ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
Wynsome Ferguson
The Bahamas Treasure Hunt Fly In began in Abaco on 18th February. Thirteen planes participated in this event which welcomed some 40 people to Abaco. After the planes landed at the Marsh Harbour International Airport the participants were welcomed by Wynsome Ferguson of the Abaco Tourist Office who presented each with a welcome package. As they approached Immigration and Customs they were further welcomed by the sounds of Music Man Estin Sawyer who was able to call them by their names as they entered. A welcome cocktail reception was held at the Abaco Beach Resort compliments of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Don Cornish, manager of the Abaco Tourist Office, and Greg Rolle, aviation specialist of Bahamas Tourist Office Miami, both welcomed and thanked the participants for choosing the islands of The Bahamas. Wynsome also attended the welcome reception. The following evening a fun night of games took place and the participants had the opportunity to win a bank full of treasures and money or weekend stays for two at resorts throughout The Bahamas. The group stayed on Abaco for two days exploring the Abaco cays and then continued the treasure hunt to Harbour Island, Cat Island and Long Island. Thierry Pouille of Air Journey based in West Palm Beach coordinated this event assisted by Greg Rolle and Wynsome Ferguson.
The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club held its annual ball on Friday 21st February at the Abaco Beach Resort. The entire staff of the Abaco Tourist Office attended this event as special guests of the commodore, Don Vanbeck. There were some 140 yacht members present.
The Abaco Tourist Office held its annual Winter Residents’ Receptions on 25th and 27th February at Treasure cay and Marsh Harbour respectively. Both receptions were well received and much appreciated by the second homeowners of Abaco as hundreds attended these events. There were trivia questions on Abaco with prizes awarded to the winners and certificates given to those who had been coming to Abaco the longest. Donald Vanbeck was the recipient of the most consecutive years visiting Abaco as he has been visiting since 1953, a total of 50 years. Agatha Marcelle, parliamentary secretary, and Antoinette davis, senior manager Northern Bahamas were in attendance and addressed the winter residents.
The Abaco Tourist Office hosted a Customer Service Excellence Seminar on 26th February at Below Decks, Abaco Beach Resort, with Agatha Marcelle as the facilitator. One hundred and twenty people participated in this event and included a cross section of professionals from throughout Abaco. The seminar was well received as many of the participants commented on how much they had learned, the importance of sessions like this and that they are looking forward to more training.
Eleventh graders of Government High School, Nassau. visited Abaco on 26th February. While on Abaco they visited Marsh Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay and the Bahamas Star Farm. Wynsome Ferguson escorted the group during their visit.