Group Destination Services Group Destination Services (GDS) is a team of travel professionals within the Groups Department at the Ministry of Tourism. We provide destination management assistance to both in-bound and locally-based groups, meetings and conferences, who may require help. This tem is base in both Nassau and Grand Bahama Isdland.(GBI), with liaisons with Ministry of Tourism Offices in Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island & Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera and George Town, Exuma. We are happy to assist clients who would otherwise not travel abroad or who may not have the skills and resources to plan, negotiate and execute a group travel program. The GDS team and the Ministry of Tourism are commitrted to serving our group clients and enhancing their travel experience. The GDS team provides and organizes the ollowing services: - Arranges and faciitates comprehensive site inspections for meeting and incentive planners in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and selected Family Islands. - Assists in the overall planning and vendor selection of conferences, meetings, incentive trips and symposiums. - Liaises with other Bahamas Government Ministries andagencies such as Immigration, Customs and Foreign Affairs. This is done for many groups, in order to secure special treatment, customs waivers, temporary work permits, entertainment union waivers, V.I.P. and diplomatic handling. - Assists with religious, fraternal and affiliation-based groups travelling to The Bahaams, many of whom have local hosts and chapters. - Provides Meet and Greet services at all airports an cruise ports. Also provides special assistance or departure procedures and transfers between domestic and international terminals, V.I.P. handling and group representative access to arrival halls. Offers hospitality and information desk hosting at airports, hotels and other venus, to provid group participants with local brochures and booklets, maps, etc. - Obtains permission and organizes the hanging of banners and placards at airports and cruise spots throughout the Islands of The Bahamas. - Works with ground operators to ensure smooth and flawless operations of group programs. - Arranges and requests speakers from the Ministry of Tourism, other Ministries or the private sector, to welcome or address a specific group. We also make requests for couretesy calls on The Governor-General, ministers and other officials. - Arranges sponsorship and distribution of tourism welcome kits to groups as well as welcome letters from Ministries, etc. - Books and facilitates performances by The Royal Bahamas Polic Force Band, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band and arranges for The Royal Bahamas Police Force's Color Guard to attend ceremonies. - Creates and organizes sponsor's programs and specialized sightseeing tours and other leisure programs. - Books and plans excursions to the Family Islands and post-program extensions. - Secures offsite venues, either private orpublic, for group functions. - Liaises with The People-to-Pople Department at the Ministry of Tourism and plans People-to-People events (such as People-to-People Tea Parties) for group attendees. - Arranges Tea Parties at Government House and other cultural events and entertainment. - Arranges and co-ordinates expos and craft shows of Authentically Bahamian crafts and gift items for groups. Also arranges referrals to gift vendors for direct purchasing. - Organizes PR and local media exposure when applicable. Please note that some of the GDS services outlined above carry an expense or cost to the group's clients. Contact for the Ministry of Tourism's Group Destination Servceds in the Islands of The Bahamas include: In Nassau/Paradose Island: Mrs. Ingrid Bartlett; tel: (242) 302-2073; e-mail: ibartlett@bahamas.comIn Grand Bahama Island: Ms. Betty Bethel, tel: (242) 352-8044; e-mail: bbethel@bahamas.com In The Family Islands: please contact the local Tourism Representative. In the United States of America, our New York Office (212)758-2777; our Plantation Office: (954-236-9292) In Canada: (905)672-9017 In the United Kingdom: our London OFfice 011 44 20 7355 0800, our Paris office 011 331 45 26 6262