Bahamas on the Coast!

Tourism on the Gold Coast is likely to be marketed in a similiar way to any 'beach destination' around the world. I had a look at the Ministry of Tourism campaigns in the Bahamas to get some ideas. As we are focusing on a national campaign which basically means exposing interstaters to the Gold Coast, perhaps we could make it more intimate and friendly so that travellers feel like they are visiting friends in a new location.

From a photographic perspective, maybe images encompassing a local (with his name and details underneath)doing something he does every day but a tourist may find different or exciting. For example, bushwalking in the Hinterland with a caption such as "come walk in my backyard..."

Although this campaign in the Bahamas is more focused on one-on-one interaction, it may have some merit. Have a read and a look at the website if you think this may be something to consider"

Buddy Up in the Bahamas: A Cultural Tour
By Bill Belleville

"People to People" is a program created by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism intended to give visitors, in their words, "a genuine and informal view of Bahamian hospitality and culture as you might see it when visiting a friend."

The program relies on Bahamian volunteers—many of them professionals—who agree to spend time with visitors in the spirit of international goodwill. You register for the free program by contacting coordinators at least three weeks prior to your visit, and giving them a bit of information about yourself, including age, personal hobbies, occupation, and special areas of interest in the Bahamas. The coordinators then match up locals to fit those profiles.

For instance, during a recent visit to Cat Island, I met Sylvia Larramore-Crawford, a writer from Nassau who greatly appreciated Cat's own cultural nuances. We drove around and met her neighbors, had lunch and dinner at her house, and later, visited a local club where Sylvia knew everyone, musicians and customers alike. We were even invited to church with Sylvia on Sunday (unfortunately, we had to leave before then
http://away.com/tripideas/bahamas-cultural-immersion-312628.html

KylieB