Over the years’ tourism remains one of our most important sources of local employment and wealth creation. Our unrivaled reputation puts us in prime position to establish the Bahamas as a world-leading green holiday destination.
These quiet islands in MICAL are ideal for relaxing, reconnecting, fantasy weddings and honeymoons, for the ultimate in fishing, diving, and eco-travel vacations. The next Member of Parliament for MICAL should seek to achieve the following:
MICAL’s Path forward>>
Launch a ‘Proud Cities’ Programme in MICAL, including projects such as current, new, and mix-used developments inclusive of government buildings, parks, hotel developments, commercial retail, health, traffic-free areas and eco-communities to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable living.
Strengthen the eco-tourism sector by the Introduction of a Green Star Rating System for Eco-Tourism.
Lobby for the establishment of an Eco-Tourism Unit within the Ministry of Tourism to coordinate, certify and promote the Green Star initiative (particularly in MICAL).
Establish National Bird Sanctuaries for bird watching and to legally recognize, promote, and protect the nearly three hundred plus bird species listed on the bird watching lists known to frequent or reside in MICAL.
Introduce and implement an Eco-Solar Smart Cities Development Plan for the construction of five Eco-Solar Smart Cities in MICAL. Mapping out the development of homes, health, retail, offices, recreational, commercial, government buildings, a local parliament (The House of Representatives; General Assembly), infrastructural elements, and trails for walking and cycling routes maximizing their use. Examining the possibilities of improving access for cycling, pedestrians, and motorists.
Pursue Venture Capital Funding for Bahamian ownership of world trendsetting eco-(bone-fishing) lodges, hotels, spas, and wellness facilities in MICAL.
Introduce a “Fly South Bahamas” Initiative designed to encourage visitors who have never visited (MICAL) the Bahamas to visit by offering them affordable vacation packages.
Petition for the construction of cost-effective access to new cruise ports in MICAL. Introduce an “All IN THE PACKAGE DEAL” Southern Cruise Promotion – An Inter-island cruise: Tourists would fly into their destination and stay one night in a hotel before getting on a (4) four-day Bahamian island cruise experiencing the multi-destination in MICAL.
100% Bahamian employment and authentic eco-friendly products in newly constructed State of the art Straw markets throughout the constituency of MICAL commencing immediately. Lobby for government to target program interventions that will create a strong and vibrant local craft industry in MICAL.
Heritage & Historical Tourism must be expanded and encouraged to enrich the visitor experience. Therefore, I seek to Lobby for this specialized branch of tourism to have its own added incentives and concessions for participants.
Lobby Tourism for a Specialized program expansion of the People to People program exclusively for participants.
Pursue the government to amend the Sports Fishing Act to ensure the safety and protection of the industry for future Bahamians.
Undertake a deliberate approach to strengthen the overall tourism product and to re-position the Southern Bahamas as the regional leader with a new marketing thrust and an expansion of the traditional visitor base.
Develop the potential for “Food Tourism”, starting with “food trails” and the provision of Bahamian foods and fruits in hotels, public schools, and clinics, in MICAL.
Tourism Diversification and Island branding: Single out the natural features of each Island in MICAL. Highlighting the historical and geophysical attractions in our international promotions such as cruise-hubbing, historical tourism, treasure, Adventure seekers and sports tourism, etc. Island Branding: To ensure that each Island is branded and promoted in accordance with the type of experience it offers.
The construction of new golf courses to leverage MICAL’s competitive advantage in its abundant land that is ideal for this amenity and the favorable development of technological solutions that reduce the amount of water needed to maintain golf courses.
Create and position the suite of Discover Bahamas (Out Islands) websites as exemplars for information, content, and reservation tourism system, with an ease of booking and comprehensive linkages to industry platforms.
Support for the construction of floating marina docks, public docks, and operators based on the yachting sector’s potential for considerable growth throughout MICAL.
Create Artisan Zones – of pedestrian zones and public spaces in the city districts. Likewise, promote the development of cycling as a growth area for tourism throughout MICAL.
Integrate the history, fauna, flora, music, arts, crafts, culture, and language of The Bahamas in our products and services through the legislation of a National Culture Act of the Bahamas which will strengthen & protect our future, our people, and the multi-destination heritage of the Bahamas.
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The Path Forward is a 20-year Development plan designed to generate economic growth and to develop sustainable economies in Mayaguna, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay (MICAL). The ideas, initiatives, and programs mentioned in this document were written as a guide mapping out an economic development path forward for the southern islands of the Bahamas.
By Andy Hanna.