By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Senior FN Reporter

lededra@nasguard.com

Grand Bahama played host to 26 Fixed Based Operators (FBO) on Thursday for what was the first leg of a familiarization trip to The Bahamas.

FBOs provide special services to those travelling by private jet.

"It's like a concierge service like what you would have at a hotel, Earl Miller of the Bahamas Tourist Office explained. "Instead of going to the government airport you would go to an FBO where most of the private jets go."

An FBO also provides limo services and makes special hotel reservations for those requiring such perks.

Miller points out that this service is important to clients flying on corporate jets because they do not want to be in the crowd, prefer first-class treatment and having everything at their beck and call.

"This market is huge for us. It plays a vital role in our economy simply because these individuals that we're going after have the mode of transportation to travel when they want to and that's perfect for the out islands because the scheduled carriers are limited," he said.

The group that was brought in by the Ministry of Tourism office this time around are a part of the aviation industry. The trip was intended to allow those in the business first-hand knowledge of The Bahamas and the procedures their customers will experience.

Miller said by taking the familiarization trip, the FBOs will be able to answer any questions ahead of time which their clients may have.

"What we try to do here is collectively get all of the FBOs in Florida, which is our number one market, coupled with FBOs from around the U.S. and Canada, (and) bring them down to show them what we have to offer in the islands of The Bahamas."

The group met with Bahamas Customs and Immigration officials yesterday, learned how easy it is to clear both departments and had many of the myths they had on the procedures here answered.

The FBOs also sampled our Bahamian cuisine during a luncheon at the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.

Terrance Roberts, Director of Business Development for Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, revealed that the private flying market is larger in Grand Bahama than some of the air carriers.

In fact, he noted that the island's in-bound numbers are significant when it comes to private flying.

The presence of one of the largest aviation schools in Florida means that The Bahamas has a great opportunity to expose more people flying into the islands of The Bahamas, he added.

"Grand Bahama is excited because we're the first stop, we're the gateway and we feel that as a tourism destination you get a taste of all of the islands of The Bahamas right here in Grand Bahama Island," he said.

Billy Floreal, manager of marketing and programme delivery centre for professional education at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, says they work mainly with companies, governments and aviation organizations.