Bahamas Out Island Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jeannie Gibson
Bahamas Tourist Office
954-236-9292
Email: jgibson@bahamas.com

BMOTA, BOIPB and MOB join forces at 2011 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

(October 19, 2011) FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism's boating division based in Florida, The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board and the Marina Operators of The Bahamas will join forces to represent The Islands Of The Bahamas at one of the world's largest boat shows, The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 27th-31st, 2011.

President of The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board (BOIPB), Bahamian Hotelier, Shavonne Darville of Gems at Paradise, Long Island, Bahamas, will head the largest delegation of Bahamian hoteliers ever to represent the country at a boat show. The unprecedented large group of Bahamian entities is set to be the most impressive Bahamas delegation ever to grace the show dubbed "The Big Kahuna," of boat shows.

The large delegation, an expansive and spacious booth, great promotional offers, prizes and give-aways are all part of the grandiose effort that TIOTB has launched this year to ensure the capture of its fair market share of the some 150,000 persons – boaters and members of the public - expected at this mammoth event.

The attractive specials that will be offered to show attendees from Florida, across the nation and around the world, were crafted following an expansive survey by the Bahamas Tourist Office's Vertical team and its local partners. The findings of the survey plainly identified the type of incentive that would draw and motivate boaters to continue to visit The Bahamas and recognize it as an ideal boating destination that features a distinctive appeal, unique and diverse experiences and added value for dollar.

"Our Vertical Markets team, including myself, Richard Treco, Karen Wring and Carlton Sands, have been working tirelessly towards this show and we are looking forward to garnering maximum exposure and visibility towards luring more boaters to our Islands," Earl Miller, General Manager, Vertical Markets said. As the head of the vertical markets, Miller who is responsible for the boating, diving and fishing markets noted that, "boating is one of the most lucrative markets for The Bahamas and feeds all areas of the nation especially the Out Islands."

Adding to Miller's comments, Valery Brown-Alce, Senior Director of Marketing for the BOIPB said that, "This year, The Bahamas Out Islands have seen increases in their visitor population as a result of marketing initiatives including boaters special offers, and therefore members will be attending the boat show enmasse, taking advantage of this momentous opportunity to present new offers to the vast audience that the Fort Lauderdale International Boat show will draw."

The BOIPB will be presenting two key promotions at the show - an offer, of $300 Fuel Credit being extended for participants in any of the member sponsored/hosted Fishing Tournaments (a listing of tournaments can be found at the Board's website); and a $300 Instant Fuel Credit to be offered to boaters whose visit include a 4 nights consecutive hotel stay at one of the Board's member resort and marina. The $300 Instant Fuel Credit for boaters is available now through June 26th, 2012, for travel now through June 30th, 2012 with blackout dates of December 22-31st, 2011, and April 2nd through 6th, 2012. Details including a listing of hotels, resorts and marinas taking part in the promotions, are available by visiting the website www.myoutislands.com.

The Bahamas' premier marketing tools at this event will be the 2012 Bahamas Boating and Fishing Guide. A proven valuable asset at past shows, this year's guide will feature new information including a list of Marina Centers (local Florida Coastal Marinas that partner with BMOTA). Tourism's Boating team is particularly proud of the addition of the map that will be included in the new guide. "A great amount of time and energy was expended by the team towards producing the map which includes a comprehensive list of Marinas throughout The Bahamas with directional information that makes it easier for boaters to plan their course," Miller said.

The Fort Lauderdale Boat show annually draw boating enthusiasts and those in the marine industry from around the world to its shows multiplicity of venues including Bahia Mar Marine Center, The Fort Lauderdale Convention Center, Pier 66 and the Hall of Fame.

About The Islands of The Bahamas

Life in The Islands Of The Bahamas is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful, from the carefree Out Islands to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. With world-class diving and fishing, gorgeous turquoise water and miles of picture perfect beaches the 700 islands of the Bahamas offer visitors the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call: 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from the Bahamas, visit www.eshopbahamas.com.