not sure if this is an oxymoron, domestic has a homely, pleasant even tame ring to it, certainly not a word that should sit with violence. It is however inevitable that the emphasis is always on the violence, ranging from nasty words to physical encounters that can even end up in death.

Over the past few decades, there has been an immense amount of work mainly by womens groups that has pushed the issue into the mainstream of concern and crime statistics. The violence, however, continues unabated and there is still a lack of concern from many societies and police forces who view it as a matter to be left to the combatants to sort out. There are many reasons for this, is it an arrestable offence, will the complainant show up in court, lots of paper work and of course it is just domestic.

There are no real statistics as to the level of domestic violence in The Bahamas; we are fed nonsense facts that crime is going down and murder is just bad men killing bad men. The statistics are controlled by the police and even if accurate, a large number of people have given up reporting crime for a variety of reasons.

We do know that three women are killed every day in the USA by a current or former partner. The problem is just as bad in the UK where the police recorded just over one million domestic abuse related cases in one year and the police are reporting that the children exposed to violence in the home are much more likely to be attracted to gang membership.

It gets worse, recent reports have shown the relationship between domestic terrorists and exposure to violence in the home. It makes sense children exposed to violence in the home grow up habituated to violence but terrified to show weakness. These boys with fragile identities are likely to join gangs or terrorist groups who then glorify abuse of women by rape and other violence and the girls become to accept it as the norm.

This is not meant to excuse boys who grow up to be abusers, psychologists regard it as a choice which can be changed. The mens group run by Dr Harry Ferere and the Catholic church has shown remarkable success in helping men who batter women to change their behaviour.

It does however demonstrate a systematic failure of our current efforts to deal with this scourge which is destroying so many lives; perhaps it is time to step back and look at the problem afresh.

The Bahamas is blessed with beautiful turquoise waters and amazing coral reefs. The reef is an ecosystem kept in balance by corals, sponges, seaweed and fish. They all live together in some sort of balance. It is believed that the reefs provide shelter and food for one quarter of all marine life; but they are under threat from global warming and overfishing.

There are so many parts of our lives that are all about balance, diet, exercise our very health needs to be kept in reasonable boundaries for our survival. It may be helpful to see domestic issues in the same way. How can we develop a human ecosystem that lets us co-exist in some sort of harmony?

All relationships have power issues that give a sense of control, it is natural to want to use our power to get what we need; not the same as what we want! This healthy instinct must always recognise the needs of others in the relationship, finding ways to teach about power and control in relationships from an early age should lead to mutual dependence in relationships.

The present societal acceptance of inappropriate male behaviour which glorifies violence, aggression and dominance; accompanied by the reality that they will get clean away with their disgusting behaviour is extremely worrisome for the future. There is also increasing power imbalances in relationships where women are getting a better education and doing better in the job market despite the country voting twice against equality between the sexes. The problems of childhood abuse have also left many adults with shame, low self-esteem, fear of rejection and a lack of assertiveness. This then leaves them open to abusive relationships.

There needs to be a cultural shift towards shared power, a move away from aggression and learnt passivity to relationships that respect assertiveness which always respects the needs of others in our quest to control our own lives.

Dr Mike Neville is a forensic psychiatrist who has practised for more than 40 years in The Bahamas, working at Sandilands, the prison and in private practice. Comments and responses to mneville@tribunemedia.net

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Mental Health Of The Nation: Domestic Violence In The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

Doug Manchester, ambassadorial nominee for The Bahamas.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE $2.1bn Chinese fishing proposal for Andros, which placed the former Progressive Liberal Party government in the line of fierce criticism, took centre stage during the United States ambassador to the Bahamas confirmation hearing with nominee for the post Doug Manchester saying more US investment is needed in this country.

During the United States Committee on Foreign Relations hearing, Chairman Marco Rubio, Republican Florida senator, pointed to the issue as without doubt concerning because of Floridas proximity to The Bahamas.

Mr Rubio said if The Bahamas ever leased its waters to the Chinese it would negatively impact US-Bahamas relations.

He asked whether Mr Manchester had given any thought to how he would approach this situation should it arise if he is successful in securing the diplomatic post.

Mr Manchester said: I really do believe that the presence of Homeland Security and our Coast Guard off the shore and all of what were doing to protect The Bahamas really needs to be continually emphasised to the Bahamian government, even though China has in fact made a significant economic contribution to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the form of hotels (and) resorts.

We just need to encourage more business from America to be there.

He also said: I already had talks with people in regards to the University of The Bahama(s) and I think there is no reason why we cant have a medical school there.

I believe with a medical school down there we could in fact encourage some medical instrumentation to be manufactured there and to do everything we possibly can to allow for Americas interests to be appreciated and as a result of being appreciated, certainly protecting our rights with regards to fishing and other security issues.

Last November, the PLP was heavily criticised after reports the former Christie administration gave the green light to its embassy in Beijing to pursue talks of a fishing and agriculture partnership with China.

In response, then Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries V Alfred Gray at the time said there was no way, under any circumstance, that the government would give foreigners, no matter who they are, a licence to fish in The Bahamas. However he also admitted to giving The Bahamas ambassador to China permission to have the discussions.

The controversial proposal reportedly projected a $2.1bn injection into the local economy over ten years through an equal partnership between The Bahamas and the Peoples Republic of China.

According to earlier reports, the proposed partnership further entailed the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale. The proposal also reportedly included the option to lease 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.

During the height of the controversy, Mr Gray said he never spoke with any Chinese and simply gave the Bahamian Ambassador to China Paul Andy Gomez permission to discuss investments.

Despite the denials from the government, the report prompted Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, who was then in opposition, to criticise then Prime Minister Perry Christie for his deafening silence on the matter.

It was not the first time he raised concern on this issue. Last July, while speaking at a rally at Christie Park, Dr Minnis said the government was negotiating with the Chinese for 10,500 acres of land in Andros.

Dr Minnis also alleged the proposal was part of the secret deal Mr Christie negotiated with the Chinese to remobilise the Baha Mar resort.

In November 2016, Mr Christie criticised Dr Minnis for emotionally exploiting Bahamians anxiety over Chinese investment.

In Parliament, Mr Christie revealed that the previous FNM administration held talks with the Peoples Republic of China and private Chinese companies through the Bahamas State Investment Administration Bureau for projects and co-operatives, which included Crown land acquisition.

However, he stopped short of tabling the documents to support this, and instead invited Dr Minnis to review the files so that he could be informed without having to make it into some ridicule of a nation.

As for the $2.1bn Chinese proposal, Mr Christie also said last November that if such a proposal had ever come before his Cabinet, it would have been rejected outright.

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'Bahamas Needs Us, Not China' - Bahamas Tribune

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews and David Bakhtiari train during the offseason in Southern California, where there are beaches, golf courses and sunshine galore. Davante Adams is more a Nebraska kind of guy.

Lincoln, Nebraska, might not have the scenery and attractions that his Green Bay Packers teammates find out West, but to Adams, a Northern California native, spending days at a time in Middle America is worth it because it's home to -- in his opinion -- one of the best receivers coaches in the country.

Adams spent part of his summer vacation -- before he took an actual vacation to the Bahamas -- in Lincoln working with his longtime coach, Keith Williams, who is now on the University of Nebraska staff.

"He is definitely dedicated," said Williams, who was Adams' first collegiate receivers coach, at Fresno State. "He's a smart player, and he understands what makes him successful."

It paid off last year when Adams' breakout season included career highs in catches (75), yards (997) and touchdowns (12), and he wasn't about to stop there.

And Adams doesn't mind that he has to go Nebraska to do it. "I'm sure a lot of people would," he said. "But then they'll say people don't take their craft serious. It makes you focus on what you're doing.

"You've got to do what you've got to do to take that next step, and if I feel like that's where a really good wideout coach is and I'm going to be around a lot of guys that are focused, that's where I need to be."

Adams' Instagram account offered a glimpse of the workouts Williams put him through.

It's the kind of work they've been doing since Williams recruited Adams out of Palo Alto, California. Adams has followed Williams around the country, whether it was to New Orleans, when he coached at Tulane, or to Lincoln the past two years, to get in extra work on his craft in the offseason.

This is an important season for Adams to prove that last year -- and not his injury-filled, disappointing 2015 -- was the new normal. He's entering the final year of his contract, and another season like 2016 could make him one of the top receivers eligible for free agency next offseason -- if the Packers don't extend his contract before he gets there.

Even though Adams missed the 1,000-yard mark by nine feet, he became one of the focal points for quarterback Aaron Rodgers last season. So far in training camp, that hasn't changed. Rodgers and Adams have connected on several big plays, including one of the longest completions of camp, a 60-yard touchdown on the first day.

In addition to his workouts with Williams, Adams went to work on his body this offseason. He said he weighed in at 206 pounds at the start of training camp. That's about six pounds lighter than he played at last season and 14 pounds less than what he was 16 months ago at the start of the 2016 offseason program.

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"More than anything, I got leaner, and it's showed in more definition of my body," Adams said. "I feel amazing running routes."

Adams has made multiple trips to Nebraska, but he wanted one last session with Williams right after the Packers minicamp ended in mid-June.

Among those who also worked out with Adams and Williams was Packers rookie receiver Malachi Dupre, the seventh-round pick from LSU. Williams first met Dupre when he was trying to recruit him to Tulane. Williams also has worked with Baltimore Ravens receiver Mike Wallace and Kansas City Chiefs receiver De'Anthony Thomas, among others. He posted on Twitter about one workout with Adams, Dupre and Washington Redskins receiver Ryan Grant.

"Coach [Mike] Riley and everyone involved have opened their arms to all the guys," Williams said. "It's a real comfortable environment, and it's relaxing."

Almost like Southern California.

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Nebraska before the Bahamas: Davante Adams goes distance to work out - ESPN (blog)

President Trump's nominee to become U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas said in a Senate hearingWednesdaythat the British Commonwealth realm is "for all intents and purposes" a protectorate of the United States.

As a British Commonwealth realm, the Bahamas is a sovereign state that shares a head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, with the United Kingdom and 14 other nations.

Sen. Bob MenendezRobert MenendezTrump admin not opposed to new war authorization Bipartisan group, Netflix actress back bill for American Latino Museum The Mideast-focused Senate letter we need to see MORE (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned Doug Manchester, Trump's nominee for the position, on his views about the archipelago's territorial status.

"Well certainly, for all intents and purposes, we believe that it is a protectorate," replied Manchester, who was a major fundraiser for President Trump's campaign.

Manchester then explained that he based his view off of the presence of Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security officers in the island nation.

"We are obviously working with the Royal Bahamian Police Force, which we want to continue to support, who are doing a great job in the interdiction of human trafficking and drugs and also gunrunning," Manchester added.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force is the national law enforcement agency of the Bahamas.

Manchester, a well-known San Diego businessman, was an early supporter of Trump, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Originally posted here:

Ambassador nominee: Bahamas a US protectorate 'for all intents ... - The Hill

Nicholls Sports Information

The Nicholls State University men's basketball team is leaving today for three games against three semi-professional clubs at Sir Kendall Isaacs Gym in Nassau, Bahamas.

Any time you can take a foreign tour it is a huge opportunity for your team, Nicholls coach Richie Riley said. We have a lot of new faces that will be playing together for the first time, so it is certainly a bonus for them to get the chance to compete together. I'm proud of the way that our guys have approached the practices leading up to the tour. They have had a business-like approach each day and a commitment to improving.

The squad will face the Bahamas All Stars at 7 p.m. Friday, IBA Elite at 4 p.m. Sunday and the NPBA All Stars at 8 p.m. Monday. College basketball teams are allowed preseason international trips once every four years.

The Colonels boast an experienced 2017-18 roster with 10 seniors and two juniors. Of those 12, Kimani Jackson, Maurice OField, Daniel Regis, Legend Robertin, Zaquavian Smith and Jeremy Verhangen join the team as newcomers.

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Colonels heading to Bahamas for overseas tour - Daily Comet - Daily Comet

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Team Bahamas teed off yesterday in the 2017 Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships hosted at The Links Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic.

The CAGC is the region's premier event, played both as an individual stroke play event and as a country team competition with the Hoerman Cup for the men, the George Teale Trophy for the ladies and also The Arthur Ziadie Trophy (men and ladies combined team scores).

Richard Gibson, Devaughn Robinson, Oren Butler, Steven Kemp, Paul Tsavoussis and Lynford Miller comprise the men's team while the ladies' team is Taneka Sandiford and Ignacia Rolle.

Sandiford is currently tied for sixth place after she shot an opening day 80 (+9) while Rolle is tied at No.11 with her round of 84 (+13). Valeria Pacheco of Puerto Rico and Yae Eun Kim of the Dominican Republic top the leaderboard at 75 (+4).

Gibson was the top performer for the Bahamas among the men, with an opening round 73 (+2). Butler and Robinson were both two strokes behind at 75 (+4) and tied for 14th while Kemp shot 79 (+8) to tie for 27th, Tsavoussis was tied for 31st at 80 (+9) and Miller shot 84 (+13) for 42nd place.

Tsavoussis will be the first of the group to tee off this morning alongside Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands (CAY) and Sachin Kumar of Trinidad and Tobago (TT). Kemp follows with Liam Bryden (TT) and Lucas Hernandez of the Dominican Republic (DR) at 7:50 am. Gibson follows at 8:10 am grouped with Sam Avey (TT) and Dawn Bispham of Barbados (BAR). Miller also tees off at 8:10 am with Jonathan Millen (TT) and Simon Proverbs (BAR). Butler tees off at 8:40am with Clint Alfred (TT) and Xzavier Wiggins (BAR) while Rolle will is grouped with James Johnson (BAR) and Jonathan Newnham of Jamaica.

Sandiford will begin round two at 9:00am, grouped with Ysabelle Lawrence (TT) and Alyssa Inniss-Gittens (BAR) while Rolle, also with a 9:00 am start, is grouped with Karina Sanchez (DR) and Yeji Lee (TT).

The Bahamas hosted the 2016 event at the Ocean Club resort, Paradise Island.

Out of a field of eight teams in the men's division, the Bahamas' Hoerman Cup team finished seventh with a total of 1,222.

Seven teams participated in the ladies' division with the Bahamas finishing sixth with 655.

The Dominican Republic rallied on the final day to surge ahead of Puerto Rico for the Hoerman Cup.

Puerto Rico, however, held onto the Teale Cup and emerged as the winner of the Arthur Ziadie Trophy.

The rest is here:

Richard Gibson Leads Team Bahamas At Cagc - Bahamas Tribune

Penn State's foreign tour to the Bahamas won't just be about soaking up the sun in paradise.

The Nittany Lions will get a head start on the 2017-18 season from Aug. 4-11, when they take part in three exhibition games as part of their first international trip since 2013.

While a great opportunity for teammates to bond and have some fun, Pat Chambers, who enters his 7th year at the helm of Penn State, will undoubtedly also look to use the tour as a business trip as the Nittany Lions look to secure their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.

This trip is exactly what we need at this point, Chambers told GoPSUSports in May. It will give us the opportunity to work on our chemistry and culture with many new faces. We can reinforce good habits and get a good look at what we need to work on heading into the season. Hopefully we will be ahead of the curve a little bit.

The NCAA permits programs to take an international tour for exhibition games once every four years. The last tour four years ago saw the Nittany Lions travel to Belgium, France and England.

Led by D.J. Newbill and Tim Frazier, that season saw Penn State reach its only postseason berth to date under Chambers.

The exhibitions will allow new faces to get up to speed on live game action and better gel with their teammates.

"I'm looking forward to just seeing how we compete," rising sophomore Lamar Stevens said. "With a new group of freshmen in, just seeing how they mix in with the rest of the group. Overall just going out there and having the experience with my brothers, I'm excited for it all."

Satchel Pierce, who sat out last season after transferring in from Virginia Tech, will make his unofficial debut for the Nittany Lions.

Pierce's physical development caught the eye of several teammates in practices during his redshirt season and that has carried over into summer workouts.

"He's been getting his body right," Reaves said. "He's been in better shape. He's lifting better. It's a good sign to see that he's out here and he really wants to get better. He's willing to compete and do whatever it takes."

In addition to getting his body into better game shape, Pierce's physicality and presence has also translated well on the court.

His 7-foot, 266-pound frame towers over all of his teammates, even fellow big men Julian Moore and Mike Watkins.

"Satchel is a really big but skilled center," Reaves said. "His footwork, his touch from 15-feet, he's so versatile. His screens are just ridiculous; it absolutely sucks to get around him on defense."

Joining Pierce in making their first appearances for Penn State are freshmen Trent Buttrick, John Harrar, and Jamari Wheeler.

Despite being the new kids on the block, the trio has impressed rising sophomore Tony Carr with their work-ethic and attitude.

"They've put their stamp on things since day one," Carr said. "The level of intensity and work-ethic that they have is impressive."

In addition to getting some game experience, the trip will also afford Reaves the chance to work on something a little more personal.

The Oak Hill Academy product said he has a big fear of heights and water, something he'll have to overcome with the plane ride to the Bahamas and the time the team spends on the beach near their temporary home at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.

"I'm not a big fan of swimming. Even worse with heights," Reaves said. "So obviously I'm not really a fan of airplanes. I'm going to try and fall asleep before takeoff and hopefully I wake up when we're landing."

Unlike Reaves, Carr and Stevens said they can't wait for the opportunity to hit up the beach when they're not busy with on court duties.

"I'm excited to get my tan on out there," Carr said jokingly. "The beautiful weather. It'll be a good opportunity to take a step back from everything and at the end of the day give us a chance to bond as teammates and become closer."

"Yeah, I'm getting ready for my tan too," Stevens joked.

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Penn State men's basketball looking forward to trip to the Bahamas - The Daily Collegian Online

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Bahamas, August 2, 2017 Nassau A Government employee, Verification Command Center has been established to confirm the roughly 22,000 government employees across the islands of The Bahamas. The Treasury Department is for the second straight year conducting a verification process, to record who indeed works for government.

The verification notice for Government offices appears to have been leaked to the general public and is dated July 31, 2017 and explains that the process will begin in all islands next week Tuesday August 8ending by August 31st. The circular, confirmed as having come from the Treasury wants these weekly and monthly employed Public Officers and Senators and Members of Parliament to show up at the listed centers with their Bahamian passport, Bahamian drivers license, their National Insurance Smart Card and their voters card.

Overseas Government staff is not exempt from this head count and failure to comply, explains the notice, will result in a salary interruption.There are centers established all across the country, with each site dedicated to an area of Government.

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Bahamas Treasury launches national staff verification, includes MPs & Senators - Magnetic Media (press release)

MIAMI The 4th Annual International Multicultural & Heritage Tourism Summit culminated this past Saturday, July 29, in Miami with a keynote address from the Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Hon. Dionisio DAguilar.

During his keynote address, he recognized the importance of the African American Market and proposes initiatives to penetrate that niche.

Hon. Dionisio DAguilar

The summit was designed to educate attendees on how to gain a share in the $90 Billion+ Multicultural & Heritage Tourism market, share minority travel trends and learn how to market the fastest growing segment in the industry, which is Multicultural & Heritage Tourism. It included workshops and panels, some of which included key persons from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of Business Development African American Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, who was also a panelist at the summit, expressed how crucial it is for this market to see the Bahamas presence at such events, as it builds faith in the brand.

This market is very important to our tourism industry because we have a shared affinity for heritage and culture. African-Americans primarily travel in groups for reunions, fraternal, religious, and civic events, conferences and meetings, Johnson said.

Johnson added that the Bahamas is now a member of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and developers ( NABHOOD). NABHOOD provides information about hotel ownership, investing, supplier opportunities and other resources.

The Bahamas is committed to the continued growth of this market and DAguilar alongside his ministry will continue to build mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders, corporate decision makers and leaders in key community based organization such as sororities, fraternities and social clubs.

The Bahamas will also increase advertising in key African American magazines and digital platforms and develop sponsorship and branded special events in key markets in an effort to reach more business and leisure travelers.

Our heightened focus on the African American travel market comes at an opportune time when The Bahamas tourism product is being holistically re-calibrated, overhauled and fine-tuned. There are particularly five areas of product improvement that will make The Bahamas particularly attractive to the African American Market, DAguilar said.

He went on to say, The growth of our tourism business is best achieved through expanding our niche markets. For us, the African American travel market is a highly attractive market segment. The Bahamas has been a choice destination where African Americans have been coming for years, to rest, relax and rejuvenate. We will continue to work on all fronts to maintain a very desirable tourism product and to pay close attention to those areas of our product mix that appeal to the African American market.

The Bahamas has already committed to several key partnerships with the African American community including a media partnership with Black Enterprise, which will host its first offshore event called the Women of Power Weekend Retreat in Bimini in October 2017.

Membership with the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP), participation in the Black Caucus week of events held in Washington D.C. and the partnership with Radio One to reach the African American audience via radio in key markets such as Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Miami/Fort Lauderdale will all continue.

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The Bahamas to increase focus on African American market segment - South Florida Caribbean News