The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation hosted a small press trip of U.S. and Canadian editors from top meeting and incentive travel publications to drive increased arrivals from business travelers, from those seeking small teambuilding retreats to large conferences. The Ministry curated an itinerary to visit new meeting spaces in Nassau and Eleuthera, April 9-12. Publications in attendance included: Ignite Magazine, Successful Meetings, Meetings & Incentive and Connect magazine.

“We are so happy to see the continued interest in The Bahamas for business travelers, and the influential publications that reach them in North America,” said Joy Jibrilu, Director General at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. “It’s important that we continue to find ways to raise awareness for the destination as a top meeting and incentive travel destination, whether it’s to enjoy our world-class golf courses and award-winning resorts in Nassau, or experience top notch fishing, diving and pink sand beaches in the Out Islands at our boutique properties.”

The Ministry curated an itinerary that included site inspections at properties in Nassau and Eleuthera, including Baha Mar and Atlantis Paradise Island, an Edu-Culture experience about the history of Junkanoo, and visits to boutique properties such as the Graycliff hotel, Valentine’s Resort & Marina, and The Cove Eleuthera.

The Ministry of Tourism’s marketing program emphasizes a mix of business and leisure travel, as well as travel that combines a mix of both work and play. The five journalists from top-tier meeting publications were immersed in Bahamian culture, learning not only about meeting spaces but also local restaurants and experiences that groups can enjoy on a visit.

The islands of The Bahamas offer exciting and unique experiences to create group meeting and conference programs that are fun, inspirational, educational and sometimes life-changing.

Meeting participants are attracted by unforgettable experiences, from swimming with pigs and kissing dolphins to dancing at a Junkanoo Festival or diving with colleagues. The Group Destination Services (GDS) team at the Ministry of Tourism provides destination management assistance to both in-bound and locally-based groups, meetings and conferences.