As the Western Hemisphere Travel Iniatitive goes into effect today, alot of countries that depend on tourism, inclusive of the Bahamas, fear for the worst.

So how far are we willing to go to keep our tourist numbers up?

I guess that question has been answered, as the Bahamas Tourism Board, and hotel assoc., are willing to reimburse EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN who get a passort between Dec.06 and Mar.07, $97.00 per/adult and $88 per/child, as long as they stay a minimum of 2nights and one of 17 hotels, and they must travel by Mar 31st 07.

My thing is, seeing that this is the peak season, the Bahamas is looking at about 2million tourist arrival during this period. The math on the reimbursement then could be anywhere around $180M!:eek:

Na that sounds like alot of money to give back, in my opinion. Especially since the Ministry of Tourism have already spent over $50M in advertisements in the USA, reminding and encouraging its citizens to get their passorts.

Maybe Im just a chronic critic, but when I think of that kinda money being given away, I just cant help but think where else it could have been used.

What do you guys think?

As the Western Hemisphere Travel Iniatitive goes into effect today, alot of countries that depend on tourism, inclusive of the Bahamas, fear for the worst.
So how far are we willing to go to keep our tourist numbers up?
I guess that question has been answered, as the Bahamas Tourism Board, and hotel assoc., are willing to reimburse EVERY AMERICAN CITIZEN who get a passort between Dec.06 and Mar.07, $97.00 per/adult and $88 per/child, as long as they stay a minimum of 2nights and one of 17 hotels, and they must travel by Mar 31st 07.
My thing is, seeing that this is the peak season, the Bahamas is looking at about 2million tourist arrival during this period. The math on the reimbursement then could be anywhere around $180M!:eek:
Na that sounds like alot of money to give back, in my opinion. Especially since the Ministry of Tourism have already spent over $50M in advertisements in the USA, reminding and encouraging its citizens to get their passorts.
Maybe Im just a chronic critic, but when I think of that kinda money being given away, I just cant help but think where else it could have been used.
What do you guys think?

It may not be the best or most fiscally sound plan in the world but the effect will be nowhere near the magnitude you predict. Tourist arrivals between now and March 31st will likely total about 1 to 1.25 Million. I am not aware of the details of the plan itself however, since the passport regulation is restricted to Air arrivals then only those that arrive by air should be eligible (if cruise ship arrivals are included they should not be). If that is the case the number should reduce to between 250,000 and 1/2 million. Add to that the fact that 85% to 90% of American tourists to The Bahamas currently are passport holders, then the number will be further reduced to between 25,000 and 75,000. Multiply that by the split of adults and children at 3 to 2 and we get from
$88 x 10,000 = 880,000 + $97 x 15,000 = $1,455,000 = $2,335,000
$88 x 30,000 = 2,640,000 + $97 x 45,000 = $4,365,000 = $7,005,000
It's still too much but nowhere near $180,000,000. Personally I only wonder about the amount of the reimbursements. I am sure that the thought was to attract new visitors and perhaps create loyal regular visitors. The question then becomes whether these persons will indeed become loyal visitors or just take their new passport and visit Cancun every year. Another consideration is what are our competitors doing and whether they would have enjoyed an advantage over us had we not done this. If they are spending $50,000,000 on ads, then $7,005,000 seems to be a drop in the proverbial bucket when we consider what is at stake.

man that's a waste of money...you cant rationalize this. and many suffering Bahamians who een eating would love the govt reimburse them $97 or $88. there is always another way...always.

At least we should give them some marks for creative thinking! Perhaps not the best thinking but at least creative.:)

first this should be in the Government Forum, its not politricks.

and yes, that is a huge waste of money, though perhaps in a perfect world would be a good idea, but I dont think the MOT are connected with the average Bahamian.

It may not be the best or most fiscally sound plan in the world but the effect will be nowhere near the magnitude you predict. Tourist arrivals between now and March 31st will likely total about 1 to 1.25 Million. I am not aware of the details of the plan itself however, since the passport regulation is restricted to Air arrivals then only those that arrive by air should be eligible (if cruise ship arrivals are included they should not be). If that is the case the number should reduce to between 250,000 and 1/2 million. Add to that the fact that 85% to 90% of American tourists to The Bahamas currently are passport holders, then the number will be further reduced to between 25,000 and 75,000. Multiply that by the split of adults and children at 3 to 2 and we get from
$88 x 10,000 = 880,000 + $97 x 15,000 = $1,455,000 = $2,335,000
$88 x 30,000 = 2,640,000 + $97 x 45,000 = $4,365,000 = $7,005,000
It's still too much but nowhere near $180,000,000. Personally I only wonder about the amount of the reimbursements. I am sure that the thought was to attract new visitors and perhaps create loyal regular visitors. The question then becomes whether these persons will indeed become loyal visitors or just take their new passport and visit Cancun every year. Another consideration is what are our competitors doing and whether they would have enjoyed an advantage over us had we not done this. If they are spending $50,000,000 on ads, then $7,005,000 seems to be a drop in the proverbial bucket when we consider what is at stake.

Good breakdown of the figures, but still, its alot of money to give away. And just like you said they get their passport free, courtesy of the Bahamas- then they go elsewhere. I know we can't demand that they come back- but a FREE PASSPORT........I don't know bout that.

But hey...we need them....they don't need us!

Dang! I wish we coulda grow our own food and had some kinda sustainable industry!

that is literally the worst idea i have ever heard. also i am sure this free money hand out will be extended and when the passport retriction comes into effect for passengers by sea i am sure the gov will do the same thing and extend the program.

to the first posters the numbers could possible be more than 1.8 mil

Does the cost outweigh the benefit?
The only way you would know, if you calculate on avergae the amount of money, people have spent on a 2 to 7 day trip here in the past.
Sounds like a feasible plan, especially if it motivates people to finally take that trip they have been dying for all their lives.

I am quite certain that the average visitor, would spend more than $97.00. And in fact, he would probably spend his cash-back right here in the Bahamas.

In lump sum it may be tremendous, but in actuallity it is far from being a break put against the rewards we can reap.

With that you are calculating 2million visitors. That may be factually dishonest to claim that all 2million visitors projected, will get money back in the reimbursement plan because out of the two million visitors, you would expect them on average about 80% to already have visas. Travel dynamics, indicate that the majority of travellers, travel with a passport. Not because they need it all the time, but because it is prudent to have one, since they are expected to be seasoned risk takers at the very least. Seasoned risk takers, cover their bets all the time. Travellers are that kind of seasoned risk taker.

Certainly, out of the total numbers of new visitors, we would expect some of them to be new visa holders. But anything that would offset the numbers can swing either way due to other variables, which may swing the stats to our favour.
:)

good concept!!

but once again horrible execution.. but while we fullly reimburse these people for their passports.. how much of the new visitors and first time passport carriers will actually revisit the bahamas??? also won't alot of potential future visitors be expecting the same kind of treatment? nahhhhhhhhhh.. this is bad bad bad..

Does the cost outweigh the benefit?The only way you would know, if you calculate on avergae the amount of money, people have spent on a 2 to 7 day trip here in the past.
Sounds like a feasible plan, especially if it motivates people to finally take that trip they have been dying for all their lives.
I am quite certain that the average visitor, would spend more than $97.00. And in fact, he would probably spend his cash-back right here in the Bahamas.
In lump sum it may be tremendous, but in actuallity it is far from being a break put against the rewards we can reap.
With that you are calculating 2million visitors. That may be factually dishonest to claim that all 2million visitors projected, will get money back in the reimbursement plan because out of the two million visitors, you would expect them on average about 80% to already have visas. Travel dynamics, indicate that the majority of travellers, travel with a passport. Not because they need it all the time, but because it is prudent to have one, since they are expected to be seasoned risk takers at the very least. Seasoned risk takers, cover their bets all the time. Travellers are that kind of seasoned risk taker.
Certainly, out of the total numbers of new visitors, we would expect some of them to be new visa holders. But anything that would offset the numbers can swing either way due to other variables, which may swing the stats to our favour.
:)


A BIG FAT NO,NOPE,NADA

Listen any american planning to come to the bahamas is going to do so regardless of the pass port requirement. i dont understand how or why bahamains and all these other caribbean countries dont get this concept, do bahamians and other caribbean folk and mexico think that americans are so pretentous that they will NEVER leave the united states becuase they need a passport?

also whats the point of this program do they theink that americans trying to choose between the bahamas and barbados will choose the bahamas becuase they will get $97.00!!!!??? LOL

The thinking is so ridicualous. Like I said before i could understand a panic or this type of program if this passport requirement was for only certain countries but every single one of the bahamas' compition is subjected to this law.

that money should be focused on bettering the tourism product, thats what will bring the pple not $97.00. for starters they could focus on all the holes and cracks in the sides walks and streets of downtown nassau. i saw a toursit actually fall down in the middle of federick street, i know he has to twist his ancle becuase of that hole. also while i had a friend in nassau wit me we was walkin downtown and i almost break my anckle in the biggest hole i ever saw on a side walk.

n e way if ur comfortable and happy with ur gov wasting millions of dollars. carry on

good concept!!
but once again horrible execution.. but while we fullly reimburse these people for their passports.. how much of the new visitors and first time passport carriers will actually revisit the bahamas??? also won't alot of potential future visitors be expecting the same kind of treatment? nahhhhhhhhhh.. this is bad bad bad..


Well from first principle. We can not expect that what will is saying is true to the core.
He has to answer the question on how long will this thing run for....no one knows.
Also, the truth has to be told on how much will visitors spend on their regular trip.
The issue of;" how much of the new visitors and first time passport carriers will actually revisit the bahamas?"
Can not enter into the equation just yet, because there is no way to know what the future hold the way you are looking at it. But, how many tourists are return visitors to the Bahamas, only Vincent Vanderpool Wallce knew, because he was the only one thus far, who has presented any type of credible statistics. That is not saying much, but the new Tourism Director and the PS needs to show us the numbers again, if this thing is going to work.

You can not knock the concept, without knowing what exactly it is that went into the analysis. You assume that these things have not been taken into account. I would hold on my comment if I were you, until these things come in.
:)

A BIG FAT NO,NOPE,NADA
Listen any american planning to come to the bahamas is going to do so regardless of the pass port requirement. i dont understand how or why bahamains and all these other caribbean countries dont get this concept, do bahamians and other caribbean folk and mexico think that americans are so pretentous that they will NEVER leave the united states becuase they need a passport?
I don't think I quite understand you. Are you saying that americans, will vist the country anyways even if they broke the new law to do so?
Clarify for me!


also whats the point of this program do they theink that americans trying to choose between the bahamas and barbados will choose the bahamas becuase they will get $97.00!!!!??? LOL
Because it is a marketting gimick. alot of the stuff you buy in the store, has nothing to do with where else you can get it, or what else can be put in its stead. I am sure you use alot of brands, and do not understand why the hell you use it. The gimick to at least bring attention to our Islands, inan attempt to bring some new people in at a marginal cost is worth it. But, we have not yet seen the break down of what went in the planning.


The thinking is so ridicualous. Like I said before i could understand a panic or this type of program if this passport requirement was for only certain countries but every single one of the bahamas' compition is subjected to this law.
We are closer. They were subject to the same treatment before the law, and our tourism rates...taking into account the hotel occupancy rates...we steady at the very worse.

that money should be focused on bettering the tourism product, thats what will bring the pple not $97.00. for starters they could focus on all the holes and cracks in the sides walks and streets of downtown nassau. i saw a toursit actually fall down in the middle of federick street, i know he has to twist his ancle becuase of that hole. also while i had a friend in nassau wit me we was walkin downtown and i almost break my anckle in the biggest hole i ever saw on a side walk.
Not the topic. But, they need to do more than fix the walls. They need to hire a few more street cleaners and public pick up crews. This island is filthy when you get past the airport road.

n e way if ur comfortable and happy with ur gov wasting millions of dollars. carry on

We do not know if this is a waste. You have to give up something, in order to get something. $97 cash back to a new tourist who will spend at least 10 times that over his 2 to 3 week stay. This will be an open shut strategy, if we will be able to measure who will come to our islands, regardless of the passport standard before hand. No one knows this, but as far as marketting gimicks go....this is a pretty catchy one!
:hammer:

If this be the case, the hotels that the visitor stays at should reimburse the amount.

If a tourist stays at Atlantis and never makes it to Bay Street to spend some money, who wins?, Not the government.

We do not know if this is a waste. You have to give up something, in order to get something.


$50K a month to Travelosity for running their website campaign
$50 mill a year to US marketing agencies for low rate advertising

now $10+ mill approx a year for this ..

and yet the price of food keeps going up ..
the quality of food and service gets worse ..
salaries stay low, crime gets higher ..
the roads are a disaster ..
and the island is filthy ...

You need a product worth selling before you advertise it ..
its here, but it needs work .. and that $50 mill a year could help ..
:sailing:

man that's a waste of money...you cant rationalize this. and many suffering Bahamians who een eating would love the govt reimburse them $97 or $88. there is always another way...always.


AMEN!!! Eg...Sea Hauler victims, I know it's a different situation but they still would like to be REIMBUSED too.