Bahamas Announces Death of Tourism Icon Obie Wilchcombe

by Brian Major
Last updated: 10:55 AM ET, Tue September 26, 2023

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the passing of Obediah “Obie” Wilchcombe Monday at 64.

Wilchcombe was discovered unresponsive Monday, according to a Bahamas Tribune report. He was later pronounced dead at Rand Memorial Hospital in Grand Bahama.

A former broadcast journalist, member of parliament and cabinet minister, Wilchcombe twice served as the territory’s minister of tourism, from 2002 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2017, spanning periods of significant growth for the nation’s tourism industry.

“Minister Wilchcombe's decisive leadership drove continued growth and expansion of our destination's tourism business, significantly elevating the global footprint of The Bahamas and showcasing our vibrant culture to the world,” Ministry officials said in a statement.

At the time of his death, Wilchcombe was The Bahamas’ minister of social services, information and broadcasting, and leader of government business in the House of Assembly.

Wilchcombe’s management “always [placed] the needs of The Bahamas and its people at the forefront via “consultative participation,” officials said in the statement.

He additionally “mentored senior executives and countless other members of staff demonstrating his unwavering belief in empowering Bahamians."

Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Bureau (NPIBP), described Wilchcombe as “a dedicated public servant who made invaluable contributions to our country’s tourism sector."

Added Jibrilu, [Winchcombe] understood the value of tourism to our destination, as well as the importance of public private partnership, and worked closely with the NPIPB and the wider industry.”

She said Wilchcombe’s “10-year leadership contributed to our country's phenomenal growth in tourism, with our numbers growing from four million to six million visitors during his tenure.”

Additionally, the former tourism minister played a fundamental role in developing sports tourism, attracting major sports events to The Bahamas, while also nurturing key niche markets, including religious, African American and film tourism, Jibrilu said.

Wilchcombe “was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” said Kenneth Bryan, chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and minister of tourism and ports for the Cayman Islands.

“The Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe joins the ranks of Great Bahamians who made our beloved Bahamas a better place,” said Ministry officials. “His contributions are immeasurable.”

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