Back row L-R: Executive Director Global Communications Paul Strachan, Archdeacon Theadore Hunt, Dr. Ann Johnson, Ambassador H.E. Dexter Johnson, High Commissioner AV. Alfred Gray, Mrs. Bessie Gray, Parliamentary Secretary John H. Pinder, Mr. Kevin Simmons, CPO Kingsley Smith.
Front row L-R: Prime Minister Hon. Philip Davis, Mrs. Kathryn Dillette, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Frederick Mitchell, Consul General Al Dillette
Joined by dignitaries from both The Bahamas and Canada, The Bahamas' prime minister, Philip Davis, presided over the grand opening of a new Consulate General in Toronto on 15APR. The new consulate, located at 2300 Yonge Street, is the first ever established by The Bahamas in Canada and is adjacent to The Bahamas Tourist Office.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a luncheon and Bahamian diaspora reception. John H.W. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, & Aviation, delivered remarks at the luncheon.
“The wonderful reality is that The Bahamas has a strong presence in a country that is brimming with opportunities for channeling investments to our homeland,” said Pinder.
“Canada has the ninth largest economy in the world. Unified in their efforts, the new Consulate General, in partnership with BTO Toronto, will prove to be a powerhouse in scoping out and bringing to fruition greater investment opportunities for our nation.”
The members of The Bahamas' delegation highlighted the country's steadily growing tourism numbers, plans for future growth and innovation, the beauty and appeal of its 16 islands, and the many reasons why The Bahamas continues to be a sought-after destination for Canadians.
Among the announcements was the unveiling of a year-long 2023 calendar of events and festivities celebrating The Bahamas’ 50th year of independence. The calendar can be accessed here.
Members of The Bahamas delegation expressed optimism about Canadian tourism to the islands in the year ahead. Canadian traffic to The Bahamas has seen an increase of 223 per cent in the first two months of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022.
In addition, Canadians are the top market for repeat visits to The Bahamas, with the Canadian repeat visitor rate standing at 54 per cent.
With Air Canada, WestJet, and Sunwing set to expand their service to The Bahamas this fall/winter with daily flights to NAS and weekly flights to GGT and FPO, lift for Canadians to the islands of The Bahamas continues to rise to meet demand.
