A major plan is in the works to not only boost New Providence’s tourism product but those of the Family Islands.

Addressing participants of the Out Islands Promotion Board’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said islands like Bimini, Exuma, Inagua and many others, “deserve the same amount of publicity as the capital.”

“What we want to do is ensure each island has a plan, because I do not like when we’re not treating the islands as equal to our capital city and Grand Bahama.”

According to Mr. Wilchcombe, his ministry will be working with local travel agencies to better promote the Family Islands.

He said changes will be noticeable within the next several weeks.

The minister also called for a more proactive approach when selling The Bahamas to foreign investors.

“We cannot allow for these islands to invite the investor and when the investor arrives he determines what he wants to do,” he said.

“The next thing you know we have the country going in a direction that’s not necessarily in its best interest.”

Meantime, Shavonne Darville was re-elected president of the Out Island Promotion Board for a third consecutive year.