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NASSAU, Bahamas, February 5, 2019 (CMC) – The Bahamas government has condemned a video, circulating on social media, and disputes allegations that the country is not safe for visitors.
“The assertions made, that Nassau is the most dangerous destination, is refuted, emphatically. We take the issue of visitor safety very seriously,” the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said in a statement.
It said it is aware of the video on You Tube, “attracting attention and concern in the community”.
“While there is speculation that this video may be a leverage tactic, we have no evidence that this video was influenced by anyone other than its creator,” it added.
The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said that it “maintains active dialogue” with the cruise lines, as both parties look to navigate a mutually-beneficial relationship.
“In this regard, it is important to both the Bahamas and to the cruise lines that our destination remains desirable. Private islands have been a feature of cruise itineraries for some years now and are not a replacement for Nassau. Our negotiations and work with cruise lines on myriad issues, are part of an ongoing process, to balance the needs and priorities of The Bahamas, with theirs.
“We are very actively engaged in protecting the reputation of the Bahamas, by aggressively telling our stories, through our advertising, content and also through bringing reputable journalists to experience our hospitality.
“This work is a strong counter to incidents like this. We are close to deciding which plan for our next generation cruise port will move forward, and that will be a key product improvement that will add to the Nassau experience and our reputation,” the ministry said, adding that it supports the efforts of law enforcement agencies and the recently-formed Tourism Safety & Security Advisory Committee, in contributing to the welfare of visitors.
Tourism is a major contributor to the socio-economic development of the Bahamas, which is comprised of 700 islands and over 2000 rocks and caves, sprinkled over 100000 square miles of ocean.
