National

National Eco-Tour Operators Co-operative Ltd, 10 Years of Success

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – NETO Bahamas was founded out of necessity when small Grand Bahama tour operators needed to pool resources to access the tourism market. Now the company is celebrating ten years of success in the industry.

Published

7 months ago

February 11, 2026

Megan Shepherd

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – NETO Bahamas, formally known as the National Eco-Tour Operators Co-Operative Ltd., was founded out of necessity when small Grand Bahama tour operators needed to pool resources to access the tourism market.

President Rudy Sawyer says the cruise industry’s insurance requirements forced small operators to find a collective solution.

Rudy Sawyer, President, National Eco-Tour Operators Co-Operative
“This was a matter of survival. We had to come together to make it affordable.”

Since its inception, the co-operative has expanded across the islands, helping small operators benefit from rising tourism numbers.

Sawyer points to major developments, including Disney’s project in Eleuthera, as evidence of the group’s success.

He says while tourism growth is positive, its benefits are not always evenly felt.