The tourism sector in Grand Bahama is expected to get a welcome boost this month with the arrival of the century-old tall ship, the Alexander Von Humboldt.

The ship, which is nicknamed “the green lady” thanks to its distinctive emerald sails, arrived in Freeport mid-March after a two month journey from her home port of Bremerhaven in Germany.

The 106 year old ship was used as a training vessel in Germany and will now be operated and owned by Grand Bahama Nature Tours. It will be used as a tourist attraction, for hosting cocktail receptions and functions, and to train Bahamian sailors.

According to Grand Bahama Nature Tours owner Erika Gates, the ship has already attracted a lot of interest with Carnival Cruise Line signing on for twice daily coastal cruises.

Gates expects the ship to bring in an extra 500 to 800 guests a week. “This will be great for the Grand Bahama tourism product,” she says. “We look at it as opportunity.

“We are trying to think of new ways of entertaining visitors.”

cmorris@dupuch.com