It may have been designed with COVID-19 in mind, but the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPD) sees its new app channel as a “permanent new addition” to its marketing arsenal for attracting and retaining visitors to the Bahamian capital and its surrounding region.
Available for free on both TVs and smart devices, the “first of its kind” app not only aims to deliver enticing images of Nassau and frequently updated videos, but other interactive features, such as a game.
“We wanted to find a way to reach fans of The Bahamas in a new way and are excited about the experiences we can bring to life through this new channel and the ability to reach over 100 million users,” says NIPD CEO Fred Lounsberry.
“We’re starting with scenes from places like Cabbage Beach and Clifton Heritage Park and hope people will stream the content and let the sounds and the beauty of the beaches bring a sense of relaxation, even for a moment,” he says.
Once viewers are relaxed from watching the waves, virtual vacationers can get active with family and friends with the “Bahamas Beach Ball Bopper” game. With the app open on the television or computer screen, players launch the game on their smart phone (be sure to allow access to the camera), then try to toss beach balls through the rings to gain the most points. The game can be used in conjunction with the beach shots, allowing for a full immersion into the Bahamas.
To connect with fans of The Bahamas even further, a new Virtual Bahamas Vacation hub has launched featuring several interactive components on NPIPB’s website NassauParadiseIsland.com:
Food & Drink Recipes: To bring the taste of the Bahamas home, aspiring chefs and mixologists can find recipes for dishes like conch salad, Bahamian-style mac and cheese and rum cake. To pair with the delicacies, there are also recipes for Bahamian cocktails.
Bahamas-Inspired Home Bar: A helpful infographic provides tips on which alcohol, mixers and glassware are needed to give the traditional bar cart major Caribbean vibes.
Virtual Backgrounds: Upgrade the next video conference call or family happy hour with imagery from Bahamian beaches to iconic cultural spots like Queen’s Staircase and the Government House.
#ItsAlwaysBeenBetter: Social media users are encouraged to use the hashtag #ItsAlwaysBeenBetter and post photos of their favourite memories from past trips for the chance to be featured within NPIPB marketing outreach.
Come Sail Away Playlist: The “Come Sail Away” playlist was curated on Spotify with songs that channel the nautical lifestyle and transport listeners to the calm seas.
Travel Quizzes: Travellers can learn more about their personalities and perhaps uncover experiences they wouldn’t have thought to plan with quizzes like “What Type of Travel Planner Are You?” and “Which Bahamas Resort is Best for Your Family?”
The app is available to download on Smart TVs through ROKU, Amazon Fire TV, and Google Play Store. Search Nassau Paradise Island.