WHY IT RATES:Dionisio D'Aguilarknows the big responsibility that comes with being appointed Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation - Eric Bowman, TravelPulse Senior Editor
Newly appointed Bahamas Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Dionisio D'Aguilar, announced that his immediate goal is to increase the number of visitors to The Bahamas, while simultaneously improving the overall international visitor experience.
D'Aguilar took up the post on May 15 and immediately began meeting with ministry employees and industry officials.
"The overriding goal of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism must be to increase the number of international persons traveling to The Bahamas. This objective can only be accomplished if everyone working at the Ministry cooperates closely with all stakeholders involved in delivering the tourism experience, and we are further supported in our efforts by the Bahamian people," D'Aguilar emphasized.
"We must all work together to ensure an exceptional visitor experience; one that emphasizes the spectacular natural beauty of our islands, our rich cultural heritage, and the inherent friendliness of our people."
The new tourism minister believes that a renewed focus on the country's greatest natural resources of sun, sea and sand, complemented by authentic local food and beverages; arts and handicrafts; music and entertainment; and exposure to the Bahamas' unique history, can successfully differentiate the destination in the sophisticated global vacation marketplace.
"While many tourism stakeholders contribute to a positive visitor experience, we recognize that certain aspects of our tourist offerings require drastic re-engineering. We need to creatively invest in key aspects of the visitor experiences, foster entrepreneurs with creative ideas for tours and activities, promote new ventures in nightlife and entertainment, broaden choices for quality accommodations, and ensure that the vistas on our beautiful islands are free of litter."
Reflecting on his new appointment D'Aguilar said, "As tourism is our number one industry, this position carries a huge responsibility. I have an enormous job ahead of me, one that requires awesome effort from everyone at the Ministry, both at home and abroad."
D'Aguilar indicated that the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism also looks forward to working with other Government departments to enhance the tourism product and improve the appeal of The Bahamas to international visitors. Based on his background in business, the minister said he will be relying heavily on quantifiable statistical information and financial analysis in his decision making.
D'Aguilar is the former CEO of Superwash Limited and has served on several corporate boards including AML Foods, J.S. Johnson and Baha Mar. He also has an active community service record, as former president of the Bahamas Breast Cancer Initiative, former President of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, and former honorary consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Bahamas.
He studied at Cornell University in New York, where he received a Bachelors of Science in Hotel Administration as well as a Masters in Business Administration. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
