Tourism fury over fly fishing ‘tsunami’
A furious tourism industry is uniting to oppose the new Fly Fishing law and regulations, fearing it will cost the Bahamas millions of dollars and “further erode the competitive position” of the sector.
Conviction quash: Flowers sees licence obstacle removed
FML web shop boss, Craig Flowers, yesterday saw a potential obstacle to obtaining a gaming licence eliminated when the Court of Appeal quashed his prior criminal conviction.
Web shop operators mull ‘discrimination’ lawsuit against banks
Bahamian web shop operators may sue the Canadian-owned commercial banks for “discrimination” over their refusal to accept deposits from a legalised gaming sector, a well-known QC said yesterday.
Insurers gain ‘last minute’ extension over VAT credits
The Bahamian insurance industry was yesterday granted a ‘last-minute’ two-week extension for the filing of its first Value-Added Tax (VAT) ‘credits’ claim, a leading executive acknowledging the sector “didn’t get everything we wanted”.
Hotel industry wants Cuba ‘National plan’
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) yesterday called for a National Plan to counter Cuba’s eventual opening to US tourists, warning that this nation’s “stronghold markets” will be endangered by its western neighbour.
OPINION: Baha Mar’s woes - an educated guess
With all sides tight-lipped, it is almost impossible for Bahamians to know what is really happening with the $3.5 billion Baha Mar project.
Gov’t unveils its CLICO solution
The Government is proposing to “pay out” all CLICO (Bahamas) annuity holders and transfer insurance policyholders to a new company by year-end, Tribune Business can reveal.
Insurers ‘very frustrated’ over VAT uncertainty
A “very frustrated” Bahamian insurance industry is still trying to obtain clarity on Value-Added Tax (VAT) credits just weeks before it must submit those claims, one leading executive warning yesterday: “The clock is ticking.”
QC slams selection of Bimini as ‘model PPP’
An outspoken QC has slammed the selection of Bimini as a model tourism public-private partnership (PPP), arguing that the Resorts World project was “completely divorced from a harmonious relationship” with local Bahamians.
Bahamas develops ‘multi-destination’ product with Cuba
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that the Christie administration is working with the Cuban government to develop a “multi-destination” travel arrangement with the Bahamas, emphasising he was not concerned about losing stopover visitors to its western neighbour.
Drone import controls sparking operator fears
A Cabinet Minister yesterday moved to allay fears among aerial cinematographers and drone operators that the Government’s Customs Management Act amendments would prevent them fulfillimng work orders by preventing equipment imports.
Banker: Tourism needs ‘first class’ infrastructure
A top Caribbean banker has warned the Bahamas to ensure its infrastructure remains “first class” for its tourism industry to remain competitive.
Citizen involvement key to transparency
Engaging citizens is vital to promoting greater transparency and curbing corruption, Transparency International’s regional director calling for civic groups to offer solutions rather than merely be seen as “angry activists”.
Cuba: Immediate threat to 20% of Bahamas’ visitors
Cuba’s opening will immediately threaten more than 20 per cent of the Bahamas’ stopover visitor market, it has been revealed, amid calls for a ‘tourism trade agreement’ with the US to mitigate the impact of its ‘diplomatic reset’ with Havana.
Ex-Minister wants Chinese currency hub ‘within a year’
A former Financial Services Minister yesterday urged the Government to establish an operational Chinese currency trading platform within 12 months, and not let “a great opportunity pass us by.”
