Press Releases

01.12.10

THE ISLANDS OF THE BAHAMAS OFFER FREE COMPANION AIRFARE

Bring the whole family to paradise with the winter’s hottest deal

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Jan. 8, 2009 - With the winter chill in full swing and cabin fever setting in, what could be better than a free ticket for a sun-drenched escape?

The Islands Of The Bahamas have just announced the season’s hottest offer - FREE companion airfare to a Bahamas island destination of choice. Travelers who book by March 3rd receive free companion airfare for bookings of four nights, allowing for an inexpensive tropical getaway in the middle of the frosty winter months. Choose from more than 40 participating properties throughout Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the Out Islands, each offering idyllic crystal-clear blue waters and soft white sand.

In the Out Islands (known for barefoot elegance, endless beaches and pure relaxation), participating hotels include the Abaco Club on Winding Bay and Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina. On Grand Bahama Island (home to assorted ecological wonders and soft adventure activities), participating hotels include the Radisson Our Lucaya Grand Bahama Island and Pelican Bay at Lucaya. Participating hotels on Nassau/Paradise Island (which offers family-friendly activities, fine dining and glamorous nightlife) include Atlantis Paradise Island, the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island. Travelers can visit Bahamas.com or call 1-800-BAHAMAS to learn about the full listing of participating hotels and to get additional information on how to book the offer.

Life in the 700 Islands Of The Bahamas just keeps getting better. And it’s easy to see why. With world-class diving and fishing, miles of picture perfect beaches, and gorgeous turquoise water, visitors have the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. From Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island, this tropical paradise is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bahamas. To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from The Bahamas, visit www.eshopbahamas.com.

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Media Contacts:

Meredith Phares
Weber Shandwick
(212) 445- 8110
mphares@webershandwick.com
Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
(954) 236-9292
ajohnson@bahamas.com

Tags: Deals, Free Companion Airfare, Nassau
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10.08.09

Bahamas Visitors Encouraged to “Ask Me”

The Islands Of The Bahamas Launches Visitor Assistance Program in Nassau

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Oct. 5, 2009 - Knowledgeable and helpful tourism ambassadors have been dispatched into the streets of downtown Nassau to provide personal attention in identifying attractions and addressing questions from visitors.

On Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays - peak tourism days in Nassau due to cruise ship arrivals - tourism ambassadors serve as a resource for travelers pointing them in the right direction of a cultural attraction from the Junkanoo Museum to Parliament Square or a waterside restaurant offering freshly made conch fritters and more. All ambassadors can be identified by bright green vests marked “Ask Me.”

“Hospitality has always been a hallmark of The Islands Of The Bahamas, and the Ministry of Tourism wanted to take it a step further by inviting our guests to engage in a conversation and seek advice from us,” explained Vernice Walkine, director-general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. “The tourism ambassador program also provides an opportunity to learn about our visitors - what are they most interested in seeing and experiencing and how can we better educate travelers on the attractions available in Nassau prior to arrival.”

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism established the program in partnership with College of The Bahamas, giving Tourism Studies students an opportunity to gain experience in assisting visitors.

Life in the 700 Islands Of The Bahamas just keeps getting better. And it’s easy to see why. With world-class diving and fishing, miles of picture perfect beaches, and gorgeous turquoise water, visitors have the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. From Exuma, Eleuthera and Abaco to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island, this tropical paradise is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. To purchase one-of-a-kind items and mementos from The Bahamas, visit www.eshopbahamas.com.

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Tags: ambassadors, bahamas, Nassau
Posted in Press Releases | 1 Comment »

08.21.09

As the Pressure Builds, Hope Floats

Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza in the Nassau Parade (BIS Photo: Derek Smith)

Today in The Bahamas, traffic stopped, pageant worthy hand-waves filled the air, and the crowd cheered, as the 2009 Miss Universe contestants took over Bay Street in Nassau. The contestants exchanged smiles and kisses with the onlookers as they sailed down the street on floats. Excitement and tension fills the air as the August 23rd date of the pageant continues to draws closer. The parade was given by The Islands Of The Bahamas for the contestants of the 2009 Miss Universe Competition.

The Crowd Cheers On The 2009 Miss Universe Contestants (BIS Photo: Derek Smith)

The Crowd Cheers On The Contestants (BIS Photo: Derek Smith)

Tags: Nassau, the bahamas
Posted in Updates | 1 Comment »

08.18.09

Eighty-Four down to 15…Only the strong survive

Seven days before the televised show and official coronation event, all 84 Miss Universe hopefuls took to the runway for the Presentation Show to impress the judges with their shining smiles and poise. The evening started with the swimsuit competition, where the ladies showed off their long legs to the cheers of the captivated audience. Reigning Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza, and Ed Fields, local Nassau radio personality, announced each girl and shared interesting, little-known-facts about the contestants. Following a musical interlude by British singer Anthoney Wright, the girls donned their finest evening apparel one-by-one, gracing the stage with intricate dresses made with sequins, sparkles and silk.

Miss Great Britain twirls for the judges in her evening gown (BIS Photo: Derek Smith)

Tags: Atlantis, Nassau
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08.14.09

58th Miss Universe Pageant Tours The Islands Of The Bahamas

Dayana Mendoza and Contestants Are Introduced to the Beauty and Culture of Host Country

NASSAU, The Bahamas, August 14, 2009 – Official activities for the 58th Miss Universe pageant are underway in The Islands Of The Bahamas. Contestants from 85 countries will compete for the crown in a contest to be televised live Aug. 23 at 9:00 p.m. (EDT) on NBC and Telemundo.
Contestants began arriving in Nassau, capital of the islands-nation, just 55 miles off the east coast of Florida, on Aug. 2 and have been preparing for the event and touring the country. The Islands Of The Bahamas have celebrated the event with a special week of activities that have introduced the women to the people, culture and geography of the country. Events have included
•   Reception of Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza and the contestants at Government House in Nassau
•   Tour of legendary Bimini for Miss Great Britain Clair Cooper, Miss Singapore Rachel Kum, Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez and others along with sunbathing on the beach and dancing with local residents
•   Picnic on Stocking Island beach on Exuma for Miss Costa Rica Jessica Umana, Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aimee De la Cruz, Miss New Zealand Katie Taylor and other contestants with conch salad from the famous Chat n Chill beachside restaurant
•   Luncheon and tour of Great Abaco and stunning Treasure Cay beach with Miss Bahamas Kiara Sherman
•   Swimsuit show with Miss USA Kristen Dalton, Miss Canada Mariana Valente, Miss Venezuela Stefania Fernandez and all other contestants on Grand Bahama Island
The action now returns to Nassau and the Atlantis, Paradise Island Resort as the contestants make final preparations for the competition. Several special events and viewing parties remain and tickets are still available. Visit www.bahamas.com for more information on events, locations and ticket prices.
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Media Contacts:

Judith HoSang

Weber Shandwick

(212) 445-8122

jhosang@webershandwick.com

Anita Johnson-Patty

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

(954) 236-9292

ajohnson@bahamas.com

Editor’s note: Photography from these events is available at www.bahamasmediacenter.com (please credit Derek Smith) and video including short interviews with Miss Great Britain, Miss USA, Miss Venezuela, etc. will be available at www.thenewsmarket.com.

Tags: Atlantis, Nassau
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08.14.09

Miss Universe: Arrivals in Nassau

Nassau, Friday, Aug. 7

Nassau/Paradise Island is glittering with the arrival of 85 contestants for the title of Miss Universe. The pageant is still two weeks away, but there is much to be done to prepare all the ladies, their costumes and the stage for the ultimate event, so everyone arrives in the destination early to prepare. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamian people have planned many events and tours to fill the ladies off hours and introduce them to the beauty and culture of the country, so their time here will be well spent win or lose. Since arriving, the ladies have been all over the island visiting local schools, the Clifton Heritage site, the National Art Gallery, Ardastra Gardens, the Straw Market and taking tea at Government House among other stops around Nassau. This welcome week was capped off by an official reception for all the participants hosted at The Balmoral Club.

Tags: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Nassau, Paradise Island
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08.13.09

Miss University: Working The Runway

Miss University Winner: Jenny Price

Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley and Brett Claywell of ABC’s One Life to Live hosted the grand finale at the Wyndham pool. As the crowd swelled to more than 300, the 21 participants put their newly developed skills to the test as they worked the runway and each recited a 45 second commercial pitch about The Bahamas for the judges. The celebrity judges included executives from E!, ABC, Bravo’s ‘The Fashion Show’ and Next Models.

Tags: Miss University, Nassau, Wyndham
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08.13.09

Miss University: Beauties of Nassau Calendar

Miss University: Chelsea Lewis

Coming in December, the Beauties of Nassau calendar will feature glamorous shots set on Cable Beach, plus the competition’s winner will appear in Supermodels Unlimited magazine with the beautiful Bahamas sunrise as the backdrop.

Tags: Beauty and the Beach, Miss University, Nassau, Supermodels Unlimited
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08.13.09

Miss University: Beauty and the Beach

The Miss University: Beauty and the Beach program took place Aug. 6-10 in Nassau. The Sheraton Nassau Beach played gracious host to 21 aspiring beauty queens ages 11-27 including 5 special Bahamian participants. They had glamorous photo shoots on Bay Street and on Cable Beach, did some shopping at the Straw Market, learned runway technique and speech improvement, went snorkeling with Stuart Cove’s and met with Miss Bahamas 2009 Kiara Sherman.

Tags: Miss University, Nassau, Sheraton
Posted in Updates | No Comments »

08.10.09

Miss Universe Pageant Updates!

The 58th annual Miss Universe Pageant is underway in The Islands Of The Bahamas. Participants have been exploring Nassau and traveling to other Bahamian islands - including Grand Bahama Island, which hosted the swimsuit competition on Sunday.