NIB makes $47m in COVID distributions
The National Insurance Board (NIB) has to-date paid out more than $38m in benefits to unemployed workers impacted by COVID-19, a Cabinet minister confirmed yesterday. Brensil Rolle, pictured , minister for the public service with responsibility for
IAN FERGUSON: How to deliver quality amid COVID-19 crisis
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, and governments mandate, that we wear masks and exercise social distancing in all public spaces. Engaging customers is a challenge at the best of times, and as we continue our phased
Onion farmers fear bumper crop waste
North Andros-based onion farmers are fearful that COVID-19 restrictions could result in their bumper harvest going to waste. The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), in a statement yesterday, said farmers are worried that continui
Airbnb teams with Ministry to drive vacation demand
Airbnb yesterday said it has formed a strategic alliance with the Ministry of Tourism to further drive vacation rental demand that, based on booking data, is “beginning to bounce back” in COVID-19’s wake.Since the pandemic began, Airbnb said the perc
'Tremendous uptick' in cyber breaches
A cyber security specialist yesterday said urged companies to identify gaps in their information technology (IT) defence after seeing a “tremendous uptick” in attacks on Bahamian networks. Philip Darville, SolveIT Bahamas’ managing director, told Tri
Use COVID-19 to kickstart domestic tourism's revival
The Chamber of Commerce’s chief executive yesterday urged The Bahamas to exploit the COVID-19 crisis to kick-start domestic tourism after managing to successfully contain the virus to-date.Jeffrey Beckles said that while “the restarting of our touris
Govt sued over PI project ‘u-turn’
The Bahamian entrepreneur behind the proposed $2m renovation of Paradise Island's lighthouse yesterday said he refuses to continue "begging like a Jonser" after taking his battle with the Government to court.
Atlantis to open its doors on July 7
Hotel workers yesterday voiced optimism that Atlantis's planned July 7 re-opening represents "real progress" towards a full-on tourism rebound almost three months after the industry's near-total shutdown.
Hotel union 'bracing for worst' as Hilton cuts 15%
The hotel union yesterday said it is “bracing for the worst” after the British Colonial Hilton blamed the “unprecedented” COVID-19 fall-out for forcing a 15 percent cut in its workforce.Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Uni
Bahamas First fights off IT system hackers
A major Bahamian insurance company has revealed it almost fell victim to computer hackers “during the height” of the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdown. Bahamas First, the property and casualty underwriter, revealed in its just-released 2019 annual report
Arawak and Potter's Cay vendors not 100% ready
Not all restaurants at Arawak Cay and Potter’s Cay dock will be re-opening tomorrow as some are still implementing the COVID-19 health and safety protocols mandated by the Government. Rodney Russell, president of the Arawak Cay Conch, Fish, Vegetabl
Tourism is promoted through 'virtual sales'
The Ministry of Tourism held a series of virtual sales missions during the COVID-19 lockdown in a bid to maintain The Bahamas’ status as a top destination with the US and Canadian travel industries. Officials participated in online events such as we
Rising oil prices hit Bahamians at pump
A major Bahamian fuel provider yesterday said rising global oil prices, driven by increased economic activity as the world emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown, has driven its gasoline prices back to almost $4 per gallon. Valentino Hanna, general mana
Lands and Surveys set for 'great leap forward'
The Bahamas Association of Land Surveyors (BALS) yesterday said it is awaiting the imminent arrival of a new surveyor-general as the government unveiled plans to upgrade the Department of Lands and Surveys. Pakeisha Parker-Edgecombe, parliamentary s
Ministers hails 'unprecedented' $140m social protection net
A Cabinet minister yesterday hailed the 2020-2021 Budget’s expanded $140m social safety net as “an unprecedented measure for an unprecedented time”. Frankie Campbell, minister for social services and urban development, told the House of Assembly dur
