SCOTCH PLAINS, New Jersey – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is partnering with former Fox News correspondent and CNN news anchor, Andria Hall to promote faith tourism in the Islands of the Bahamas this November 30 through December 3, 2006.
Hall, president of the New Jersey-based SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. communications firm, will target the highly sought-after women of faith demographic, when she produces First Ladies First: The Quiet Whispers in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, attracting the wives of pastors and preachers, women in ministry, women of faith, and women who walk in integrity from the New York tri-state area and beyond.
“The trend in advertising and marketing these days is to reach as many niche markets as possible, and if they can all be found at one event – all the better,” said Hall, who noted that the Bahamas conference reaches high income earning women, US minorities and the faith community.
“Advertisers and sponsors from Madison Avenue to Main Street are truly beginning to understand that it is simply smart business practice to pursue niche markets,” she added, explaining that according to the US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, faith tourism is a US$1.1 billion industry which American companies are aggressively targeting.
According to The Buying Power of Black America’s 2005 annual report, black households had $679 billion in earned income in 2004, an increase of 3.5% over the $656 billion earned in 2003. A 2002 study estimates that 53% of 36 million African Americans regularly attend church, slightly higher than the national average. Although only 15% of Blacks listen to gospel radio stations, more than 70% of those who do are homeowners, and 17% have household incomes of US$75,000 or greater.
Hall, who is an author, speaker and New York radio host, wants the Caribbean to pay attention to the faith market as countries like Israel, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Turkey continue to promote and benefit from religious and cultural tourism initiatives. “The Bahamas has taken a lead role with its inspiring “Worship Bahamas” program, and we’re thrilled to be working with such Spirit-led leadership,” she said.
The conference – which will include an intimate praise and worship concert with New Jersey based singing siblings “Double Edge”, both of whom originally hail from Freeport – also features interactive seminars on issues specific to women in ministry, intimate sessions to discuss the unique role of The First Lady, and many other topics relevant to today’s Christian woman. Local women are encouraged to attend.
First Ladies First, produced by SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A., is sponsored and supported by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Hartmann Luggage, TrenMedia and WMCA Radio.
