The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The FNM’s deputy leader yesterday slammed what he described as the Government’s “startling lack of urgency” over Grand Bahama’s tourism “freefall”.

K P Turnquest, the east Grand Bahama MP, said: “Things in Grand Bahama are seemingly going from bad to worse.  The lack of urgency that appears to be coming from the Government is startling, and very disappointing to Grand Bahamians.

“We haven’t heard any public statements as to what the Government is doing or seen any evidence of any urgency in their actions. It’s very disappointing and something that  they need to pay attention to immediately.

“The tourism sector on Grand Bahama seems to be in a freefall and no one is saying anything as to when the public can expect a positive intervention.”

Last week,  Grand Bahama’s already-reeling tourism economy was dealt a fresh blow after Vacation Express announced it was cancelling all services to the island for summer 2017.

The withdrawal was said to have been sparked by a lack of available guest accommodation due to the closures of both the Memories and Grand Lucayan properties, which has taken 1,500 rooms out of the hotel sector’s inventory.

The pull-out was disclosed in a February 21, 2017, e-mail sent to members of Grand Bahama’s business community by Carmel Churchill, director of marketing services for the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board.

The e-mail, which was seen by Tribune Business, disclosed that the Board was working feverishly with the Ministry of Tourism “to minimise the void” left by Vacation Express’s withdrawal.

Mr Turnquest said yesterday: “At this point we believe that Hutchison needs to be given incentives, or strongly encouraged to do the renovations and and repairs necessary to open the hotels, even while they seek a buyer, if that is in fact the decision at this point.

“We cannot just allow those hotels to sit here while Bahamians are out of work and unable to meet their obligations. This is unforgivable. Our economy was suffering prior to the hurricane and if things aren’t rectified soon we are going to see further knock-on effects.”