Tourism eyeing more direct airlift from Latin America | Business

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The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) is looking at creating more direct airlift from Latin America and the Caribbean into not only Nassau, but some of the Family Islands as well, as those islands’ airports are redeveloped, MOTIA Deputy Director General Dr. Kenneth Romer said yesterday.

Romer made the remarks on the sidelines of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) conference at Baha Mar, where he further explained that islands like Exuma are being set up to become transport hubs for passengers and cargo.

“We need more hubs. So, Exuma is going to be the hub for the southern Bahamas when we build and complete that Exuma International Airport,” said Romer.

“And when that becomes the hub, we can now speak about connectivity, not just for passenger traffic, but also for cargo.

“So, we have a strategy in mind, creating more hubs and taking our message into new markets.”

He added: “We’re eyeing the Latin American market. We’re looking at things such as air service agreements. We’re looking at interline agreements. We’re looking at direct connectivity from Latin America straight into Nassau and the Family Islands.”

Romer said the ALTA conference brought more than 400 “movers and shakers” in the aviation industry to Nassau for the 20th year.

He said Latin America and the Caribbean have been underserved markets for The Bahamas, with Latin America presenting significant economic opportunities for this country.

He said greater connectivity to that region for the Family Islands does require addressing aged and unqualified infrastructure for the kind of airlift coming out of countries represented through ALTA.

“When we speak about air connectivity, we cannot address that in isolation,” said Romer.

“There has to be the connection with airport infrastructure. So all the government’s efforts in addressing airport infrastructure are designed to increase airlift, and also to provide economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and for stakeholders.

“The reality is that airport infrastructure now has to meet certain standards when it comes to sustainability and resilience.”

Romer said The Bahamas’ airports are no longer being built to attract legacy US carriers, but also travelers from Latin America and the Caribbean.

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