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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
KUUMBA Festival at the Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA, presented by TD Bank Group through the TD Ready Commitment, is Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival, embracing the rich tapestry of culture, diversity and creativity through a month-long celebration of Black cultural programming. Running from February 1–29, 2024

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Left to right: Steven Johnson, Director of Tourism, Canada & China | Anita Johnson-Patty, Director Global Communications | Janet Cuffie, Director Group Sales, North America | Paul Strachan, Executive Director Global Communications | Latia Duncombe, Director General | Valery Brown-Alce, Executive Director Global Sales | Vinincia Strachan, Senior Manager Romance Market | Ianta Stubbs, Assistant Manager, Global Communications | Stephen Wells, Assistant Manager, Global Communications

A well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by a robust slate of celebratory events, including a luncheon and Bahamian diaspora reception. The Honourable John H.W. Pinder II, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments, & Aviation, delivered remarks at the luncheon. On Monday, April 17th the Bahamas Tourist Office staff welcomed media and industry partners for a drop-in tour of the new premises.
 
Ribbon cutting 
 
Pinder said, “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.”  “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.”
 
Back row l to r: Investments Attache, Dwight Hart | Vice Consult, Gerald Wells | Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Dexter Johnson | Consul, Shelley V. Sweeting | Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. John H.W. Pinder II, MP | Executive Director Global Communications, Paul Strachan | Former Head of Chancery (Ottawa) Chanelle Brown | High Commissioner, V. Alfred Gray, HE Front row l to r: Consul General, Al Dillette | Prime Minister, Hon. Philip E. Davis, QC, MP | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Frederick Mitchell, MP
 
The attending delegates from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) included:
  • Newly appointed Consul General Al Dillette, empowered to oversee the Consulate’s mission to serve Canada’s strong Bahamian diaspora
  • Latia Duncombe, Director General
  • Paul Strachan, former Executive Director of Global Sales and newly appointed Executive Director of Global Communications
  • Valery Brown-Alce, newly appointed Executive Director of Global Sales
  • Steven Johnson, Director of Tourism, Canada & China
Over the course of the two-hour luncheon, the members of the delegation highlighted The Bahamas’ 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 most exciting announcements was the unveiling of a year-long 2023 calendar of events and festivities celebrating The Bahamas’ ’50th year of independence. Bahamians and prospective visitors are encouraged to view the calendar at https://celebrate-bahamas.com/. 
 
Concluding, the delegation expressed its  optimism for the year ahead. Canadian traffic to The Bahamas has seen an increase of 223 percent in the first two months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. With Air Canada, WestJet, and Sunwing set to expand their service to The Bahamas this fall/winter with daily flights to Nassau and weekly flights to Exuma and Grand Bahama Island, Canadians will find the destination more accessible than ever.
 
Latia Duncombe said, “We are so pleased to have Canadians returning to The Bahamas.  In fact, in 2022, the Canadian repeat visitor rate stood at 54% - the highest of the major source countries for The Bahamas.  Canadians visit. They come back again and again, and many have made The Bahamas their second home.”
 

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