Bahamas Tourism Officials Visit Vancouver to Announce Direct Flights Via Sunwing

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With my role as editor and co-founder of TheBahamasWeekly.com I was invited to a special luncheon hosted by Bahamas Ministry of Tourism who were visiting Vancouver on October 21st to officially launch a weekly flight service to Grand Bahama Island via Sunwing Vacations to start on November 1st, 2014. Not only was I excited to be able to have a direct flight to one of my favourite places and second home, but I knew most of the tourism people visiting as I've been working with Bahamas Tourism for approximately eight years now.

The entourage included the Hon. Minister, Obediah Wilchcombe; Director General, Joy Jiburilu; and Deputy General of Tourism, Ellison Thompson.  Representing Sunwing Travel Group was Graeme Franklin, Director of Sales.  I almost fell over when a good friend, Betty Bethel walked through the door, as I had not expected her to be there. She was surprised to see me too!

Left to right: Chris Lowe, Minister of Tourism, Bahamas, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; and Gareth Hanna. Lowe and Hanna started the Bahamians in Vancouver Facebook group page.

I had asked to bring a couple Bahamians who are living in Vancouver, and Gareth Hanna and Chris Lowe joined me at the cheery occasion. Hanna and Lowe started a Facebook page, "Bahamians in Vancouver" which now boasts over 50 people.  Chris said that he and Minister Wilchcombe used to be his neighbours many years ago.

Departing initially on Saturdays, the Sunwing flight becomes a direct, non-stop service departing Fridays from December 19, 2014.

. Left to right: Betty Bethel, Director, Grand Bahama Tourism Office; Robbin Whachell, Editor, TheBahamasWeekly.com; and Carmel Churchil., Director of Marketing Services, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board.

Nice! Sunwing offers award-winning Champagne Service that includes a welcome glass of champagne, complimentary food and wine along with in-flight entertainment offered at no charge. All packages also include a generous 20kg free baggage allowance.

Offering remarks at the luncheon held at the Rosewood Georgia Hotel, was Paul Strachan, Director, Bahamas Tourist Office in Toronto; Director General of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu; Betty Bethel, Director, Grand Bahama Tourism Office; Bahamas Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; and Tourism Deputy Director General, Ellison Thompson.

During their very short stay in Vancouver, signage was posted up in the Burrard subway station downtown showing scenes of kayakers in the mangroves of Grand Bahama Island.

Then, Team Bahamas jetted off to do similar in Toronto!

Bahamas Tourism officials visit Vancouver, Canada to Launch Sunwing direct flights . Left to right: Graeme Franklin, Sunwing Travel Group; Minister of Tourism, Obie Wilchcombe; and Director General of Tourism, Joy Jibrilu. (Photo: Robbin Whachell)

Check out the promotional video by Tourism Today below:

http://youtu.be/Gje4K5_H80M

News & EventsRobbin WhachellBahamas, Bahamians, Betty Bethel, Burrard Station, Carmel Churchill, Chris Lowe, Direct Flight, Ellison Thompson, Gareth Hanna, Graeme Franklin, Grand Bahama Island, Janet Cuffie, Joy Jiburilu, Obie Wilchcombe, Paul Strachan, Robbin Whachell, Sunwing Airlines, Sunwing Vacation, Tourism Today, travel, Vancouver