Global Sales Missions Brings A Taste Of The Bahamas To Orlando

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ORLANDO, UNITED STATES – Tourism officials and stakeholders filled the Four Seasons Resort Orlando’s Convention Center, all offering a variety of options in one destination.

Amid a significant downturn in travel, stakeholders sought it necessary to take a taste of The Bahamas to travelers, extending outside of New Providence. Being said, the Abaco Beach Resort seeks to sell the destination that resiliently bounced back from the twin disasters of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marketing Director at the Abaco Beach Resort, Brent Ingraham told us that the island has something different to offer, adding that the ease of getting from Orlando to Marsh Harbour makes it an ideal option.

“Most persons are very familiar with Nassau, Atlantis, Nassau Paradise Island, but to know that there are other options available, we want to showcase what the Abacos have to offer. We know that we are different, very authentic, very unique, [and] we like to say that we are the true island, authentic Bahamian experience,” Symonette said.

However, if the island experience of the Abacos doesn’t suit travelers’ needs, there’s an all-inclusive option at Sandals in New Providence.

One representative told us that events like this one always bring results.

Swa Winkler – North Florida Business Developer Manager, Sandals and Beaches Resorts

“It reawakens that attention, [and] it’s one of those things where it’s like “oh my gosh”, I haven’t been to The Bahamas in years or “oh my gosh”, I didn’t know that Abaco had that or I didn’t know that an all-inclusive resort was located in Nassau.”

“I didn’t know that Global Entry or TSA pre-check are available in Nassau, so it’s a lot of enlightenment when coming to these events, so it’s very important,” Winkler said.

Out of the 11.2 million visitors that came to the Bahamian shores in 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper says the bulk of them came from or through Florida.

Additionally, more than 58 percent of guests from Florida are returning visitors, a testament to the destination’s importance.

“Therefore, it’s important for us to ensure that our partners in Florida understand the possibilities of connectivity, so we have a large cruise market…and therefore we are also focused on increasing our stopover guests,” Cooper said.

Attendees also got a taste of the Bahamas with unique cuisine, and entertainment.

Cooper says the shows are an avenue to advise guests of new developments, places to visit and islands for them to visit.

“What we are seeing is that people are booking more impulsively now, the booking windows have generally shortened. What this means is that people are making decisions on the fly, and it’s good to be able to take a 25-minute flight after you have made that decision.”

“You can make that decision at lunchtime and be in place for your dinner meeting that same day. So this is a benefit and advantage that many of our competitors don’t have, [and] can’t boast of,” Cooper said.