Draconian measures

As of Wednesday, March 31, 2021

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Our family have been longtime property owners in The Bahamas and have always enjoyed holidays in your country. However this past year my wife and myself and our parents have been unable to make the journey because of all the rules which your Government has implemented. They are draconian and yet despite all the complaints we keep reading in The Tribune are set to continue. We had hoped because of the dire situation in the tourism sector that they would be eased. We all must have COVID-19 PCR tests to arrive so why is there such a panic about visitors?

Our family travel agent called us yesterday to say that cruises were set to resume with Bahamas-only itineraries. However we are told all passengers must be vaccinated as well as obtaining the complicated Health Visa.

Our agent thought that we could combine a cruise with a stay at our property. However, she says all the hassles involved in coming to The Bahamas are turning off all prospective visitors.

The Bahamas was formerly the prime southern destination for our agency.

However, as a result of all the hassles involved in travelling there they have had no bookings at all this past year. They are sending clients to other countries where entry is far easier.

What market research was ever done before all the rules were proclaimed?

They have proven to be a complete business disaster.

The Health Visa should be eliminated and the time from taking a test to arrival of only five days should be lengthened.

Many of your stalwart visitors simply cannot get the test and undertake all the bureaucratic rules and be there in five days especially as there are not many test centres nearby and so few flights going to Nassau.

We are surprised that the business community has not been at the forefront to demand change as your economy is in a dire state with the collapse of tourism.

We are wondering when we will ever see our property if this situation continues.

DAVID R CUNNINGHAM

Augusta, Maine, USA

March 29, 2021.

proudloudandfnm 3 years ago

At least this one aint Canadian....

What's this dude want? For us to follow his country and just let the virus run rampant and kill thousands????

smh.....

Bout draconian... Bet he's a republican....

Alan1 3 years ago

The gentleman has made valid points. Insulting people who had enough confidence in The Bahamas to purchase a property and live here part of the year should not happen. We have always treated visitors in a kind and courteous manner. The lack of tourists should be a concern for everyone. I know several people who cannot complete all the requirements and be in Nassau within five days. Lack of test centres near where they live, test results taking a long time to arrive even by email, submitting all the Health Visa forms and not knowing when they get permission to travel and then finding a flight or connecting flights in coordination with the approval of the Health Visa all create too much uncertainty. So few flights these days as a result. Most people cannot be bothered with all these hassles. Insulting people does not get us anywhere. Our visitors come from many areas not just big cities near us where travelling to us may be easier to complete.