Atlantis occupancies at 50% as virus bites
Atlantis yesterday revealed that normally-buoyant occupancy levels for the peak winter period have fallen to 50 percent as “tourism and commerce grinds to a halt” amid the coronavirus pandemic.A spokesperson for the Paradise Island-based mega resort
Virus delay hits oil exploration
An oil explorer has delayed the drilling of its first well in Bahamian waters until late May/early June to ensure the coronavirus crisis does not cost it “millions of dollars”. Simon Potter, the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) chief executive, tol
Cruise sector closure 'extremely devastating'
The cruise industry’s 30-day shutdown will be “extremely devastating” for Bay Street and all who rely on the sector for their livelihood, the Downtown Nassau Partnership’s co-chair warned yesterday. Charles Klonaris told Tribune Business that while
Hotels dodge 'even more of a disaster' over coronavirus
The Bahamian resort industry has “escaped even more of a disaster” by getting through much of the peak winter season before the coronavirus fall-out took full effect, a senior hotelier says. Robert Sands, pictured , Baha Mar’s senior vice-president
A perfect storm fuelled by a game of dare on oil prices
The coronavirus is now infecting and killing a growing number of people across the globe, with an increasing number of countries imposing draconian containment measures that are severely impacting the economic growth prospects of the world’s economy.
Taxi chief: 'Never so close to annihilation'
The 30-day cruise industry shutdown means that industries reliant upon it have “never been this close to annihilation”, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s (BTCU) chief is arguing.Wesley Ferguson said of the end to all cruises from the US, in response to th
Cruise island's two-month closure impacts 100 staff
Around 100 staff will be impacted by a cruise line’s decision to close its Eleuthera private island for two months in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Princess Cruises, the Carnival-owned cruise line brand, confirmed that operations on Princess
Tourism businesses feel coronavirus hit
Sandals Emerald Bay resort is among the entities feeling the effects of a coronavirus-inflicted downturn in business. Jeremy Mutton, its general manager, told Tribune Business: “Inevitably with various travel bans and travel restrictions going on ar
Super Value more than triples inventory levels
Super Value’s principal yesterday said he has more than tripled the supermarket chain’s inventory levels to guard against coronavirus disruption, and warned: “Panic buying is not doing any good.”Rupert Roberts revealed that he has increased stock lev
Contractors partner with BTVI to bridge skills gap
The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and the Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) have agreed a partnership that aims to help close “skills gaps” in the workforce. Michael Pratt, the BCA’s president, said the Memorandum of Underst
Bahamas warned on new downgrade risk
The Bahamas was yesterday warned by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) that it faces “at least a one-in-three chance” of a further downgrade to its sovereign credit rating within the next 12 months.
Royal Caribbean: PI is not what you think
Royal Caribbean yesterday pledged its Paradise Island investment will generate an extra $26m per year in visitor spending and “re-energise” downtown Nassau for the benefit of all stakeholders. Russell Benford, the cruise line’s vice-president of gov
URCA modifies renewable mechanism at BPL urging
Regulators have modified their much-criticised compensation proposal for larger grid-tied renewable energy systems at Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) urging, it was revealed yesterday.
'No virus delay' for Lucayan's $300m revival
A Royal Caribbean executive yesterday said it “anticipates no delay” or negative impact to the $300m Grand Lucayan redevelopment as a result of the coronavirus fall-out.Russell Benford, the cruise line’s vice-president of government relations for the
Top cruise line hails Bahamas virus response
A Royal Caribbean executive yesterday hailed The Bahamas as a regional leader in its coronavirus response with bookings for voyages to this nation “holding steady” amid the pandemic.Russell Benford, the cruise line’s vice-president of government rela
