Spring Break Numbers Increase

Director General of Tourism Vernice Walkine told The Bahama Journal in an exclusive interview last week that Mexico has lost a lot of its spring break business, which has translated into increased spring break arrivals for the Bahamas.

"The reason for that we believe would be two things: One, is the fact that Mexico has lost a lot of its spring break business. You might be aware about some of the things going on in Mexico with respect to this more recent and more aggressive crackdown on the drug smuggling operations in Mexico," Ms. Walkine said. "It has created an environment which is unfortunately fairly unstable and perceived to be somewhat scary.

"So I think you’re finding a lot of parents wanting their kids away from some of those areas and I think it has been unfortunate. I don’t think the Mexican tourism authority has done as good of job as they might have done in terms of identifying where the resort areas are and that in fact those areas are still in fact safe.

"Nonetheless I think a lot of people have actually booked away from Mexico and booked to the Bahamas."

In addition to that, Ms. Walkine noted that the Bahamas is much more competitive in the tourism market considering two other factors which include reduced room rates and airfare.

"I think that our rates have been very, very good which have allowed students the opportunity to come to the Bahamas for a change, when they might not have considered us before," the director general said. "I think that those two conditions [reduced room rates and airfare] coming together have really created a good win fall for all of us," Ms. Walkine said.

Considering what is taking place across the Mexican border, the director general also stated that the Ministry of Tourism is focusing heavily on security and are ensuring that visitors to the Bahamas feel at ease and secure.

"Sometimes you have to protect these young people from themselves and we provide security, particularly at all the public venues where they gather, such as the beach at Long Wharf.

"So, we want to make sure that as they are there playing beach volleyball and whatever else, that someone is keeping an eye on them to make sure that no one is trying to take advantage of them or to prey on them," Ms. Walkine said.

"Sometimes you know they get a little bit wild and out of control and you have to sort of take care of them. You have to make sure they get into a cab and get to their hotels and those kinds of things, so it’s really ensuring that while these young people are in our country, to the greatest degree, that we can keep them safe."

Ms. Walkine also noted that parents are able to track their students that travel with GradCity online at www.gradcity.com.