ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
Wynsome Ferguson
The first leg of the Bahamas Billfish Championship took place at the Abaco
Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina 21st-26th April. There were 56 boats
that participated which attracted some 300 plus visitors to Abaco. The overall
winner of the tournament was Flying Pony which brought in the largest
blue marlin weighing 608 lbs and scored 1,408 total points. The awards presentation
took place on 26th April at the Abaco Beach Resort Pavilion. Kendy Anderson
represented the Abaco Tourist Office.
Staff members of the Grand Bahama Tourism Board Information and Human Resources
Department were in Abaco on a familiarisation trip on 26th April. The group
arrived via Pinder’s Ferry Service into Crown Haven where they were met and
welcomed by Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office who presented them
with official press kits and jars of locally produced Abaco jams wrapped in
Androsia fabric. The group visited Treasure Cay Beach Resort for a site inspection
followed by breakfast compliments of the Abaco Tourist Office. They also
had an opportunity to tour Marsh Harbour and surrounding settlements which
included a site inspection of Abaco Beach Resort and a visit to Johnston’s
Studio and Gallery in Little Harbour.
The Abaco Tourist Office held a cocktail party on 2nd May to Introduce
their 2002 Annual Report to industry partners.
The Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club held its final meeting for the season
on 6th May. Nearly 150 boaters attended this send-off meeting. The club will
meet again until late fall 2003.
A planning luncheon was held by the Race Time in Abaco organising committee
on 7th May at the Marsh Harbour Marina. Ruth Saunders has been confirmed as
coordinator. This year’s event is expected to be one of the largest and best
organised.
A meeting was held on 7th May with public service drivers in central Abaco
to discuss standards, rules and taxi fares. The meeting was chaired by senior
administrator Alexander Williams. Also in attendance were Belinda McIntosh,
road traffic supervisor, Inspector Cleophas Cooper of the Royal Bahamas Police
Force, and Don Cornish and Kendy Anderson of the Abaco Tourist Office.
A planning meeting for the 30th anniversary Independence celebrations was
held on 8th May at the Resource Centre, Marsh Harbour. Dates and a budget
were confirmed for the celebrations. Don Cornish serves as island wide chairman.
Representatives from the business community and government departments
were invited to an information meeting on 8th May with the principal developer
of the Winding Bay project, Peter de Savary. The meeting was organised through
the Abaco Chamber of Commerce and was held at Abaco Beach Resort.
The Sea Wind commenced weekly service to Abaco during the first
week of May. The vessel will ply between Nassau and Sandy Point three days
a week with ferry passengers and bulk freight capacity.