Bedford Baker Group | Global Tourism & Hospitality Advisors

"Hospitality is the art of making others feel good in your presence."

There are arguably no businesses on earth with more variables than Tourism and Hospitality. Despite these complexities, our BedfordBakerGroup provides the guidance needed to optimize the benefits through proven advisory services to both destinations and their associated private sector businesses all with unwavering reverence for sustainability, the environment and cultures.

Technology & the Human Touch

"The highest value of technology in tourism and hospitality arises from its capacity to enable personal services to become even more personal."

Effective use of technology and the internet—the most efficient information distribution tool ever created—requires the best platforms. But we never forget that there is nothing as important as the human touch. We use sophisticated data and analytics to enhance, not replace, the personalized guest experience. Because nothing can.

Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, CBE

Principal Partner & Founder

We bring a rare dual-perspective to advisory services, with Vincent having successfully led both the region's single largest private hospitality company and later, the region's largest public sector tourism organization. Every Bedford Baker assignment delivers a bespoke set of solutions with team members selected according to the specific needs of the client.There is no one size fits all in Tourism and Hospitality.

Director-General and Minister of Tourism & Aviation (The Bahamas): Oversaw the fastest GDP growth and lowest level of unemployment in The Bahamas' recorded history and established the Islands of The Bahamas logo, a visual representation of the breadth of the archipelago. The era marked a tourism renaissance described by the travel community as "The Bahamas Bounces Back".
Secretary General & CEO (Caribbean Tourism Organization): Led the "Life Needs the Caribbean" initiative and established the official Caribbean logo under a harmonious public-private sector relationship. All because "the Caribbean is the world's best known unowned brand".
BedfordBakerGroup Strategic Advisor: Member of the teams that produced Tourism Master Plans for Curacao and Turks & Caicos, the two fastest growing destinations in the region for stayover visitors (2019-2024).

Some Awards & Recognition

• Awarded a CBE by Her Majesty the Queen for contributions to tourism.
• Fast 50 Global Champions of Innovation – Fast Company Magazine.
• 50 Most Influential People in Caribbean Tourism (Past 50 Years).
• Person of the Year for the Caribbean – Travel Agent Magazine.
• Top 25 Extraordinary Mind - Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association.
• Lifetime Achievement Awards from both HSMAI and ATME.

Education

Harvard BA (cum laude) | U of Miami MBA (Top of Class)

Some Insights & Solutions Delivered

Solving complex challenges with proven, innovative solutions.

Digital Strategy

Digital Tools for a Digital Age

Foresight enabled The Bahamas to become the only country on earth that owned its natural URL "Bahamas.com" from inception and the toll-free # 1-800-BAHAMAS, both the easiest to remember. We ensured easy access and optimal platforms for travelers.

Revenue Management

Maximizing Room Rates

We advised a client to back-calculate from the likely selling prices by tour operators to establish their net rates. The process resulted in odd looking net rates but they added hundreds of thousands of dollars to the client's bottom line.

Crisis Management

Making The Wrong Number Right

When a printer produced thousands of materials with the wrong telephone number for a client, we acquired the "wrong" number immediately. That number has since become the public facing number for the resort, turning a potentially embarrassing failure into the primary contact line.

Brand Strategy

Caribbean Tourism Development Co.

United marketing efforts of the public (CTO) and private (CHTA) sectors to allow the region to speak with one voice and one logo. Again, because "the Caribbean is the world's best known unowned brand".

Human Capital

From Last Choice to Among the First Choices

Through "Adopt A School" and several other public education programs, over 11 years, we shifted parental comfort for their children pursuing tourism careers from 17% to 70%. That change in mind set is critically important for tourism dependent economies.

Crisis Communication

Eliminating Weather Confusion

Established a Weather Conference for global meteorologists to travel to The Bahamas to ensure better understanding of the region's geography. it resulted in more detailed and accurate reporting of hurricane paths thereby protecting business for destinations not under threat.

Our Services

Elegant, valuable, and time-tested solutions.

Community Programs

Designed effective programs in schools and communities to ensure local buy-in and sustainability. We never forget that Tourism is the only business in the world that potentially affects and is affected by every member of the community.

Policy & Legislation

Creating effective pieces of legislation to address thorny issues and support economic growth all with a rigorous eye on sustainability. A good example of this was the Cruise Ship Overnighting Act that doubled the time spent by ships in the Port of Nassau without doubling the environmental impact.

Data & Analytics

Using sophisticated software to turn terabytes of data into actionable insights. Analyzed 2.8 million immigration cards for the country of Curacao and assisted in executing the marketing and operational experiences derived from those insights.

Marketing Management

Identifying and managing the most important factors from among the complex variables of tourism and hospitality to ensure positive visitor and guest experiences. For example, the demographics and psychographics for nearer by prospects are generally much different compared to those from farther away.

Select Clients

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC)

Resorts International Bahamas

Caribbean Tourism Organization

Carnival Corporation

Curacao Tourist Board

Mayaguana Island Developers

Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board

Paradise Island Airlines

Paradise Island Tourism Development Association

Norman's Cay, Exuma, Development, Bahamas

Paradise Island Vacations

Private Airport Developments

Private Resort Developments

Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Office

Turks & Caicos Tourist Board

Leading Global Strategies for Tourism & Hospitality