Posted by: Editor on Sep 09, 2006 – 02:06 PM
newsandinfo In 2005, close to 500 couples from around the world selected the Abacos as the destination of choice to exchange their wedding vows.
This sector of the tourism industry has generated a substantial amount of revenue into Abaco’s economy and has provided business opportunities for local people and proprietors.
Kendy Anderson, Weddings and Honeymoons Executive for the Abaco Tourist Office, has monitored the constant growth in destination weddings and found it appropriate to introduce workshops, such as the Second Annual Bridal Extravaganza, to educate and certify persons who desire to professionally capitalise on this opportunity.
Last year’s three-day event attracted many destination wedding gurus from The Association of Bridal Consultants International and Weddings Beautiful Bahamas & Caribbean, bodies that were responsible for presenting wedding consultants from Abaco and representatives from other Islands of the Bahamas, as well as local hoteliers, caterers, florists, seamstresses, photographers and general wedding vendors.
The Second Annual Bridal Extravaganza will feature Ms Doris Nixon as its guest speaker, who holds an impressive resume in her area of expertise. Ms Nixon is President of Weddings Beautiful Worldwide (WBW), Director of Educational Services – National Bride Services and the creator of 18 Certified Wedding Specialist courses. She has also been featured in many wedding/bridal magazine articles internationally.
Moreover, there will be a trade show, a wedding scene fashion show, visitation to popular wedding sites and other informative presentations.
This year’s Bridal Extravaganza will once again be held at The Pavilion at Abaco Beach Resort from October 19 to 21 and will depict The Abaco Signature Wedding theme, ‘A Message in a Conch Shell.’ Individuals or businesses who may wish to participate in this event are advised to contact The Abaco Tourist Office at 242-367-3067 for further information.
Abaco Cacique Namination: For the past 11 years, The Ministry of Tourism has hosted The Cacique Awards, which recognises Bahamians throughout the Islands of The Bahamas for their exemplary service within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Residents of the Abacos who have received this prestigious award, have done very well in several categories and to date, there are thirteen proud Cacique Award recipients.
The Abaco Tourist Office wishes to increase this count and is appealing to the mainland and surrounding Cays to submit names of persons or employees who epitomise the meaning of the word Cacique “Tribal Chief,” in a steady contribution of excellent performance related to Tourism over the years.
The nomination categories for the Cacique Awards are: Transportation, Human Resources Development, Sports, Leisure & Events, Creative Arts, Handicraft, Sustainable Tourism Award, The Clement T Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award and The Minister’s Award.
Eligibility rules require that nominees must be residents of The Bahamas, and that their products and performance ought to have a positive impact on the quality development of Bahamian tourism. In addition, any person who is nominated to receive The Cacique Award from the hotel sector, must be a member of The Bahamas Hotel Association and meet BHA’s criteria.
If you know of any persons or have employees who meet the necessary requirements as specified above, and who are deemed to be strong candidates in the categories listed herein, please contact the Abaco Tourist Office at 242-367-3067 before Oct. 16, 2006.