FORT LAUDERDALE, FL –April 1 – The Islands Of The Bahamas is known globally as one of the top boating destinations in the western hemisphere. Moreover, recent statistics reveal that over the past three years there has been an increase of more than 60 percent in the number of boaters to The Bahamas.
Commenting on the impressive figures at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Director General, Joy Jibrilu, said that the increase is “just the beginning or the tip of the iceberg” and added, “We are all behind this and all over this to do everything we can to continue to grow this business.”
The Palm Beach Boat Show took place March 28th - 31st at downtown West Palm Beach waterfront, and featured more than $1.2 billion worth of yachts and accessories, including hundreds of boats ranging from 8-foot inflatables to super yachts near 300 ft in length.
“Coming here and seeing a boat show of this magnitude, (and) getting to see firsthand, not just all the companies that are here, but the boats that range from the leisure boats to the mega yachts, also, the volume of people coming in and talking business and doing business is just phenomenal,” the Director General said, adding that with the most beautiful waters in the world, coupled with its proximity to Florida, The Bahamas is poised to take full advantage.
“The beauty of this type of business is that when these yachts come to The Bahamas, they come with a crew, they stay in port, they buy provisions, they pay for people to come in and service and clean. The trickle-down impact is far reaching,” the Director General said.
Captain Richard Treco with boaters
The Sr. Manager led the team from The Bahamas Tourist Office representing the destination at the show. The country was also represented however, by many of its Resort and Marina Partners, some with exhibit booths on display throughout the show.
DG with Superyacht Assoc
DG with ABM Bd
The Director General was also introduced to and met briefly with local Bahamas boating partners including members of Florida’s Super Yachts community, who shared boating interests and concerns.
The DG took the opportunity to thank the group for all of their business to The Bahamas, expressed delight at the partnership and vowed to work even more closely with all concerned to continue to make boating to The Bahamas as easy as possible.
“This has been a wonderful experience, my first boat show, but definitely won’t be the last,” the Director General said.
For more information on The Bahamas, visit us at www.bahamas.com.
For more information on Boating in The Bahamas, contact Richard Treco at 954-236-9292 or email rtreco@bahamas.com
For information on the Association of Bahamas Marinas, visit https://bahamasmarinas.com/cruising/boating-flingsslips/