Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper recently commented on the economic impact of Carnival’s Celebration Key. The new cruise port officially opened on the island of Grand Bahama back in July.

Mr. Cooper said, “Celebration Key is doing exceedingly well. I’ve spoken with the CEO of Carnival. He’s extremely pleased with how well its going. I’ve spoken with Navar and taxi drivers and other tour operators who are over the moon with how much traffic they are getting from Celebration Key.”

In order to spread the positive economic impact around the island the Minister says he is working closely with Celebration Key to ensure guests disembark ships to explore Grand Bahama. He said, “we’re sending the message that Celebration Key is lovely but Celebration Key is not Grand Bahama. So there’s the Celebration Key brand but the Ministry of Tourism is pushing Freeport, Grand Bahama from east to west. Whether it’s sitting on a sand bank in Sweetings Cay or whether it’s eating conch salad in West End or petting the stingrays, we’re sending the message that there’s life outside of Celebration Key.”

The government recently unveiled the Grand Bahama icon sign and expects other initiatives underway to attract more visitors to the island.