INCREASED MARKET DEMAND SPURS CONTINENTAL TO ADD AIRLIFT TO BIMINI, BAHAMAS

~ Continental Connection adds Second Flight/Yellow Air Taxi Introduces Fares Beginning at $79/person ~

BIMINI, Bahamas, June 12, 2008 – Recent additions to Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, the island’s first upscale full-service resort, has fueled an increased demand for airlift to the island prompting major airline operator Continental and charter companies such as Yellow Air Taxi to add additional service to the island.

Continental Connection, operated by Gulfstream International Airlines, has expanded its air service to Bimini adding a second afternoon flight to the island; Yellow Air Taxi, a charter operator servicing 14 destinations within the Bahamas as well as Florida, has recently expanded its air service to include four weekly flights to Bimini; Air time from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Bimini Island International Airport, Bahamas (BIM) is approximately 30 minutes.

“Increasing the air seats into the island is essential as we develop new leisure markets for the destination of Bimini, Bahamas,” stated Nancy Williams, director of Sales and marketing for Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. “The resort offers travelers all the amenities of a full-service resort while maintaining the charm and experience of the Bahamas Out Islands.”

Continental Connection’s second daily flight departs in the afternoon at 3:55 p.m., perfect for passengers connecting from other gateway cities. Gulfstream International Airlines provides service from FLL to BIM with fares beginning at $248 round-trip. For more information, visit www.continental.com

Yellow Air Taxi’s scheduled charter service to the Bahamas provides airlift from FLL to BIM with introductory fares beginning at $79 per person, one-way, less taxes and fees. There are four scheduled flights throughout the week on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Scheduled service departs at 12 p.m. out of FLL and 1:00 p.m. out of BIM. Special promotional packages are also being offered. For more information, visit www.flyyellowairtaxi.com.

Bimini Bay Resort rates begin at $250/night for a one-bedroom luxury suite. For more information and to book your Bimini getaway, visit www.biminibayresort.com or call (242) 347-2900.

~ Bimini Bay Resort and Marina~

The island of Bimini offers jet-setters and boaters an unparalleled vacation experience at the island’s first four-star luxury vacation resort, located just 48 miles off the shore of South Florida. The ideal setting for a destination wedding, honeymoon or corporate retreat, anyone seeking a unique getaway can appreciate exceptional suite accommodations designed to provide families with ultimate comfort and space. All suites feature kitchens with cool granite and contemporary designs with beachy-chic décor and breathtaking views of the Atlantic or marina bay. Guests can look forward to the fall opening of the Bahamas' first Spa Chakra managed by global spa operator Spa Chakra, Inc., which will be located in the resort’s multimillion dollar retail marketplace Fisherman’s Village, and the resort’s complimentary children’s activity center with year-round activities and camps. Other amenities include water sports, an infinity pool, gourmet cuisine, two marinas--one accommodating mega yachts--and beach and poolside massage services. Coming soon are the luxury Conrad Hotel and casino, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed links golf course and additional restaurants and shops. For more information or for reservations, please visit www.biminibayresort.com or call (242) 347-2900.

Hundreds of Bahamian children are expected to benefit from a $5 million donation that will go towards the construction and furnishing of 10 computer and science lab buildings on various Family Islands.

American businessman Billy Davis, who has called The Bahamas his home for more than 20 years, is behind the initiative which is aimed at helping to further the education of young Bahamians.

Davis, a former Arizona state Senator, disclosed that several learning institutions in the United States, including Georgia Tech, have already announced their willingness to assist in this venture, which has been in the making for almost a year.

The first of the 10 structures is expected to be constructed on the island of Rum Cay.

Davis disclosed that upon his first visit to the island (Port Nelson), he thought about the future of the school children and wondered whether they would ever get the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. He said that was when the idea came to him to begin building the schools.

Five million dollars have already been set aside for the venture, thanks to the Billy Davis Family Foundation.

"We are going to erect the first building as soon as the permits are given for the construction," said Davis. "We have located property in Rum Cay, Long Island, San Salvador, Andros. We are looking for property in Rock Sound (Eleuthera), Cat Island. We are putting 10 (computer and science buildings) in," Davis said.

"I can't say that they will all happen in the same year, but our projection is 10 over five years. The only thing that would hold us back is not getting proper permits or something that we can't control."

Each building will have the same design. The building will encompass a large computer science laboratory, administration offices, a reception and clinic area, and a recreation room.

According to Davis, the goal is to create an effective learning environment for Family Island students.

"What happens to the children when this marvelous cable is running from Florida all the way down to the Caribbean called fibre optics and what happens to the children when they begin to leave the Family Islands?" he asked. "Where do they go? They come to Nassau and they go to Canada, Florida and various different places, but do they come home? And if they come home do they come home to Nassau with traffic that you can't manage, when you have all of this wonderful, wonderful country to go back to?

"The buildings will be private on private land and hopefully, one day, we will be able to help children to be able to click the mouse and go beyond the village that they live in, and when they go to the big city or they go to Nassau and to the states they are not behind in this electronic world."

The funds will come from the Billy Davis Family Foundation established in 1908 by Davis' grandfather, who traveled the world helping people in need. This American businessman has worked along with former United States presidents, senior government officials, and American judges.

The Davis family fully supports this foundation with their own money, and only look for help with computers and other tangible items to assist in their mission.

The Bahamas marina operators will be able to draw upon the expertise of one of the world's experts on marina law and co-founder of the International Marina Institute at the upcoming Bahamas Marina Operators Association Development Forum on Monday, February 25, 2008, at Old Bahama Bay, Gin Sur Mer, West End, in Grand Bahama.

Dennis W. Nixon has been invited by The Bahamas Hotel Association, the forum's organizer, to share his views on marina associations, their roles, and their benefits both to operators and to the communities where they exist. Mr. Nixon, a Professor of Marina Affairs since 1976, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Rhode Island since 2001, vast knowledge and experience on marina liability.

This forum is being made possible by BHA, through its Sustainable Tourism Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing Project (STEMM), an initiative supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is also receiving additional support from the United States Embassy Rhode Island Partnership Program. BHA was first introduced to Mr. Nixon early last year when he was invited to The Bahamas by the United States Embassy as part of the Rhode Island-Bahamas Partnership Program. He provided valuable input both to the public and private sectors last spring during a series of meetings throughout The Bahamas with marina operators organized by the Government to solicit operator feedback on a proposed national marina policy.

An outgrowth of that process was the formation of The Bahamas Marina Operators Task Force by The Bahamas Hotel Association, to review the policy and make recommendations to the Government. One of the Task Force's recommendations called for the creation of a Bahamas Marina Operators Association to conduct industry research, market the growing sector, establish industry standards, work closely with Government and advance the training and certifications important to the industry's development.

Mr. Nixon is a marine lawyer by training, and a member of the Maritime Law Association of the Rhode Island Bar. He has lectured on marine law topics at many levels both nationally and internationally; in 27 states, 22 countries, and 6 continents. He researches on marine and coastal law and has authored more than 50 articles.

More than fifty 50 marina operators are expected to attend The Bahamas Marina Operators Association Development Forum in Grand Bahama on February 25th. The meeting includes planning sessions covering key aspects of drafting a business plan outline. It will also provide an opportunity for marina operators throughout The Bahamas to exchange information of common interest as they focus on the development of a Bahamas Marina Operators Association.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is on a mission to transform the hospitality industries and learning organizations to champion service with a 'touch of MAGIC' to our magic city of Freeport, Grand Bahama.

MAGIC which stands for Make A Great Impression on the Customer develops the executives and colleagues from the boardroom to the front office, to make a great impression on your customer in every interaction.

In October 9 -10, 2007, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce held two days of MAGIC Customer Relations Training workshop, conducted by facilitator Jeremiah Walsh of Communico Ltd.

The candidates who attended the two days workshop were from the following organizations: The Public Hospital Authority, The Grand Bahama Development Company Ltd., The Ministry of Tourism, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, National Insurance Board, and Pepe Holdings Ltd.

The interactive training programme zeroed in "How to Handle Challenging and difficult situations and to solve the problem with professionalism and grace."

The five MAGIC steps of Customer Relations (identified below) are the core service principles to create a customer focused culture that builds relationships to increase satisfaction and loyalty.

* Make a connection

* Act professionally

* Get to the heart of the matter

* Inform and clarify what you will do

* Close with the relationship in mind

The three key techniques and tools of coaching, mentoring, and reinforcing are vital to macro-manage the cross-functional team to deliver world-class service; and increase job satisfaction with greater employee confidence and reduce stress.

The five candidates from the subject organizations attended a three days facilitator certification workshop on November 6, 7 and 8, to train their colleagues, and implement the MAGIC service culture to sustain productivity and performance within the work environment.

The newly certified MAGIC facilitators are Pauline Wells (Ministry of Tourism), Geneva Rutherford (Grand Bahama Port Authority Company) Raquel Hart (Pepe Holdings) and Ruth Roberts (Public Hospitals Authority).

Hence, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce invites all organizations, Entrepreneurs, and Union leaders to partner with us to drive the success of the service industry in Grand Bahama, and indeed throughout The Bahamas.

Finally, to foster a spirit of Motivation and Enthusiasm among all employees throughout Grand Bahama who commit to exceeding customers expectations, an annual reward and recognition programme will commence in May, 2008.

This year may well go down in infamy as one when growth in the country's GDP came in under most Caribbean nations, including the Dominican Republic, Guyana and — brace yourselves — Haiti.

In fact, this month the International Monetary Fund downgraded its projection for real growth in the Bahamian Gross Domestic Product for 2007. The organization is now pegging that number at 3.1 percent, or 0.9 percentage points lower than even three months ago.

The new figure falls just below the 3.2 percent predicted for the neighboring Haitian economy, with a much wider gap between the 8.0 percent logged for the Dominican Republic and the more modest 5.6 percent for Guyana. All are countries considered among the poorest in the region — indeed the hemisphere — and those projected increases suggests those nations are only now, in a substantive way, attracting direct foreign investment.

In fact, IMF downgrading for The Bahamas has everything to do with diminished expectations for just how much of that kind of development will actually happen here before the end of the year.

A final battle over concessions for Baha Mar appears to have idled signing of a final supplemental heads of agreement between it and the new government. That $2.4-billion development, a significant part of it stalled, is being blamed for a lull in the construction and other key industries, which has in turn acted as a drag on the economy.

Of little consolation for Bahamians now complaining of significant under-employment as work hours get cut across the tourism sector is the relatively fine performance of other well-heeled nations in the Caribbean.

According to the same IMF projections, Trinidad & Tobago will see real GDP growth of 6.0 percent this year; Barbados will come in near about where the Bahamas was earlier forecast to climb, a 4.1 percent growth from the year previous. They, too, have been affected by a droopy tourism year, but have maintained foreign investment momentum despite setbacks directly owing to new, more restrictive passport requirements for U.S. citizens.

Those increasingly diversified economies continue to nip at the heels of The Bahamas, with real GDP-per-capita numbers approaching our own $20,000.

If there is any silver lining in the cloud hanging over the Bahamian economy and its slowed pace of development, it may be that it has company.

Again, according to IMF projections, Jamaica, a country still grappling with its shift away from a mining and agricultural economy, as well as Grenada — with its own economy set back 15 years by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 — are also toward the back of the pack.

Jamaica is certainly trailing with GDP growth expected at 1.4 percent. Grenada despite its infrastructure challenges is likely to end the year with an economy 3.0 percent bigger that where it started 2007.

The IMF is predicting a better year for that Eastern Caribbean country, pegging its real GDP growth at 4.0 percent. It's the exact number the international organization is now forecasting for this country, while suggesting its 2.4 percent inflation rate for this year will carry forward.

That last number is now being felt by consumers as they watch the cost of grocery items and gas continue to rise, as many of them face curtailed work hours and smaller paychecks.

But they may well increase after the newyear if tourism picks up and development projects, which were expected to come on stream this year, come to fruition in 2008.

The Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing, at least, seems optimistic.

BIMINI, Bahamas, August 2, 2007 – From July 19-22, Bimini Bay Resort welcomed the 2nd Annual Sea Vee Bimini Bash drawing in 32 boats and 200 participants who spent the weekend on the quaint island. With its private customs and immigration, brand new marinas, finely-appointed accommodations and hospitable resort staff, more tourists are continuing to flock to the enchanted island for vacation – numbers from this weekend dictate 1,173 tourists, contributing to the stable growth of tourism to the island.

“I used to work in the restaurant business in Nassau but my tips have doubled since I began working at Bimini Bay Resort,” says Jean Pierre, a server at the resort’s restaurant, Casa Lyon. “When the marina is filled with boats, that’s when I make my money, and there is a lot of potential for me to make money here.”

Bimini Bay Resort has made a name for itself as one of the best Bahamian resorts to host events and fishing tournaments. Upon arrival at the resort, guests were welcomed with an island favorite, Bimini rum punch, and a cool towel while checking-in. On-site activities included a welcome cocktail party with a Bahamian spread of conch fritters, local fish fingers and shrimp spring rolls, a pool-side barbeque featuring barbeque ribs, hot dogs and burgers and an intense Texas Hold’em Poker tournament between 20 guests at the resort’s bayfront event facility.

Families enjoyed great activities near and around the island including a trip to Honeymoon Harbour to visit the docile stingrays, a raft race between Sea Vee owners and a visit to the Wreck of the Sapona, one of the only shipwrecks in the world that swimmers can snorkel through. Sea Vee owners also participated in a weekend of competitive fishing in the emerald-green waters of Bimini. The largest fish of the tournament was a 49-pound mystic grouper and the largest dolphin of the tournament was caught by a pee-wee angler. All the pee-wee anglers and junior anglers received a participation trophy and a Top Female Angler award was given. Third place went to Alan Wenzell’s 4 Reel with a total of 38.6 pounds, second place went to Wetz Seas with a total of 38.6 pounds, and first place was Red Dog with a total of 65.8 pounds.

~ Bimini Bay Resort and Marina ~

A longtime favorite for big-game fishing and yachting enthusiasts, Bimini is back in the spotlight with the opening of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. Couples, families and anyone seeking a getaway offering white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters can take advantage of this Bahamian retreat, located just 48 miles off the shores of South Florida. The resort offers exceptional amenities and gourmet cuisine. Real estate opportunities are available, including condominiums, oceanfront and bayfront homes and the resort’s exclusive private island. Coming soon are the luxury Conrad Hotel, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed links golf course, Mega Yacht Marina and additional restaurants and shops. For reservation inquiries regarding Bimini Bay Resort, please call (242) 347-2900 or e-mail reservations@biminibayresort.com. For real estate inquiries, contact Fantasy Cove Realty, Bimini Bay’s exclusive U.S. real estate sales representative, at (305) 513-0506 or e-mail sales@biminibayresort.com. For general information, please visit the website www.biminibayresort.com.

*Editors Note: jpg photos of the tournament are available by contacting Allison Robins, (305) 403-2409/ arobins@capogroup.com.

BIMINI, Bahamas, July 19, 2007 – From July 12-15, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina played host to the 21st annual Latin Builders Association of South Florida (LBA) fishing tournament where approximately 150 boats and yachts and nearly 1,100 guests traveled across the Bahamian channel for a weekend of fun and relaxation at Bimini Bay Resort and Marina.

Located only 48 miles off the coast of South Florida, vacationers made the short trip to the small island of Bimini enjoying a weekend of Bahamian-inspired cuisine prepared by the resort’s award-winning Executive Chef Wayde Sweeting, games and nights filled with music and dancing and fun-filled days of fishing, boating and beach volleyball on white sandy beaches. The weekend was topped off with an awards banquet in the bayfront event facility overlooking Bimini’s emerald green waters.

“The tournament was such a riveting success that we will begin a tradition of holding future LBA tournaments at Bimini Bay Resort and Marina,” said LBA Tournament Director, Ernesto Portuondo. “Guests now get to fish in the Big Game fishing capital of the world while enjoying upscale amenities and accommodations offered at a first-class resort and marina that has brought life back to our beloved Bimini.”

According to the Bimini Tourism Office, the tournament and resort brought in record-breaking numbers to the island of Bimini over the three-day period totaling 1,097 tourists who traveled by air and sea to the island. When compared to the same weekend in 2006, numbers dictate a 50 percent increase in tourism. Local vendors benefited from the surplus of visitors including the town’s golf cart rental which completely sold out and the straw market which had its grand opening during the weekend. “The island hasn’t seen numbers like this since July 4th weekend of 2006,” stated Acting Manager of the Bimini Tourism Office, Antoinette Stuart. “We are really starting to see the revitalization of Bimini.”

This was the 15th year that the LBA hosted the tournament in Bimini, making it the largest turnout ever with a total of 73 boats that registered for the fishing competition. After three days of intense fishing, there were five successful billfish releases, plus anglers brought tuna, dolphin and kingfish to the weigh-In station. The largest fish at weigh-in was a 93-pound yellowfin tuna.

- more -

LBA TOURNEY AT BIMINI BAY RESORT – 2

Bimini Bay Resort has continued to shine hosting nearly 20 events and tournaments to date which has really benefited the economy of the island. Guests can enjoy staying in beautifully-appointed condominiums and treehouses as well as appreciate upscale amenities such as the resort’s infinity pool and grill and best restaurant on the island, Casa Lyon. Bimini Bay looks forward to breaking more records in the future as it continues to expand with the Conrad Hotel, casino, spa, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed links golf course and a second private island.

~ Bimini Bay Resort and Marina ~

A longtime favorite for big-game fishing and yachting enthusiasts, Bimini is back in the spotlight with the opening of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. Couples, families and anyone seeking a getaway offering white-sand beaches and crystal clear waters can take advantage of this Bahamian retreat, located just 48 miles off the shores of South Florida. The resort offers exceptional amenities and gourmet cuisine. Real estate opportunities are available, including condominiums, oceanfront and bayfront homes and the resort’s exclusive private island. Coming soon are the luxury Conrad Hotel, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed links golf course, Mega Yacht Marina and additional restaurants and shops. For reservation inquiries regarding Bimini Bay Resort, please call (242) 347-2900 or e-mail reservations@biminibayresort.com. For real estate inquiries, contact Fantasy Cove Realty, Bimini Bay’s exclusive U.S. real estate sales representative, at (305) 513-0506 or e-mail sales@biminibayresort.com. For general information, please visit the website www.biminibayresort.com.

~ Latin Builders Association ~

The LBA is an energetic, non-profit organization that encompasses a vast array of individuals and companies related to South Florida’s vibrant construction industry. Since its establishment in 1971, Latin Builders Association has embodied the interests of builders, developers, contractors, architects, engineers, plumbers, electricians and tradesmen associated with the business of construction, striving to provide a vital forum for discussion, networking, training/development, and representation at the local and state level.

*Editors Note: jpg photos of the LBA tournament are available by contacting Allison Robins, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, (305) 403-2389 or at arobins@capogroup.com.