The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday voiced concerns that the partial US government shutdown may “throw a wrench” in expectations for a first quarter surge in stopover visitor arrivals.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism, said it remained to be seen how the political impasse in a nation that generates 80 percent of The Bahamas’ air arrivals will impact travel from the US with stopovers projected to be up 16 percent year-over-year for January and February.

“While at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) things are seemingly normal, one is always concerned at how long that normalcy will remain in place,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

“Obviously people travelling to The Bahamas from the United States are being now advised to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight departs because a number of the security channels have been shut down. I’m always worried that people want to book a holiday but, with all the confusion and drama, may put off their travel until everything settles.

The partial US government shutdown, which has now lasted for 25 days, shows no sign of ending with both president Donald Trump and his Democratic opponents digging themselves into increasingly uncompromising, hardline positions over the former’s demand that Congress approve $5.7bn in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Mr Trump is refusing to sign-off on any legislation to fund the US government without this financing, and the Democrats are refusing to provide any monies. Some 800,000 US federal employees remain at home without pay as a result, with no end to the controversy in sight.

Mr D’Aguilar added: “Right now we’re expecting air arrivals in January to be up 16 percent; air arrivals in February, 16 percent; March to be down by two percent because Easter falls in April this year; and April to be up by 16 percent.

“We’re expecting a very robust first quarter. I’m very encouraged that tourism remains hot and things continue to grow. I don’t want this government shutdown to throw a wrench in what should be very excellent first quarter.”