By Bahamas Information Services

HOPE TOWN - Secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization Francesco Frangialli said on June 6, 2006, that his day-long tour of the Abacos was a good opportunity to see the varied Bahamian tourism product.

Mr. Frangialli was in The Bahamas for Tourism's "Building Resilience in Small Island Developing States" conference, held June 7-9 at the Wyndham Nassau Resort under the theme, "Maximizing Economic Benefits and Sustaining Tourism Development."

Director of Tourism for the Abacos Jeritzen Outten, Senior Director for Training and Education Samuel Gardiner and Abaco Tourism representative Michelle Mikula accompanied Mr. Frangialli during visits to Hope Town, Man-O-War Cay and Marsh Harbour, and a site visit of the Abaco Club at Winding Bay.

At Hope Town, the delegation walked through the historical settlement, viewing landmarks and visiting sites such as the candy-striped Hope Town Lighthouse and the Wyannie Malone Museum.

Mr. Frangialli said Hope Town is an "exceptionally beautiful place" and was impressed by the efforts to preserve the settlement's heritage.

"Even with a short visit, you have an impression that the local communities feel very concerned about it," he said.

As far as tourism is concerned, Mr. Frangialli said he felt that any development on the cay must be done in a very careful and controlled manner.

"It is not a place for mass tourism, but I am sure that people are still concerned about the link between heritage, culture and the environment and this is a place for that," he said.

The delegation then visited Man-O-War Cay, where Mr. Frangialli was given a demonstration of boat building at Albury Brothers Boat Builders, woodworking at Joe's Studio and making items, such as bags and hats, from canvas at Albury's Sail Shop.

Mr. Frangialli said that he was pleased to visit the cay because it was similar, yet very different, from Hope Town.

"It gives one a better impression of what used to be the life of people of, I would say, a century ago and it is interesting for the visitors," he said.

"I was interested to learn that they (the businesses) are small family companies. You have the tradition of the generations, sisters and brothers, working together. That's good because it keeps the traditions from the past and they are able to adapt that to the needs and the demands of the new consumers, who are the visitors. So keeping the traditions and adapting for a new market is, I think, very important."

After leaving Man-O-War Cay, the delegation briefly sailed along the coastline of Marsh Harbour, before returning to the mainland for a site visit of the Abaco Club on Winding Bay.

Sales and Membership representative Anastacia Storr led the delegation on a tour of the 520-acre property and its amenities, including the internationally-recognized golf course, clubhouse, cabanas and cottages. Ms. Storr said she was excited having the WTO Secretary-general visit the property and offered his organization a proposition.

"He is a very warm gentleman and it's been a pleasure having him here and we would like to have him again," she said.

"Seeing that they are going to be playing golf in China sometime next week, maybe they will consider using our 'tropical links' course the next time."

Mr. Frangialli said Abaco still has an important potential for development.

"I have seen that with the Abaco Club, which is still under construction (of further cabanas and cottages)," Mr. Frangialli said. "Since this potential starts to be exploited now, it means that you can do it in maybe a better way than what would have been done 10 or 15 years ago, when there was less awareness about the need of sustainable development and not only the perspective of the short-term achievement; but I suppose this will be something we will be discussing tomorrow in the conference."

Director Outten said that it was a pleasure to host Mr. Frangialli and, felt that he had a good time, even though it was hectic.

"I think he seemed to be really surprised as to how much you can find in this one destination," she said.

Ms. Mikula said Mr. Frangialli's visit to the Abacos was a good opportunity for the islands to showcase their diversity and was honoured that the islands were chosen for his visit.

"I personally feel privileged and blessed (at his visit) and it speaks a lot for the island itself," she said. "We are doing something good here."

"I think it was a good opportunity for him to get a taste of what The Bahamas has to offer, right in one destination, The Abacos," Director Outten added.

Mr. Gardiner said that Mr. Frangialli's visit to The Bahamas, in general, is very important to the country and Caribbean region as it is part of the Secretary-general's policy to visit new countries.

"I think that is fitting for us, in The Bahamas, as a leader in the region, to be hosting him," Mr. Gardiner said. "The extra day we had we wanted him to see more of The Bahamas. We didn't want him to get the impression that The Bahamas was just Nassau, and Nassau only, and so we took him to see one of the prime jewels in the crown, and that is Abaco, and he appears to have had a wonderful time."

Mr. Frangialli said he was pleased with the tour because it gave him a first impression about The Bahamas.

"But I am still very careful with my judgment," Mr. Frangialli said at the end of the day-trip.

"I understand, first of all, that Abaco is a very big island and also that, in The Bahamas, each of the islands is a destination in itself and has got its own specificity and personality; so you cannot pretend to have a full picture after one day."