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Friday, July 3, 2026
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Baha Mar: 80-90% occupancy to beat ‘softer summer’ trends
* Mega resort says tourism headwinds ‘beginning to ease’ * Bahamian aviation: ‘Nothing in sight’ on fuel, ticket ease * Sector in ‘holding pattern’, bids to ‘come through unscathed’
!"#$%&'#()*+$%'' +,-./01#!/2-0122#%3-45, nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net BAHA Mar yesterday revealed it is on target to beat “historical trends” through July and August occupancies “in the high 80 to low 90 percent” range even as Bahamian aviation operators battle to emerge “unscathed” from high and volatile fuel prices. Robert Sands, Baha Mar's senior vice-president of government and external affairs, told Tribune Business in messaged replies to this newspaper’s inquires that the Cable Beach mega resort is on pace to buck Bahamian tourism’s traditionally softer summer after
*6!%*+#7)$87 ending June with occupancies also in the low-90 percent space. Acknowledging that the increased number of Canadian visitors to The Bahamas, aided by increased airlift
connectivity between that nation and Nassau, as well as “robust” group business has helped maintain Baha Mar’s relatively high occupancy levels, he added that visitor demand has remained “resilient” despite the travel uncertainties and inflationary pressures sparked by the Middle East conflict which are now “beginning to ease”. “We’re encouraged by how the summer is shaping up,” Mr Sands told
this newspaper. “June finished with occupancy in the low-90 percent range, and July and August are currently tracking in the high-80 percent to low-90 percent range, with average daily rates remaining healthy and generally in line with our expectations. “While summer has traditionally been a softer period for the destination, Baha Mar continues to outperform historical trends through a balanced mix of
Vendors state: ‘Best days of Junkanoo Beach ahead of us’ !"#$%&'#()*+$%'' +,-./01#!/2-0122#%3-45, nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net
* Eye ‘triple win’ for destination after Tourism ministry meeting * Jek skis, ‘solicitation’ by children, security, restrooms priority * Bahamians urged to ‘monetise’ and own beach experience yesterday
VENDORS asserted that “the best days of Junkanoo Beach are ahead of us” as they voiced optimism that the Ministry of Tourism’s push for greater collaboration will produce “a triple win” for the downtown Nassau destination. Byron Coley Austin, the Junkanoo Beach Community & Vendors
Association president, hailed what he branded as a fresh approach under Glenys Hanna Martin, newly-appointed minister of tourism, with both sides agreeing at yesterday’s meeting to focus on the future rather than the past. While vendors have previously complained
Businesses: Bank fees grow but we’re getting less service !"#)$$%'&)#$&96$ +,-./01#!/2-0122# *1:5,41, !"#$%"&'(#)*"+,+-#!."+' BAHAMIAN businesses yesterday challenged the up to 20 percent increase in commercial banking fees by arguing they are paying more for reduced services. Daphne DeGregory-Miaoulis, proprietor of Abaco Neem, told Tribune Business that higher banking fees have made it more difficult for her business to operate. “All I know is, yes, I’m paying higher banking
fees, and like every other business in the country, every other individual, the more that these fees are increased, banking, business, government, it’s just becoming more and more challenging to stay in business,” she said. “And businesses that have been struggling, and that are teetering on a tight rope to remain profitable, cannot really absorb additional fees from anywhere.” Her comments come after commercial banks defended higher charges by
SEE PAY, Page 7
Senator tells BPL, Bahamas Grid: ‘Get your act together’ !"#;)<#7&==6$7 +,-./01#!/2-0122# *1:5,41, /0#,,%"0& '(#)*"+,+-#!."+' AN Opposition senator yesterday asserted that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) and Bahamas Grid Company "need to get their act together" as businesses lose revenue from frequent power outages and consumers complain about increasing summer bills. Speaking during the Senate debate on the ‘Speech from the Throne’, Arinthia Komolafe said persistent electricity outages are affecting both
households and businesses as The Bahamas experiences unusually hot weather. "We are going through a heat wave at this time in our country," she said. "We are experiencing heat levels like we have never experienced before, but yet persons are suffering... with the lights not staying on." Mrs Komolafe also questioned recent electricity bills, arguing consumers were promised lower power costs. "How can you release these bills, and justify the high cost of these bills, when
SEE ENERGY, Page 2
about an “over-zealous” approach by Ministry of Tourism and other government officials towards security, enforcement and compliance on Junkanoo Beach, he said both parties have agreed to form a “sub-committee” featuring representatives from all relevant government
agencies and stakeholders who will be responsible for addressing the location’s problems. Mr Coley-Austin told this newspaper that “priorities” will be security, jet skis, solicitation of visitors by children and the
SEE BEACH, Page 3
leisure, group and luxury travel.” He added: “Canadian airlift has been an important contributor to that performance. We’ve seen continued strength from the Canadian market, supported by expanded air service and sustained demand. At the same time, our group and meetings business has remained robust, helping to complement leisure travel and provide consistent
occupancy throughout the summer months. “While geopolitical tensions, higher fuel prices and broader economic uncertainty have presented challenges across the global travel industry, we are seeing continued resilience in consumer demand. Travellers continue to prioritise meaningful travel experiences, and The Bahamas
SEE TRENDS, Page 5
$200m Exuma resort project facing fresh legal challenge !"#$%&'#()*+$%'' +,-./01#!/2-0122#%3-45, nhartnell@ tribunemedia.net THE chief opponent of the $200m Rosewood Exuma project has launched a second legal challenge over whether the project’s key environmental approval could be “revived” after it expired. Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club, and its principal, Bob Coughlin, in Judicial Review filings that have only just emerged are arguing that the issue
raised is “not a technical or arid point” given that the renewal of Yntegra Group’s certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) 2400A occurred almost two months after it expired on October 8, 2025. They are asserting that the Environmental Planning and Protection Act 2019 gives government regulators no power or authority to extend an expired CEC. And, if that is the case, then the
SEE BATTLE, Page 4