Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism June/July 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 31 storms geographically, the public will be more knowledge- able as to exactly where the trouble areas are and realize they don't have to avoid the entire Caribbean. Additionally, I have personally found that the Caribbean travel industry is most considerate when it comes to booking travelers in or near hurricane season. The Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) maintains its Hurricane Cancellation Policy, which has been in place for a number of years. The BHA's policy considers travelers who would either need to postpone or cancel their vaca- tion in The Bahamas. The agreed policy gives the vacationer a choice of using deposits or payments toward a future stay at the same property in The Bahamas, or in the event that the vacationer cannot travel to The Baha- mas at all, it provides the vacationer with a full refund. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism was the first to address the topic of hurricanes directly, creating The BWC in 1997. It has been widely noted that the value of the Bahamas Weather Conference has been highly recognized by the National Weather Association and the American Meteoro- logist Society. Both professional organiza- tions extend continu- ing education credit to their members who attend the conference. Meteorologist Vytas Reid of WBBFF Fox in Baltimore, MD has attended the confer- ence seven times and states, "…in 2008 three major hurri- canes – Gustav, Ike and Hanna – caused over 800 deaths. The Bahamas Weather Conference gives two visual perspectives; it helps us to under- stand both the past and the future of hurricanes. We learn from the past experiences so that we can improve on future occurrences, resulting in fewer lives being taken." Alan Sealls, chief meteorologist of WKRC CBS in Mobile, AL, returned to the conference this year for his 8th consecu- tive visit. Since inclement weather on the gulf coast of Alabama is a seasonal occurrence, Sealls, along with his com- munity, face some of the same weather issues as the Bahamas. Being a regular attendee of the Bahamas Weather Conference (BWC) prepared him to accurately and effec- tively relay information during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. "Attending the conference and hearing various stories, tips and how to communicate the pending risks involved can save lives," says Sealls. Because of conferences like the BWC, an increase in knowledge among the traveling public has been noted and may explain the significant recent incr-ease in tourism thr- oughout the Carib- bean during the "hurricane season." Both destinations and visitors are far more knowledge- able about a natural phenomenon that was clearly feared in the past, largely due to ignorance. The BWC is committed to making improve- ments in the prepa- ration and commu- nication of hurri- canes every year to continue to aid tourism. Anita Johnson-Patty, general manager of Communicat- ions for the Americas of the Bahamas Tourist Office, stated "…this conference is beneficial in so many ways. In addition to becoming more aware of how to relay to viewers the geo- graphic whereabouts and paths of hurri- canes, how to prepare for the storm and what to do after, meteorologists enjoy coming to the Baha- mas annually, often traveling with their families. It becomes a reunion for the meteorologists; they learn more about the islands, attractions and go back to their towns and share what they've experienced here. All who attend the conference end up becoming great ambassadors for the Bahamas." Johnson-Patty recommends all interested to visit )www.bahamas.com for online packages being offered and encourages travelers to investigate some of the great deals available during the September – October months.

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