Holiday Wishes

The cast and crew of Talkin' Tourism send holiday wishes to all our listeners, sponsors, and past show guests, as well as wishes for a prosperous and healthy new year!

A Treasure Coast Tradition---The Stuart Boat Show (and Cruiser Expo)

The Stuart Boat Show and Cruiser Expo cruise into
Stuart January 14-16, 2011.

With unsurpassed waterways, 22 miles of coastline, an inlet leading to the Gulf Stream and a position at the east end of the Cross Florida Canal/Okeechobee Waterway, Martin County is the definitely a boating, fishing and outdoorsman’s paradise.

With the Treasure Coast sailfish tournament season now in full swing, it is only a matter of weeks until the largest boat show south of Annapolis, Maryland sails in to Stuart, Florida. Rick Allen, president of AllSports Productions, the producer of the Marine Industries of the Treasure Coast owned show, is this week’s featured guest. Rick will share with Radio Man and History Lady what makes this 37th year of the Stuart Boat Show so special. With over $100 million in products on display and over 500 boats of every shape and size, this show is one not to miss.

A relatively new feature of the Stuart Boat Show is Cruiser Expo. Based upon the popularity of the cruising lifestyle, Cruiser Expo is the place to be to learn, mix and mingle with others who enjoy the art of cruising. During the course of the three-day weekend, informative seminars and information sharing will cover subjects for both the novice and seasoned skipper. We'll cover all the topics and details on the show. And, if you want more updates on the show, become a fan of the Stuart Boat Show's Facebook page.

It has been one month since History Lady and Radio Man have shared the studio microphones, which means a whole lot of catching up is guaranteed. Robin has big news on the Elliott Museum's Annual Classic Car Show and other great museum exhibits, which you won't want to miss.

As always, there will be Bahamas updates, Treasure Coast happening’s and lots of infotainment.

Join us this Friday at 10:05 a.m.. You can find us on your radio at WPSL 1590 AM or on the Internet at http://www.wpsltv.com.

Old Bahama Bay and Sustainable Tourism

According to Wikipedia, Sustainable Tourism is an industry committed to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate future employment for local people. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development brings a positive experience for the local people, tourism companies and the tourists themselves. This week’s show, hosted by the luxury boutique and marina of Old Bahama Bay and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, was a prime example of sustainable tourism and how the Blue Flag Programme plays a role to ensure the sustainability of Bahamian ocean and coastal environments and how participating destinations are making a positive impact on local communities.

Sustainable Tourism General Manager Earlston McPhee explained the essential elements of the program, citing Old Bahama Bay’s commitment to the environment by being the first marina in the Bahamas to achieve the certification. Most importantly, Old Bahama Bay has retained its certification every year since being first certified.

Old Bahama Bay General Manager Jackie Carroll gave listeners all of the key points that make Old Bahama Bay a boaters paradise. Are you looking for a great get-away that is not “too far away?" Then check out the great packages Jackie described for the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And after the holidays, consider an air-inclusive Grand Bahama Island package. You can find details here. And, here is a Talkin’ Tourism “Insiders’ Tip," the food is wonderful and the guest rooms are absolutely fabulous!
Special guest co-host Harold Rolle, a lifelong West Ender, shared interesting personal perspectives on Old Bahama Bay’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism and its positive impact on the residents of West End, Grand Bahama. Very proud of the fact that West End is called the “Home of Hospitality," Harold explained his passion for the tourism industry and the benefits to the island and the country.

And, last but not least, Raul Miranda, the tournament coordinator of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship, gave a brief rundown on the first leg of the championship, which was occuring at the time of our radio show.

Special thanks to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Tourism Office, Discovery Cruise Line, Old Bahama Bay and M&K Car Rentals for being special sponsors of the show. Also, special thanks to Old Bahama Bay Operations Manager Nathan Moody for ensuring all the technology was in place (and working) to accommodate the live remote!

If you missed the show, you can download the audio file HERE. And to see photos from the show, from around Grand Bahama, and aboard the Discovery Sun, check out the slide show below.

Last, a link to an actual video of the show, will be posted in a day or two for your viewing and listening pleasure, so be sure to check back soon!

This week, LIVE from Old Bahama Bay!

Talkin’ Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast (and Beyond!) is once again focused on the “beyond” as the team crosses the Gulf Stream to Grand Bahama Island to bring you a show live from Old Bahama Bay, located at West End, on Grand Bahama Island.

With over 700 islands and cays and 100,000 square miles of pristine ocean and coastal environments, the Bahamian government knows that if the marine environment degrades so does their tourism industry. The Sustainable Tourism Division of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is responsible for helping to insure the protection of Bahamian waters and is the administrator of the Blue Flag Programme. Similar to the Clean Marina Program in the U.S., the Blue Flag Programme provides criteria and standards to guide those responsible for marinas, beaches and individual boater education.

Old Bahama Bay is a certified Blue Flag Marina. On all our live remotes, we always try to highlight the Treasure Coast connection. Here it is---located 68 nautical miles, West End, Grand Bahama is the closest marina to the Treasure Coast area for our Treasure Coast boaters to clear Bahamas Customs & Immigration.

Sustainable Tourism general manager Earlston McPhee will join the Talkin’ Tourism Team to explain in more detail the importance of this certification. Old Bahama Bay director of operations Nathan Moody, and other representatives of this beautiful resort, will describe in full detail the amenities and attributes of this world-class facility. Adding a little “local flavor” (literally) will be Tony “Macaroni” Hanna, Cacique Award Winner and owner/operator of Tony Macaroni’s World Famous Conch Experience. Who knows? Perhaps Tony will bring some of his tasty roast conch or conch salad. Yum!

An added bonus for this week's show is the first leg of the Bahamas Wahoo Championship is being held at Old Bahama Bay during the time we are there, so we’ll update you on the catches and progress of the tournament!!! Wahoooooo!!!!

See you from Grand Bahama Island this Friday morning!