The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Yet again the Tourism Minister has given rosy predictions about the revival of tourism. His previous pronouncements have not happened. His imposition of some of the harshest entry rules in the whole world have helped bring the major economic activity of The Bahamas to a state of near collapse. Even ardent supporters of The Bahamas such as our family who own a holiday property have not been able to visit for more than a year. We have been unable to complete all the onerous rules of tests, waiting for results, scanning the information for the Health Visa and finding flights that would take us there within the tight five day rule from the test. Most people cannot comply and are unwilling to endure the hassles.

Our travel agent who was formerly a great booster for your country is sending people elsewhere. The health professionals who want to clamp down on tourists have apparently won the argument over the financial people who look in great dismay at the near destruction of the main economic activity. Obviously this situation cannot go on for much longer. Yet the health people now want even people with both vaccine shots to endure restrictions. It should be remembered that it was not the tourists for the most part last summer who brought the virus as they all had to have tests. It was the Bahamians themselves whom the Government allowed to travel overseas for three days and not have to be tested to return home who brought the virus.

If the new revised rules are not far easier and without hassles there will be little revival of tourism. Most cruise passengers would also not want to be bothered with the expensive and time consuming process. Many flights will not resume. Lost in all of these travel rules has been any common sense. The mass unemployment which has been caused is destroying the future for Bahamians. Health professionals who are secure in their jobs need not worry. However the average Bahamian family continues to suffer hardship and the worst may be yet to come if things are not changed quickly.

DAVID CUNNINGHAM

USA

April 23, 2021.