Minister of Investments Khaalis Rolle says that he expects Baha Mar and other large developments to bolster the Bahamian economy in 2014. Watch an interview with Rolle here.
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Junkanoo is a street parade with music which occurs in many towns across The Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Day. (Photo via Wiki)

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Ministry of Tourism, Prime Minister Perry Christie has declared 2014 as the Year of Culture since culture is so prevalent in tourism offerings.

The Ministry of Tourism will commence the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Promotion of Tourism Act in a national service of thanksgiving tomorrow.

Established by an Act of Parliament, the Promotion of Tourism Act gave birth to the modern Ministry of Tourism. The act came into force in 1964, replacing the Tourism Development Board as the principle promotional and branding agency for The Bahamas.

The Promotion of Tourism Act provided for the appointment of a Minister of Tourism, a corporate structure and a budget with the mandate to aggressively promote tourism internationally. This new strategy is credited with catapulting The Bahamas from a mere winter destination to international prominence as one of the premier year-round tourism destinations in the world.

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Bloomberg TV anchor Adam Johnson (pictured) is a featured speaker at Bahamas Financial Service Board’s (BFSB’s) 2014 International Business & Finance Summit (IBFS), scheduled for January 23-26 at Sandals Emerald Bay, Exuma.

Johnson will speak to the power of innovative and creative thinking in growing and sustaining business, and how strategic management of innovation has to be a part of corporate strategy. He will showcase examples of diverse types of business operations where this has proven to be the case.

BFSB chief executive officer Aliya Allen notes: “IBFS 2014, under the theme ‘Survival of the Fittest,’ will explore how The Bahamas continues to evolve as a preeminent international centre for business and finance, adapting to the ever-changing regulatory environment as necessary. It will look also at changes on the financial horizon, and showcase the best practices and strategies for success adopted by this jurisdiction.”

In an annual end of year message, Bank of The Bahamas managing director Paul McWeeney has assured customers and 4,000-plus shareholders that the bank has a robust capital position matched by adherence to “sound banking principles that are consistently tested and validated by internal and external authorities to ensure the highest standards of prudence.”

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Grand Bahama is set to benefit greatly through its exemption from value added tax, according to GB Port Authority honorary chairman Sir Jack Hayward. Watch a ZNS Network news report here.
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Dec. 2013 (TeleGeography.com) — The UK’s Virgin Group has expressed an interest in offering wireless services in the Bahamas once the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC’s) monopoly on the mobile market expires in April 2014. The Nassau Guardian quotes PM Perry Christie as saying that Virgin has formally approached the government regarding a possible launch in the Bahamas, although no comment was made on whether the would-be provider planned to function as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) as it does elsewhere in the region, or as a fully-fledged network operator.

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This is an excerpt from TeleGeography as it appeared on December 23, 2013. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

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The Tourism Today promotional channel of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism as posted online a Seasons Greetings message. Watch the video here.
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Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, Xie Hangsheng (left), and Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell exchange gifts. (BIS photo/Derek Smith)

“Through the signing of this agreement, our tourism industry which is the cornerstone of this nation’s economy will be strengthened. With this agreement, The Bahamas will join North America, Europe and Australia as one of the top destinations for over 70 million Chinese tourists who frequently travel internationally. Additionally, Bahamians who travel frequently to China for business and tourism opportunities will now be more easily facilitated,” Minister Mitchell stated.

He along with China’s Vice Foreign Minister, Xie Hangsheng, signed the agreement during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs December 19. Government officials including permanent secretary Philip Miller and a Chinese delegation witnessed the event. The agreement allows Bahamian and Chinese nationals to travel un-restricted without a visa for up to 30 days.

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The Villas at Grand Isle, Located on the Pristine Shores of Emerald Bay in Exuma, Announces Last Phase of Development and New Reciprocity Program for Owners. (Photo via Grand Isle Resort and Spa)

EXUMA, Bahamas, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Villas at Grand Isle, located on the pristine shores of Emerald Bay in Exuma, announced today that they are seventy percent sold out and heading into their last phase. The whole ownership development is one of the most luxurious real estate resorts in the Bahamas, providing owners with a home in one of the most desired locations in the world. Celebrities like David Copperfield, Johnny Depp, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have purchased islands close to Grand Isle.

“We are heading into our last phase of the development, which is completed and only have thirty percent of our Villas left for purchase,” says Grant Castle, Executive Director of Grand Isle Resort & Spa. “Our team has worked diligently to ensure our owners have an extraordinary experience the minute they step on the island.”

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“We are proud that this project was completed on-time and within budget with a Bahamian contractor and Bahamian labor.”

Nassau, Bahamas. December 18, 2013 (PRWEB)––Breezes Resort & Spa – Bahamas opened the Banana Boat, its new nautical themed restaurant. The hotel team members were the first to dine in the new restaurant, a day ahead of opening the restaurant to in-house guests, while their dining room received a facelift.

The new restaurant is the latest upgrade to the beachfront Nassau resort, which recently completed a refurbishment of its 400 guest rooms and suites and adding free in-room and property-wide Wi-Fi.

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