Freeport hotel braces for 'worst xmas ever'
A major Freeport hotel is on track for its “worst Christmas ever” despite enjoying a strong fall, with occupancy rates set to plunge from “the high 80s” to around 30-40 percent.Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager, yesterday told Tribune Bu
Plastic distributors prepare 'alternatives' as ban nears
Major distributors yesterday said they already have “alternatives” to single-use plastic bags and styrofoam products in place ahead of the ban that will come into force from January 1. Marc Serfontein, Darville Packaging’s production manager, told T
Eleuthera poised for winter records
A Bahamian real estate firm believes mainland Eleuthera is poised to set new visitor and second homebuyer records this winter season based on initial numbers.“There hasn’t been a lull yet,” said Angelika Bacchus, an Eleuthera-based estate agent with
Mortgage Corp receives $27m in Dorian payouts
The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC) yesterday said it has received $27m in Hurricane Dorian-related insurance payouts on behalf of its borrower clients, and expects this number to rise. Philip Haven, its managing director, said the taxpayer-owned
Nassau/PI hotels give mixed Xmas outlook
Several Nassau/Paradise Island hotel operators yesterday reported a mixed Christmas occupancy and bookings outlook as the industry readies for the peak winter 2020 season. Ketera Rolle, acting general manager for the Holiday Inn Express, told Tribun
Tax evaders told: 'Your time is up'
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday warned invoice fraudsters and tax evaders that their time is up, as he pledged: “The days of friend and favour are over at the border.” Marlon Johnson, pictured , acting financial secretary, said ther
Bahamas tops hemisphere for quickest govt services
The Bahamas is among the hemisphere’s best performers for the speed at which government services are delivered, even though “three visits” are required to complete one-third of such transactions. These findings, contained in a newly-released Inter-A
BPL: $27 family bill rise 'critical to turning page'
Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) today reveals the “average” family will see a $27 per month increase in their bills from March 2020 onwards to help service its $650m debt refinancing.The utility, in an advertisement in today’s newspaper, says a “new l
Cost Right lease's five-year extension for half the space
AML Foods has secured a five-year lease extension for 50 percent less space at its Town Centre Mall-based Cost Right store while it waits for the fate of its new location to be determined.Gavin Watchorn, the BISX-listed food group’s chief executive,
$30m 'scar' in doing business with govt
A frustrated Bahamian businessman has revealed how his family’s home and well-being have been threatened by the government’s failure to “honour a contract” now owing him at least $30m. Kingman Ingraham told Tribune Business he is uncertain how badly
Royal Caribbean aims to recruit more Bahamians
Royal Caribbean International yesterday said it has more job fairs planned for 2020 in a bid to increase its Bahamian workforce beyond the more than 300 currently employed. These Bahamians are either working on the cruise line’s ships or at its land
Small Business Centre gives $3.5m in first year
The deputy prime minister has hailed the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) for approving $3.5m in financing for small businesses and start-up entrepreneurs during its first year. Speaking at the Centre’s year-end Christmas Client Showcase, K
Abaco non-profit injects $1m into Dorian rebuild
A North-Abaco non-profit organisation has spent about $1m on rebuilding Bahamian homes on Treasure Cay in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Tom Wheeler, member of the Treasure Cay Property Owners’ Association (TCPOA), and major donor to the North A
ART OF GRAPHIX: Designing for a proper critique
It is almost impossible to improve a design without feedback from others. Their input helps to avoid mistakes and thus create higher quality work. The goal of critique is to help move a project forward, and should never serve the purpose of boosting
Bahamas warned: 'Stop the piracy'
A premier pay-TV content provider is demanding that the Bahamian government “takes action to stop the unlicensed transmission” of major US networks to subscribers in this nation. HBO Latin America, a subsidiary of its Home Box Office (HBO) parent, i
