The Grand Bahama International Airport opened on Sunday, September 26th, for commercial flights.  Daily flights are now arriving from South Florida:  six flights daily via Gulf Stream/Continental Connection five from FLL and one from WPB; and two flights from MIA, via American Eagle.

Bahamasair has resumed a minimum of three daily flights from Nassau and the twice daily flights from Fort Lauderdale.  The twice daily non-stop regional jet service from Atlanta by the Delta Connection is back in service and AirTran Airways will resume daily Atlanta/GBI service on October 14th and US Airways Charlotte/GBI by mid-November, 2004.
 
Carnival Cruise Lines has committed to resume calls to the island beginning October 24th. Discovery Sun is scheduled for its annual two weeks of dry dock service, as of October 19th and return November 3rd. Meanwhile, they will continue to call at 1:15pm daily, to provide assistance for the relief and restoration effort.

GBI hotels are scheduled to re-open quickly:
Currently open - Best Western Castaways, the Royal Islander Hotel, Pelican Bay Hotel and Suites at Lucaya, Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club, Island Palms, The Royal Palms and Island Seas Resort.
· October 14, 2004 - Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort
· October 14, 2004 - Isle of Capri Casino at Lucaya
· December 17, 2004 – The Westin at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort
· December 18, 2004 - Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach Resort
· TBA – Old Bahama Bay and Marina
· April 1, 2005 - The Crowne Plaza Golf and Casino Resort at the Royal Oasis
    Attractions and Activities are coming on-stream daily:
· Kayak Nature Tours, UNEXSO and the Dolphin Experience, the Perfume Factory, Lucayan Marina Village, Port Lucaya Marketplace, and Port Lucaya Marina are open for business.
· TBA – Parrot Jungle’s Garden of the Groves; International Bazaar
 

Special Events - 2004
The new dates for the GBI Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Festival is October 14 - 17, 2004 and will be hosted at the Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort.  Producer Bill Lockett reported that approximately 400 packages previously sold by Festivals and Travel, Inc. will be honoured on the new dates.  The other participating hotels will be the Pelican Bay Hotel and Suites and Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club.  Headliners include:  Peabo Bryson, Najee, John Lucien featuring Wayne Henderson of the Jazz Crusaders; and the Impressions. www.grandbahama.bahamas.com

Conchman 2004, the 16th Annual Grand Bahama Conchman Triathlon will take place on Taino Beach, November 6th, 2004. www.conchman.com

The NCAA Division Women’s Basketball Tournament, ‘Second Annual Grand Bahama Junkanoo Jam’ featuring Duke, Illinois State, Kansas State, Stephen F. Austin, Akron, Florida, Iowa and Oklahoma, November 22 – 27th; The Sixth Annual Tabernacle Academy Basketball Tournament will be held November 23 -28, 2004. www.basketballtravelers.com