FREEPORT, Bahamas -- Saturday, 23rd June, 2012 Store owners, operators and vendors, “Could be in for a busy season ahead,” said Ian Rolle, President of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) during a recent walk-about of the newly constructed mini Bahamian Shopping Village, located in Downtown’s Churchill Square.

“Since the completion of our Downtown Revitalization Project we have been working vigorously with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT), the interim Downtown Freeport Business Association (DFBA) and local tour companies, to make the area an attraction point for cultural activities and tours.” Rolle commented, “The recent hosting of the Downtown Festivals and Rush for Peace events have definitely emphasized the area’s potential as a premier site for such activities,” he concluded.

Grand Bahama Nature Tours (GBNT) are expected to commence a new tour for Carnival Cruise Lines in conjunction with the Bahamian Brewery  Co. Ltd. which is to include visits to the new Bahamian Shopping Village in Churchill Square. The tours are slated to begin this coming July and according to Erika Gates of GBNT, the Bahamian Village is a welcomed addition to the Downtown area. "The new kiosks are wonderful! They are colorful, attractive, and the operators offering light demonstrations, add an authentic appeal that guests will find interesting and enjoyable," says Gates. "The revitalization project has served the area well; it has seamlessly blended the old with the new and this segment of the tour will complement the brewery tour nicely," she continues.

Guest participating in the new brewery tour will leave Freeport Harbour and arrive at the Bahamian Brewery Co. Ltd to receive a tour of its factory and beverage product tasting. They will then leave the brewery and arrive at Downtown for a tour of the area, and shopping opportunity in the mini Bahamian Shopping Village.

Commercial Manager in the Business Development Department, Mr. Charles Pratt shared, that the GBPA initiative has been well over a year in the making. It incorporates ideas from all partners MOT, GBPA, DFBA and local tour companies.  “Creating opportunities for commerce and economic activity has been the objective of this exercise,” he states. “We are pleased with the progress thus far and look forward to additional tours coming on stream not only for Downtown, but the International Bazaar as well. We are all committed to seeing the island’s economy strengthened,” Pratt shared.