ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE

October 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

ABACO TOURIST OFFICE UPDATE
by Wynsome Ferguson

Mr David Yeadon, a freelance journalist who writes for Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler and the Washington Post visited Abaco 9th-12th August. Mr Yeadon is one of the journalists who participated in the Bozell/Sanddals Press Trip to The Bahamas. He was interested in the new developments, interesting places and people, as well as unique characteristics of Abaco. While in Abaco he had an opportunity to visit Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour and Hope Town.

On 20th-22nd August Blue Light Incorporated, in collaboration with Touchstone Pictures, filmed a portion of their movie starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe at Manjack Cay and Gillam Bay Point, Green Turtle Cay. They began set building and on shore preparation from 15th July. The working title of this movie is "The Unititled Michael Mann Project" and is directed by the award winning director Michael Mann. The movie is a psychological drama that follows the true story of an investigative journalist and 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman and former research and development tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand. Michael Mann and Al Pacino were each presnted with a sailing dinghy model made by Joe Albury of Man-O-War Cay. They were presented to them by Dr Patricia Rodgers, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Accompanying the Permanent Secretary during her visit were Mr Cordell Thompson, Consultant, and Ms Angela Archer, Assistant Manager Film Commission.

Paigem Publications Ltd held the official launch party for its What's Hap'nen Abaco magazine on 28th August at Sapodillys in Marsh Harbour.

Mr Chris Benesh and his wife Robin of Field Guides Incorporated, a tour operator company for ecotourism expeditions worldwide, visited Abaco 8th-14th September. The company decided to add The Bahamas as a destination to offer their clients. The purpose of their visit was to scout for potential tours in the Abacos. Mr & Mrs Benesh had an opportunity to visit south Abaco in search of the Bahama parrot and other bird species with Paul Pinder, a bird watching guide from Sandy Point. They also went to Hope Town in search of the Key West quail dove and Tilloo Cay to search for nesting white-tailed tropic birds.

On 8th-9th September Mr Mark Foster, proprietor of Travel Trail based in London, and four travel consultants, came to Abaco on a familiarisation trip. While in Abaco they visited Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay.

Ms Catriona Matheson, Bahamas Tourism Institute European Coordinator, escorted a fam trip of ten UK travel agents/tour operators and a British Airways representative to Abaco on 10th-11th September. While in Abaco they did site inspections of hotels in Marsh Harbour and Hope Town and had an opportunity to get acquainted with these areas.

Ms Heather Carey, who has been assigned to our London Office, visited Abaco on 10th-11th September. She was here to familiarise herself with the hotels and the island of Abaco. She was able to view hotels and see Green Turtle Cay, Marsh Harbour and Hope Town.

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