Four major US airlines added flights to their Bahamas schedules in mid-December, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA), which is anticipating the addition of hotel inventory in the first two months of 2021.
The MOTA released a ‘State of the Industry Wrap Up’ report yesterday outlining what it has had to accomplish during the COVID-19 pandemic, which depressed travel across the world and decreased The Bahamas’ tourism numbers by more than 60 percent.
However, as the year comes to a close, the ministry is reporting an uptick in the tourism sector, especially with the recent phased reopening of Baha Mar and Atlantis.
The MOTA also stated in its report that JetBlue, American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines added flights to their Bahamas schedules this month.
“As 2020 comes to an end, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is once again reflecting on a remarkably historic and challenging year,” the MOTA report stated.
“There is great optimism that the islands will see a return to record-breaking visitor numbers once it is safe for all to travel freely again. In the meantime, the government is doing all that is possible to get Bahamians back to work.
“The latest protocols have been well-received by consumers and tourism partners alike and coincide with news of hotel property reopenings and increased airlift resumption.”
Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said in the report that the collaboration of tourism stakeholders, promotion boards, agencies, media and travel partners allowed The Bahamas to establish on-island guidelines and preventative measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for Bahamians and the traveling public.
“Our new, streamlined protocols for entry and inter-island travel – adjusted after careful monitoring, diligent analysis and swift response from all government entities – responsibly enforce public health and safety measures while allowing travelers to more freely enjoy our vacation experience,” said D’Aguilar.
The report further noted that the MOTA has carried out an “aggressive” and targeted public relations and marketing campaign in order to relay the message that The Bahamas is open for business and to explain the protocols for visiting this country in the midst of the pandemic.
MOTA Director General Joy Jibrilu said in the report that despite the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry continued to push the country’s marketing engines.
“It is our duty at the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation to promote tourism to our beautiful country and while 2020 brought unprecedented roadblocks to that task, our optimism and dedication to that mission never wavered,” said Jibrilu.
“As we look ahead to 2021, we will continue to find new and unique ways to promote our islands’ offerings through expanded programs and initiatives that will bring even more visitors back to our shores as quickly as possible.”
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source https://thenassauguardian.com/four-major-us-airlines-add-bahamas-flights/
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