“I Want to Fly Away!” It’s Better in the Bahamas

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“It is the place I go to be a human being. It’s the place I go to decompress. It’s the place where I go to hear myself and feel myself.”  Lenny Kravitz (Travel and Leisure)

Our newsroom gets over 100 invites a week to go to events, attend conferences, and meet dignitaries, and each week, we go through the difficult decision of picking stories that will captivate our readers, and provide value to their lives.

Getting away from the everyday is an important aspect of surviving, and many of us have difficulty deciding where to go when we do get the opportunity. In 2018, the Caribbean welcomed 29.9 million visitors, which happens to be its second-best year to date (Myers, 2019; Travel Weekly). Could it have something to do with the clear blue water; the bright blue sky; or possibly the incredible flora and fauna of the islands?

When the Bahamas invite came through, we had to go. I knew the Bahamas was beautiful, but I had no idea that there was so much more to this island. The Bahamas launch was held on the 43^rd floor of the ritzy Bisha Hotel Toronto. The room swelled with people; the energy was light as you were instantly transplanted into what felt like a vacation; there were: designer cocktails freshly made, beautifully crafted foods, with just a taste of the islands, and a large screen with clips of the island and a very familiar face.

“We are excited about this campaign and honored to partner with Lenny Kravitz.”  (Dionisio D’Aguilar, Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas)

 For those who did not know, Lenny Kravitz hails from the luxurious island of Bahamas. That song, “I Want to Fly Away,” was actually written about the Bahamas. Throughout the clips highlighting Lenny’s thoughts, you hear the emotion in his voice as he speaks of the island; it is no wonder. The Bahamas is comprised of 16 unique island destinations, each which is meant to specifically satisfy any traveler’s needs. The island is known for its world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches. It is a destination that serves to delight families, couples and adventure seekers.

The beauty of the Bahamas is being recognized as the upward trend in international arrivals has steadily increased. The noticeable increase began in October 2017, as year-over-year and future bookings were growing, and the newer and renovated hotels including Baha Mar and Atlantis Paradise were seeing an increase in reservations. January of this year, the “Fly Away to the Bahamas,” campaign debuted in the U.S. and tourism saw an increase of 15%.

The evening was not short of entertainment; guests were able to experience authentic Junkanoo drumming and take in the lifestyle of those who live in the Bahamas. Each video provided a powerful representation of a people who were not only independent but also fiercely proud of their island. Via large screen, we were introduced to personalities including Lady Di (aka Eleuthera’s “Pineapple Lady”), and Junkanoo, which links music and dance, mime and symbol, and is an early African traditional dance form that has survived in the Caribbean.

What sets the Bahamas apart from all other islands is the fact that it is comprised of 16 different destinations: Freeport, The Abacos, The Exumas, Andros, Bimini, The Berry Islands, Cat Island, Harbour Island and Eleuthera, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Mayaguana, Inagua, Acklins, Nassau-Paradise Island and Crooked Island. The ability to island hop is possible, and it is no wonder the Bahamas was voted #1, #nofilterisland. Congratulations to the team who put this event together; it was truly inspirational to see the people of the Bahamas, their island, and the stories they had to share.

“Our country is blessed; take a moment and just fly away to the Bahamas.”  (Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas)