CRUISE LINE PLAN FOR GB REVEALED: Xanadu hotel acquisition part of Royal Caribbean goal to transform harbour
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is eyeing the potential acquisition of Freeport's long-closed Xanadu Beach Hotel as part of plans to develop a resort and water park destination, it can be revealed.
Chamber elects new chairman
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has elected Timothy Ingraham to serve a two-year term as its new chairman.
Seaplane operators in call for Out Island infrastructure
Seaplane operators are urging Family Island resorts to install ramps to facilitate their operations and increase airlift to remote destinations.
Seaplane service must be properly regulated
A Family Island hotelier yesterday backed the use of seaplanes to increase airlift once such services are properly zoned and regulated.
Artificial Xmas trees enjoy ‘overwhelming’ sales jump
Sales of artificial Christmas trees have been “overwhelming” in the run-up to the holiday season with the premium pre-lit variety also sparking demand, vendors said yesterday.
GB Chamber chief is ‘positive’ on island’s investment outlook
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday said “positive” things are happening for the island’s economy despite strained relations between its quasi-governmental authority and the Government.
VAT ‘outlier’ status in up to 25% marina fall
Marinas are warning the “hesitancy” of foreign yacht charters to consider The Bahamas because of its status as a VAT “outlier” has caused a 20-25 percent business drop-off for some properties.
Only fear Business Licence audit if ‘something to hide’
Only businesses “with something to hide” should fear having to submit audited financial statements over their Business Licence renewal, a prominent gas station operator believes.
Gov’t on deficit track even if 2024 ‘slides’
The Government’s prior year performance gives confidence that it remains on track to eliminate the fiscal deficit even if 2023-2024 “slides” from its original targets, a governance reformer said last night.
Abaco slams Water Corp’s Dorian back-billing cut-offs
Furious Abaco residents yesterday slammed the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s move to launch mass pre-Christmas disconnections over bills dating back four years to Hurricane Dorian as “very inhumane”.
Dock construction starts to pave way for $50m resort
WORK has begun on a $1.5m cargo shipping dock that will pave the way for construction of a resort development in the Exuma cays.
Pipe maker to hire 90 for $1m plant build-out
A NEWLY-created PVC pipe manufacturer has pledged to hire more than 90 persons for the construction of its $1m Grand Bahama plant that is due to be completed by September 2024.
Petro versus luxury
ActivTrades
The petro fortunes from the Middle East are reshaping the latest list of the wealthiest families in the world. Oil billionaires, luxury dynasties and industrial tycoons are part of the list of the greatest fortunes. For the first time in a long time, there was a change at the top.
Gov’t wage bill’s $68m jump ‘not annual norm’
The Ministry of Finance's top official last night said the $68m year-over-year increase in compensation for government employees during the 2022-2023 fiscal year is "not an annual norm".
Promotion Board president urges 30% stopover focus
The Bahamas Out Island Promotions Board president yesterday urged the nation to near-double the proportion of stopover visitors that make up its tourism base to 30 percent.
