Bubba Gump Conch, Radio Man and six tourism experts in Abaco

With summer boating season in full swing, this week’s broadcast from Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour could not have been more timely. Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast set a new show record with six terrific guests jampacked into only one hour.

Our lead guest, Abaco Beach Resort's general manager Bob Kramm, set the stage by describing the amenities, superb dining, entertainment, and diversions to be found at this established boaters' landmark. Harbour Master Chris Higgs then gave the details of their first class marina. How large of a vessel can they handle, what are the controlling depths to the channel, and what level of commitment to customer service does his staff have? Hear it from the man himself.

The name Kevie Thomas is known by hundreds of Treasure Coast sportfishing enthusiasts. Gary and Kevie had a blast reconnecting with boat names and Treasure Coast personalities that have spent time at Abaco Beach Resort over the years either “fun fishing” or competing in world class tournaments. You WILL recognize many of these names. As a matter of fact, one section of their marina was referred to from time to time as “Stuart Place”!

What were guest co-host Ed Griffith’s first impressions of Abaco? Well, Ed has been around the block a few times. By his descriptions, you might want to book a trip to the out-islands soon. The second half of the show was dedicated to island activities such as diving, ecology, the Bahamas National Trust and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Keith Rogers, owner of Dive Abaco!, enthusiastically shared his love of Abaco as a supreme diving mecca. He even shared his “secret find” called Independence Reef and told us all why it's such a special dive.

The Bahamian people care about their environment and the stewardship of their natural resources. Guest Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Director of the Bahamas National Trust, eloquently explained how the Bahamian government ensures these resources are protected for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. What’s the latest effort? How about a Training Program for Guides for Birding Tours. To wrap things up, Wynsome Ferguson, manager of the Abaco Ministry of Tourism Office, gave listeners some very interesting news…how about a “Companions Fly Free” program!!! Wynsome agreed that with all interested tourism stakeholders working together, both within the U.S. and the Bahamas, everyone benefits.

Thanks are in order for the staff from Abaco Beach Resort from the Talkin' Tourism crew. Special thanks to Bob Kramm, GM, Simon Parr, Resort Engineer, and Everette Coakley, Director of Food and Beverage, for making our stay so special. A big thank you to Coastal Angler Magazine for assisting with the airlift to Abaco via Yellow Air Taxi - we had a smooth, easy trip.

A side note regarding guest co-host Ed Griffith…his new island name is “Bubba Gump Conch”. Next time you see him…ask why.

Another great broadcast with spectacular guests and loads of useful information…enjoy the show!

Update: Wynsome Ferguson, manager of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism office in Abaco, added to Friday's show

A sixth guest with some serious knowledge about the Bahamian tourism market will be on hand Friday for Talkin' Tourism's 10 a.m. live broadcast from Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour.

Wynsome Ferguson, manager of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism office in Marsh Harbour in Abaco, will take the mike with host Gary Guertin and guest co-host Ed Griffith this Friday for the special live remote show. Wynsome oversees day-to-day operations at the Ministry of Tourism office, and has supervised events like Junkanoo Summer Festival, Abaco Christmas Festival and Regatta Time in Abaco.

Welcome aboard, Wynsome! A big thanks for coming on the show!

NEWS RELEASE: Abaco in the Bahamas is next tropical stop Friday, May 7 for Talkin' Tourism

STUART, FL (May 3, 2010)--Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is cozying up at Abaco Beach Resort and Marina in the Bahamas for a live broadcast on Friday, May 7 which will continue stirring up travel interest between Florida and its island neighbors to the east.

The hour-long live show featuring host Gary Guertin and special guest host Ed Griffith will air at 10 a.m. E.S.T. on WPSL 1590 AM. A panel of five prominent Bahamian tourism personalities plans to join Guertin and Griffith on air for a lively discussion about the Bahamian and Florida markets, and their cross-promotion efforts.

Abaco Beach Resort and Marina’s Chief Operating Officer/General Manager Bob Kramm, Rooms Director Kevie Thomas and Harbour Master Chris Higgs will all take the mike to talk about what their islands and resort have to offer. Lynn Gape, executive director of The Bahamas National Trust, and Keith Rogers of Dive Abaco will also help round out the hour of banter and tourism tidbits.

The May 7 show continues a Talkin’ Tourism tradition of crossing the Gulf Stream to broadcast. The weekly talk radio show has made the rounds through the islands, airing live from Bimini, Grand Bahama, and Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas, and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands throughout the last year.

Talkin’ Tourism airs every Friday on WPSL 1590 AM from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The show is produced by Harborage Yacht Club & Marina.

National Marina Day tomorrow!

Listeners and blog followers....hope you can stop by the National Marina Day celebration at Harborage Yacht Club & Marina (955 N.W. Flagler Avenue, Stuart, FL 34994) tomorrow. Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast will be doing a special Saturday show under the Roosevelt Bridge tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and say "hello" to Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors.

And, don't forget to register for a 3-Night/4-Day Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour Stay for Two, including dockage and room tax, at the FLAHAMA booth.

Bring the kids! Free water-taxi shuttle from the City of Stuart docks to Harborage Yacht Club. Food, fun, and so much more!

Questions? Call Harborage Yacht Club & Marina at (772) 692-4000.

Read the Palm Beach Post story on National Marina Day HERE.

Bahamas update and Martin County introduces new tourism segments: Agri-tourism and Industrial-tourism

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin shared with listeners today some of his "experiences" at the Abaco Beach Resort at Boat Harbour last weekend, including the hospitality of Bob Kramm, Michael Choiniere and the entire Abaco Beach Resort staff, as well as Captain Marvin Steiding, a former Pirates Cove Resort & Marina charter operator, who took Gary and a group to Hope Town and Great Guana Cay aboard the Reel Candy.

From there, Gary and his co-host Robin Hicks-Connors, introduced Allon Fish, the CEO and executive director of the Indiantown Chamber of Commerce. He described in good detail the fact that at this time there is really only one hotel, the Seminole Inn, in western Martin County. He discussed the Dupuis Reserve and that folks are lobbying FPL to open up Barley Barber, which contains a one-mile boardwalk running through a cypress swamp of large bald cypress, red maples, and cabbage palms. Also discussed was the Indiantown rodeo, and Bike Fest scheduled for Sunday, March 29 (expected to draw 4,000 people).

Other highlights:

• Western Martin County has "Agri-tourism." OJ doesn't grow on trees in half-gallon containers. Folks can learn more about the citrus and cattle industries in Indiantown.

• Indiantown International Airport has the longest grass strip in the country.

• Lots of new construction and building in Indiantown is going to lead to "industrial-tourism." Housing, restaurants and other services are are needed to support the new FPL Solar Plan, a new Florida gas line, and the remodeling of two schools.

• The history of the Martin County Fair was discussed. The first fair 50 years ago drew 7,500 people; this year's fair is expected to draw 70,000.

As soon as the audio file for today's show is available, it'll be posted here for your listening pleasure!

To view shots from the Abaco trip click HERE.