BHTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS & MEMBERS MEETINGS 2018
In 2018, The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association continued to gather industry stakeholders throughout the year to report on; and discuss matters of critical importance to the Tourism Industry. BHTA Members meet to network with fellow executives, and to glean important industry relevant information including; past performance statistics, future performance outlook as it pertains to occupancy levels, annual daily rates, and airlift. Stakeholders from both the private and public sector often give infrastructure updates; and provide insight into new proposed developments. Each Board of Directors and Members Meeting hosts a minimum of one “Keynote Speaker” who will speak on topics of interest.
In 2018 the BHTA hosted Mrs. Joy Jibrilu, Director General of Tourism, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. The Director General spoke of “Creating a World Class Bahamas”.
Following the Director Generals remarks at the first BHTA Board of Directors and Members meeting of the year in February 2018m, The Honorable T. Brent Symonette, M.P. Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, Ministry of Financial Services, Commonwealth of The Bahamas gave a keynote speech on ““How the Ministry of Financial Service, Trade and Industry and Immigration can Impact and Improve Doing Business in the Tourism Industry”.
Further in the year Permanent Secretary (NAME) of the Ministry of National Security addressed members on the topic of crime and safety in The Bahamas, and the role they played in the Tourism Industry.
In August 2018; The Hon. Thomas Desmond Banniste, Minister of Public Works, Member of Parliament (FNM), Carmichael, New Providence addressed members on the Topic “ Short, Medium and Long Term Goals to address the cost and reliability of electricity and other important infrastructure/ product improvement plans for the Bahamas”.
In addition to the industry reports and Keynote Speakers, the BHTA meetings often serves to
recognize performers in industry such as the National Culinary Team and CH Recognition of 2017 National Culinary Team and CHTAEF and Pat Bain 2018 Scholarship Recipients.
In 2019, the BOD and Members Meetings will continue to be a source of information and an opportunity to network with fellow industry stakeholders, and to learn about industry performance, trends and forecasts.
THE BAHAMAS & THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas has re-engaged its efforts to become a member of the WTO. Their aim is to complete requisite procedures in 2019 in advance of the next ministerial conference which is scheduled for June 2020. The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association has been engaged in discussions with relevant stakeholders re the topic of the Bahamas’ ascension, most recently meeting in October 2018 with the lead negotiator Zhivargo Laing and members of the negotiating team from the Ministry of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration. The BHTA also attended the varying stakeholder sessions, alongside industry partners in the summer of 2018.
The BHTA has expressed the following sentiments pertaining to the impact of the Bahamas’ ascension to WTO.
Bahamian manufacturers, particularly those MSME’s who produce Bahamian made products, jams, jellies, jewelry, art, crafts, carvings and other items reflective of Bahamian culture and customs cannot be adversely affected by the Bahamas’ ascension to WTO. Given the realities of the cost of doing business, and the benefits of economies of scale, which are not able to be leveraged in small island nations, local MSME’s must be protected to ensure that we are able to maintain, and enhance Bahamian entrepreneurship, ownership and subsequently the diversification and strengthening of our economy.
The Government must work to develop a Revenue Neutral fiscal strategy when considering the reallocation of government revenue lost post WTO ascension. Bahamian businesses cannot be expected to bear the burden of addition fees, taxes to mitigate the revenue lost from duties and other cross border tariffs, levies etc., particularly in the face of the increase in VAT, the exorbitant, rising cost of energy etc.
The BHTA will continue to liaise and communicate with members, and the cadre of micro, small and medium sized enterprises; “Tru Tru Bahamian entrepreneurs in an effort to achieve common goals.
CLIMATE SMART & SUSTAINABLE TOURISM/DISASTER READINESS
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association helped to gather industry stakeholders to collectively participate in a number of workshops hosted by local and regional industry partners including The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (BMOT); The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
Workshops in late September and early October 2018 focused on the subjects such as Sustainable Tourism and Climate Responsiveness, Disaster Risk Management and other climate smart sustainable tourism topics.
The series of workshops started with “The Bahamas Sustainable Tourism Consultation Workshop” where presentations were made on “Sustainable Tourism and Climate Responsiveness: The Bahamas Experience” by Earlston McPhee, CTO Sustainable Tourism Technical Committee Representative for The Bahamas and Director, office of the Minister, Ministry of Tourism, and culminated in a disaster management training workshop for industry stakeholders in both the public and private sector, which included a “Train the Trainer Certificate” for all participants.
Following this series of workshops, the BHTA participated in The Caribbean Tourism Organizations “Sustainable Caribbean Tourism Industry (CSSCTI) Project” workshop where tourism stakeholders were trained and sensitized on project deliverables, such as the updated Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework and Disaster Risk Management Manual for the Tourism Sector. The two-day interaction included presentations by thematic experts and consultants who shared knowledge, best practices and provided practical training aimed at capacity-enhancement of participants in climate smart sustainable tourism topics.
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association met with the recently appointed Chairman of Bahamas Power and Light, Dr. Donovan Moxey and other BPL representatives to discuss the very important issue of “cost and supply of electricity in The Bahamas”. Nassau, Family Island, small, medium and large-sized properties; and other tourism related organizations were represented by attendees at the meeting held at BPL headquarters on December 3rd 2018.
The overarching aim of the meeting was to discuss BPL’s outlook for the future cost and supply of electricity, to provide insight into the unique requirements of the tourism industry; and to examine potential collaborative measures which could be deployed in the short, mid and long-term to address the cost and supply of electricity; which at it’s escalating rate was exacerbating an already high cost of operations for businesses in the Bahamas.
The energy-related challenges are shared by a diverse range of tourism dependent organizations. Small family-owned businesses, medium and large sized properties, both in New Providence and throughout the Family Islands continue to face similar challenges; a mounting bottom line expense which by and large, exceeds even the most generous forecasted budget expectation. The financial
ramifications of an unabated rise in electricity cost poses common threats; for some, substantive revenue erosion threatens their ability to cover basic operation costs and their ability to expand, pay salaries, spend funds on training, essential product improvement, sales and marketing etc.
Furthermore, an erratic supply of electricity, i.e. brown outs and black outs; translates into additional costs for properties who must rely on redundant power facilities, and/or if assets are damaged or degraded due to power issues. Finally; and this rings true particularly for businesses where redundant power is not available, the loss of power hinders the operator’s ability to service a tourism market which, for the most part, has no concept of unstable power, and who ill-tolerates such issues arising during their high-cost vacation. The BHTA will continue to work collaboratively with the respective private and public sector representatives to address the grave issues of cost and supply of energy in The Bahamas
BHTA Hotel & Allied Members:
ALLIED MEMBERS
American Eagle-Envoy
Arawak Imports Ltd.
Arawak Port Development Limited (ADPL)
Ardastra Gardens
Avis Rent-A-Car
Bahama Islands Resorts & Casinos Co-operative
Bahamas Experience
Bahamas Food Services
Bahamas Hotel Employers Assoc.
Bahamas Petroleum Company
Bahamas Realty Limited
Bahamas Waste
Bahamas Wholesale Agency (BWA)
Bahamasair
Bahamia Rental
Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co.
Bank of the Bahamas International
Basden Elevators
Bedford Baker
Benelda.com
Blue Illusions Limited
BOIPB
British Airways PLC
Burns House - Commonwealth Brewery
Cable Beach Manor
Cable Beach Resort Association
Cacique International
Caribbean Bottling Co.
Caribbean Hospitality Management Consultants
Caribbean Island Concierge Ltd.
Carter Marketing
Cheryl’s Bahamas Taxi and Tours
CIBC First Caribbean International Bank
Clear Solution Plus
Cole Ins. Agents & Brokers Limited
Commonwealth Building Supply
D’Albenas Agency Ltd.
Deloitte & Touche
Dolphin Encounters
Downtown Nassau Partnership Limited
Dupuch Publications
El Shaddai Party Rentals & Supplies Ltd.
Equilibrium Events Inc
Exclusive Island Tours Limited
Festival Rum Bahamas
Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited
Freeport Harbour Company
Fun Foods Wholesale
GBITB
Glinton Sweeting
Graphite Engineering Ltd.
Green Systems Limited
Gunite Pools
H. Forbes Charter Co. Ltd.
Harbour Safaris Ltd.
Hertz
Hospitality Marketing & Management
Island Destination Services Ltd.
Island Human Resources
Island Sun Tours Ltd.
Island Wholesale Ltd.
J.S. Johnson & Co. Ltd.
Jet Blue
John Watling’s Distillery
Johnson Bros. DBA Little Switzerland
KPMG
Leisure Travel & Tours
Luciano’s of Chicago Restaurant Ltd.
Majestic Tours
Mandara Spa
Milo B. Butler
Ministry of Tourism
MMT Alternative Energy Solutions
My Own Water Sports Ltd.
Nassau Airport Development Company
Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
OMG Bahamas Ltd.
Palm Cay
Pearl Investment Management Group Ltd
Physio Care Ltd.
Pirate Republic Brewing Company
PITDA
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Pure Salt Design
Purity Bakery
Q-Tech Communications
Quencom
Reel Dreams Sport Fishing Charters
Ridge Enterprises Ltd.
Royal Bank of Canada/RBC FINCO
Rum Cay Media Group Ltd.
Sandyport Development Company Limited
Serena Williams Media & Public Relations
SIDDA Communications
Sigmatex Lanier Textiles
Sky Bahamas Airlines Limited
SMG Bahamas
Smith Orloff & Assoc
Southwest Airlines
SportsArt Fitness America
Standard Textile
Stuart Cove’s Aqua Adventures
Sunryse Information Management
Sunsplash Events Ltd.
The University of The Bahamas - CHIMI
Tristar Insurance Agents & Brokers
Tropic Ocean Airways
Tru Bahamian Food Tours
Turning Point - Consultants
Underwater Explorers Society
UWI Centre For Hotel & Tourism
Management
Whittingham Design Consultants Ltd
Zamar Productions
HOTEL MEMBERS
Abaco Beach Resort
Abaco Inn
Atlantis Paradise Island Resort
Bay View Suites Paradise Island
Bell Channel Inn
Bimini Big Game Club
Blue Marlin Cove Condominium & Marina
British Colonial Hilton
Caerula Mar Club
Cape Santa Maria
Carriearl Boutique Hotel
Castaway Resort & Suites
Casuarinas
Club Peace & Plenty
Comfort Suites
Conch Inn Hotel & Marina Ltd.
Coral Sands Hotel
Embrace Resort
Fernandez Bay Village
Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar
Grand Isle Resort & Spa
Grand Lucayan
Graycliff Hotel
Green Turtle Club
Hawk’s Nest Resort & Marina
Hideaways at Palm Bay
Hopetown Harbour Lodge
LandShark Dive Resort
Lyford Cay Club
Melia Nassau Beach Resort
Ocean West Boutique Hotel
Old Bahama Bay
Orange Creek Inn
Orange Hill Beach Inn
Paradise Harbour Club & Marina
Paradise Island Beach Club
Pelican Bay Lucaya
Pigeon Cay Beach Club
Resorts World Bimini Bay
Romora Bay
Rosewood at Baha Mar
Runaway Hill
Sammy T’s Resort
Sandals Emerald Bay
Sandals Royal Bahamian
Sky Beach Club Resort
SLS LUX at Baha Mar
Small Hope Bay Lodge
Stella Maris Inn
Sunrise Beach Club And Villas
Sunshine Paradise
Swains Cay Bonefish Resort
The Abaco Club RC, Ltd.
The Four Seasons Ocean Club
Tiamo Resorts
Treasure Cay Hotel & Resort
Valentines Resort & Marina
Viva Wyndham Club Fortuna
Staff Photos:
Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association
2018 Leadership Team & Staff EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
CARLTON RUSSELL
Vice President of Operations
Atlantis Paradise Island
P.O. Box N-4777
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 363-2000 Ext. 69213
Fax: (242) 363 -2964
Email: carlton.russell@atlantisparadise.com
Immediate Past President
STUART BOWE
Sr. Vice President
Atlantis Paradise Island
P.O. Box N-4777
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 363-3000
Fax: (242) 363-3703
Email: stuart.bowe@atlantisparadise.com
Senior Vice President
DEAN SPYCHALLA
Managing Director
Valentine’s Residences Resort & Marina Harbour Island, Bahamas
P. O. Box: 1
Tel: (242) 333-1303
Fax: (242) 333-1399
Email: dean@valentinesresort.com
Treasurer
JAMAL GLOVER
General Manager
Bay View Village
Paradise Island, Bahamas
P. O. Box: SS-6308
Paradise Island, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 363-2555
Email: jglover@bwbayviewsuites.com
Corporate Secretary & Executive Vice President
SUZANNE PATTUSCH
P.O. Box N-7799
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 322-8381
Fax: (242) 502-4221
Email: spattusch@BahamasHotels.org
Vice President – Nassau-Paradise Island VACANT
Vice President – Out Islands
JEREMY MUTTON
General Manager
Sandals Emerald Bay, Exuma
P. O. Box: F-42654
Exuma, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 336-6800
Email: jmutton@grp.sandals.com
Vice President – Grand Bahama
JACKIE CARROLL
Director of Operations
Old Bahama Bay
P.O. Box: F-42546
Freeport, Grand Bahama
Tel: (242) 350-6524
Email: jcarroll@obbresort.com
Vice President - Allied Members
VERNICE WALKINE
President & CEO
Nassau Airport Development Co. P.O. Box AP-59229
Tel: (242) 702-1016
Fax: (242) 325-2382
Email: vernice.walkine@nas.bs
Chairperson – Small Hotels
NINA MAYNARD
Owner/Operator The Corner Hotel
P.O. Box: CR-55255
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 361-7445
Email: n1963@bahamas.net.bs
Chairperson – Workforce Development
BEVERLY SAUNDERS
President & Managing Director
The Learning Connection
P.O. Box: CB-11405
Tel: (242) 376-2722
Email: beverly.saunders@cablebahamas.com
Chairperson – CABRA ROBERT ‘SANDY’ SANDS (4.7.18)
Chairperson – Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Bd. FRED LOUNSBERRY (4.7.18)
Chairperson – Association of Bahamas Marinas BASIL SMITH (4.7.18)
Lifetime Directors
George Myers Restaurants Bahamas
Nettica R. Symonette Casuarinas Cable Beach
J. Barrie Farrington Retired
Andres Wiberg Cable Beach Manor (4.7.18)
William Saunders Deceased
