All hands on deck for The Bahamas!

Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin, MOB manager Shamine Johnson
Port Lucaya Marina manager Karen Pinder, Ft. Lauderdale
Bahamas Tourist Office general manager Earl Millier,
Out Island Promotion Board president Shamine Johnson,
Out Islands Promotion Board senior director of marketing
Valery Brown-Alce, and consultant to the Bimini Big Game Club/
Guy Harvey Outpost Resort Chris Pollock.

There can be no doubt after broadcasting LIVE from the 52nd Annual Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show that marine tourism is alive and well. As has been the mantra since the show went on the air, the fact that the Islands of the Bahamas are so close to South Florida and the Treasure Coast that what happens on one side of the Gulf Stream impacts marine tourism on the other side. 

Here are a few boat show facts that illustrate the impact and size of this show:  (1) there were are total of 1,800 boats on display; (2) the total value of boats and accessories on display was 3 billion dollars; (3) estimated attendance was projected at 150,000. Yes, marine tourism and boating are BIG business and The Islands of the Bahamas, with over 100,000 square miles pristine boating waters are hoping to capitalize on this segment of the tourism industry. 

Jeanne Gibson from the Bahamas Tourism Office
capturing the show on film!

It was our pleasure to have a number of the key players in the Bahamas tourism industry on the show. All are leaders in the promotion of the vertical markets of fishing, boating diving and outdoor pursuits. Sitting in as guest co-host was Earl Miller, the general manager of the Ft. Lauderdale Bahamas Tourist Office. A veteran of the marine tourism industry, Earl shared his thoughts on how the Bahamas is focused on enhancing the boater experience. Also, providing great insights as to why you should visit the Out Islands were Valery Brown-Alce, a senior director of marketing for the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, and Chavonne Darville, the president of the Out Island Promotion Board. Shamine Johnson, manager of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB), explained how the private sector is doing their part to assist the Ministry in this effort. 

Representing individual properties were Chris Pollock, consultant to the Bimini Big Game Club/Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Karen Pinder, manager of Grand Bahama's Port Lucaya Marina. 

And, as a side note, one Flahama friend we met, who didn't appear on the show, was Sandra "Sandy" Davis. Sandy is a a travel writer and photographer and earlier this year released an iPhone and iPad app—Bahamas Bliss: Bimini. If a trip to Bimini is in your future, or if you've ever dreamed of visiting Bimini, this is an app you'll want to check out. Sandy is working on her second Bahamas app—this one for Abaco.

Special co-host Earl Miller and Talkin' Tourism host
Gary Guertin are all smiles during the broadcast.

Our Bahamian (and Flahamian) guests really pulled out all the stops on this show. So, listeners, if you are inclined to seek a Bahamas boating get away, download last week's Talkin' Tourism audio file (Show 145 / October 28) and listen in on all The Bahamas is doing to give you a top notch experience. 

Special thanks and a shout-out to Bahia Mar Beach Resort and Yachting Center for accommodating our live remote. We had a great time and look forward to returning to the show again next year!

Coming to you LIVE from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

This week's show, LIVE from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

This year will mark the largest contingent of Bahamian hoteliers and marina operators ever to represent the country in a boat show. Other Bahamian organizations represented will be The Bahamas Out Island Promotions Board and the Marina Operators of The Bahamas. 

With the Islands of The Bahamas so close to South Florida, any efforts to improve marine tourism in the Bahamas impacts marine tourism in South Florida. The vast majority of boaters from all over the U.S. headed to the Bahamas pass through South Florida either upon departure or arrival back into the U.S.— meaning enhanced marine tourism for Florida. 

The Islands of The Bahamas is serious about cultivating and enhancing the marine tourism segment of its tourism product. The attractive specials that will be offered to show attendees were crafted following an expansive survey by The Bahamas Tourism Office. The findings of the survey plainly identified the type of incentive that would draw and motivate boaters to continue to visit The Bahamas. 

Confirmed guests for Friday's show include Earl Miller, General Manager Bahamas Tourist Office, Valery Brown, Sr. Director of Marketing, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, Stephen Kappeler, President, Marina Operators of the Bahamas, Chavonne Darville, President, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board and a host of other Talkin' Tourism friends.

This show is definitely one Flahamians everywhere should not miss. See you Friday morning beginning at 10:05 a.m.. If on the Treasure Coast or Grand Bahama, tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM; if elsewhere, point your computer's Internet browser to www.wpsltv.com. 

Talkin’ Tourism tries to never miss a chance to be where the action is and this week we have definitely found the action. The 52nd annual Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, one of the largest boat shows in the world, begins this week (Thursday) and Talkin’ Tourism will be right in the thick of things! 

Broadcasting live from the media room at the Bahia Mar Hotel and Resort, this week’s edition will focus on the strong and vital marine connection between Florida and The Bahamas. 

According to Earl Miller, General Manager of The Bahamas Tourist Office in Plantation, Florida, “Our team has been working tirelessly towards the show and we are looking to garner maximum exposure and visibility towards luring more boats to the Bahamas. Boating is one of the most lucrative markets for The Bahamas and feeds all areas of the nation, especially the Out Islands."

Greenways, 'Vision' for Grand Bahama and Educational Tourism

You never know what you are going to learn whether listening to the show or hosting the show! Curious about the East Coast Greenway project, we were thrilled that East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano was able to appear as a guest, and did we learn a lot!

Stretching nearly 3,000 miles from the Canadian border to Key West, Florida, the East Coast Greenway has been in development for nearly 20 years and is still going strong. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, Florida will contain the longest stretch when the project is fully completed. 

Proponents of the project have validated the Greenway’s economic contributions to tourism and have witnessed its popularity in the areas where the Greenway has been completed. Treasure Coast community and political leaders have been very supportive in assuring that this “urban Appalachian Trail” is a part of the Treasure Coast community’s fabric.

After "trail" talk, discussion moved on over to the Islands of The Bahamas. Understandably, airlift to an island destination is critical to its tourism product. An island does not live by the cruise industry alone! Call in guest, Bill Maloney, the director of business development for Vision Airlines, had a treasure chest of information about Vision Airline's new scheduled service to Freeport, Grand Bahama. 

It has been some time since such airlift was available to Grand Bahama from key U.S. market hubs. Vision Airline's introductory rates are fantastic and Bill promised that the carrier would provide the best rates and packages available. Such an effort could not have been accomplished without the support and assistance of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. This is terrific news for Grand Bahamians and those wishing to visit this Treasure Coast island neighbor.

Moving on to St. Lucie County, the County's “discovery” of education tourism became the focus. If you missed the discussion, be sure to listen to Talkin' Tourism's Greenways, 'Vision' for Grand Bahama and Educational Tourism show, and find out what it takes to “cash in” on this niche tourism market.

Thanks for tuning in. Join us again on Friday for another fun and informative show—this one live from the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show!