The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

CONCERN persists on Exuma over potential tourism fall-out from the recent boating tragedy, although the island's Chamber of Commerce president says there have been no mass cancellations yet.

"Predictably there are some concerns about what impact this accident would have on their business. To this point there's been no mass cancellations, but concerns are being expressed both nationally and internationally," said Pedro Rolle.

Exuma's largest tour operator, Four C's Adventures, has been issued a cease and desist order to suspend operations pending an investigation into the accident that killed one American woman, caused another to lose both of her legs and injured nine other people.

The group was touring with when one of the boat's engines exploded, police said. The explosion happened within minutes of the tour's launch.

"It appears the immediate concern is not so much the cancellation of existing bookings but the possibility of those who may have been considering or intending to book - would they still come or go elsewhere? Note that this accident occurred to one of our more professional and consistent operators, and it speaks to the need for continued vigilance in this industry both by operators and regulators," said Mr Rolle.