Ministry of Tourism Updates
Over 100 meteorologists visit Grand Bahama Island through Weather Conference
By Ministry of Tourism - GBI
Apr 9, 2008 - 2:59:39 PM

Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Rt. Hon. Neko Grant gives opening remarks at the 12th Annual Bahamas Weather Conference.

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Neko Grant on Thursday officially opened the 12th Annual Weather Conference, which brought more than 100 meteorologists to Grand Bahama Island, and promises to feed almost 200 broadcasts to North America and Europe from the island.

The conference provides the Bahamas with exposure to international audiences during coveted news broadcast times. Media experts have pegged the marketing value to the Bahamas in the millions of dollars.

However, Minister Grant pointed out that even outside of the conference dates, the meteorologists greatly affect the Bahamas and its potential visitors. This is especially true during when hurricanes are active, he said.

Minister Grant said the meteorologists’ attention to detail is what makes a difference to the lives of Bahamians.

“As Minister of Tourism, I also know what your reporting means to our economy,” he said. “A hurricane that is projected to brush pass Acklins on its way to the Gulf of Mexico is quite different than a storm that is aimed at Abaco. One is likely to affect Grand Bahama’s vacation, and one is not.”

Hurricane Specialist Max Mayfield shares some words with Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Rt. Hon. Neko Grant at the 12th Annual Bahamas Weather Conference.

The Weather Conference emphasizes the vast expanse of the Bahamas – 700 islands spread over 100,000 square miles. For the past 12 years meteorologists have been reminded that tropical storms and hurricanes that affect one Bahamian island or a group of islands would not necessarily affect other islands.

“As a resident of Grand Bahama Island, I know what it is to watch and wait for the approach of a hurricane,” Minister Grant said. “I can tell you how important it is that when we flip from channel to channel for the latest from our own Basil Dean or Donna Duncombe or our neighbors in the United States that what we see and hear as it relates to weather updates are geographically precise.

“We are not cavalier about hurricanes in the islands of the Bahamas, but I can tell you that I am not putting up storm shutters if I hear that a hurricane is simply in the Bahamas. On the other hand, if I hear that a hurricane is going to blow over our colleague Silbert Mills in Abaco, I can tell you that I am going to get my constituents and myself ready.”

Meteorologists will also get a chance to engage Bill Reid, who was recently appointed director of the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami. Max Mayfield, the immediate past director of the NHC, now serves as consultant to the Bahamas Weather Conference.

The conference continues at Westin & Sheraton at Our Lucaya until Saturday, April 12.

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