David Benz, Media Director At Padi, Appointed Bahamas Dive Ambassador

The historic announcement was made by Ellison Thompson, Deputy Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & and Aviation (BMOTA), in light of Mr. Benz’ outstanding work in marketing, media relations, scuba diving, photography and his love for The Bahamas.

“This is a very special appointment for us,” said Thompson. “It signals our dual belief and commitment to sharing, protecting, preserving and promoting our beautiful environment and natural resources, which for us, are our pristine, crystal-clear waters and rich marine life.”

“Astronauts recently captured the waters of The Bahamas from outer space, and declared it to be the prettiest place on earth. Now, the world will also know of its astonishing underwater beauty, through Mr.Benz’ appointment and works,” said Mr. Thompson.

A resident of Gulf Breeze, Florida, David has spent more than 30 years working in the dive industry in underwater photography, dive travel and dive marketing. As Director, Media Group, PADI, the world’s leading scuba diver training organization, David connects with millions of diving professionals via the association’s 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts around the world and works with an impressive group of dive editors.

PADI Professionals make underwater exploration and scuba diving adventures possible while maintaining the highest standards for diver training, safety and customer service, through its philosophical lifestyle elements in education, experience, equipment and environmental conversation.

“The Bahamas holds a special place for me,” said David. “I have been visiting The Bahamas for over 30 years. It is in Guana Cay, where I got engaged to my wife back in 1999. And it is The Bahamas that holds my most memorable dive experience: a shark and dolphin dive with my wife and three daughters at UNEXSO in Grand Bahama.” Since then, David has visited Long Island, Cat Island, San Salvador, Nassau, Abaco, Andros, Bimini and the Exumas.

“What I love most about The Bahamas is its vastness in the number of islands and adventures one can experience over a lifetime. And of course, its people and diverse cultural experiences are what make The Islands of The Bahamas so special. What separates this destination from others is its marine biodiversity and topography and the fact that the archipelago offers one of the largest proliferations of pelagic fish in the eastern Caribbean,” David said.

“Given my position as the Director of the world’s largest dive media group, I see a unique opportunity to inform, educate and inspire a global audience of dive travelers through my photography and video as well as my ability to share my created photo and video content with the group of editors, who influence millions of dive travelers around the world,” he said.

As a Bahamas Dive Ambassador, David will work alongside officials of the BMOTA in promoting The Bahamas’ dive product, at tradeshows and on fam trips.

The Bahamas remains an unspoiled destination offering pristine, crystal clear turquoise waters, with visibility in some places exceeding 200 ft. in depth. The country’s diverse dive experiences, ranging from reef to wreck and exploration of underwater caves, to big animal encounters, are well known and have, over consecutive years, won top awards and recognition including Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards for Best Big Animals, Best Overall Destination, Best Cave Diving, Best Snorkeling, Best Value, Best Wreck Diving, Best Wall Diving, Best Advanced Diving, Best Photography, Best Shore Diving, Best Macro Life and Best Health of Marine Life.

Now open for business, visitors can enjoy the peace, serenity and security provided in The Bahamas’ 700- island chain. For further information and visitor entry requirements, visit www.bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Media Contact: D. Earnestine Moxyz | emoxyz@bahamas.com | 954-236-9292

Pictured is David Benz, the newly appointed Diving Ambassador for The Islands of The Bahamas.