The Ministry of Tourism is stepping up its effort to market The Bahamas as a leading destination, hosting African-American journalists in Grand Bahama over the weekend hoping to gain a better grip on their audience.

Starting today, half a dozen representatives from media organizations geared towards black America will engage in a range of activities on the island, with intentions of reporting their experiences to readers numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

"This particular (junket) targets high net income individuals in the northeast U.S. market," MOT's News Bureau Chief Edwin Lightbourn told Guardian Business. "Our aim is to drive business to our destination."

This trip, one of about six Tourism will host this year tailored to the African-American market, is part of an ongoing promotional strategy to keep North American tourists flocking to our shores despite the economic woes on their doorsteps. It also holds the potential to boost slumping visitor arrival numbers to Grand Bahama. Represented will be the Philadelphia Tribune, Rolling Out, Afro-American Newspapers and the Heart & Soul magazine.