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Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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Healthy growth for stopover tourism says Central Bank of The Bahamas By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net STOPOVER tourism is showing healthy growth in The Bahamas, but the gains are not evenly spread across the country. According to the Central Bank of The Bahamas Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report, air arrivals to the Family Islands jumped more than 14 percent in November, while New Providence experienced an 8 percent decline in stopover visitors. The report highlighted that while the cruise sector continues to perform strongly, high-value stopover arrivals remain constrained by factors such as limited hotel capacity and softer demand from the U.S. market. This uneven growth signals opportunities — and challenges — for islands seeking to attract longer-staying, higher-spending visitors. “Although tourism continued to register healthy growth, inflows remained tempered by subdued performance in the high-value-added stopover category, given constrained accommodation capacity and softer demand from the United States market. However, healthy gains persisted in the
THE Prime Minister will make repairing the roads in Abaco a priority, a member of the North Abaco Pastors Association (NAPA) claimed yesterday. During a press conference held in October which detailed a list of issues plaguing Abaco, including the pothole infested roads, Reverend Rudy McKinney added that more lights and verges need to be installed on the roads in North Abaco. Reverend Marvin Mills, NAPA’s President noted that damages from the many potholes in Abaco’s roads has cost some persons a decent of money in repairs. However, according to Bishop Cedric Bullard, former NAPA chairman and Senior Pastor of New Life Ministries International, Prime Minister Philip Davis has heard their cries, informing shortly after the press conference them that the roads are “a priority for him.” “The roads are still a problem but I know the prime minister
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
CENTRAL BANK OF THE BAHAMAS
• Air arrivals rise Family Islands, fall New Providence • Central Bank flags capacity, US demand constraints • Limited hotel rooms cap high-value visitor growth
cruise sector,” the Central Bank report noted. “Total stopover arrivals grew by 3.7percent relative to November 2024, reflecting continued recovery in the U.S. market, while cruise passenger arrivals expanded by 12.4 percent year-on-year.” Among the Family Islands, Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera led the way, with the report stating that arrivals outside of New Providence
increased by 14.3 percent, reflecting growing interest in destinations beyond the nation’s main hub. By contrast, New Providence saw visitor numbers decline by 8.2 percent, highlighting differences in performance between islands. A breakdown by major port of entry showed that total arrivals to the Family Islands rose by 15.6 percent, while visitors to
ARRIVALS - See Page B3
did say that that's a priority for him, for Abaco,” Bishop Bullard said. “But he couldn't give us a date. He said it's a concern for him. So it's something that he's looking into to really get that done for us. He reached out to us and said that he heard our concern, and it's of interest. It's of a concern for him.” The upgradinging of the Treasure Cay Airport, was also acknowledged by Mr Davis. During the press conferences NAPA members said the airport, especially after Hurricane Dorian “has been in need of new terminal and proper bathroom facilities.” Bishop Bullard said since then, the airport has been “cleaned up” and he believes more will be done to bring the airport up to par. ”Treasure Cay Airport which we were concerned about, it's well cleaned up,” he said. “I'm glad it's cleaned up, because it's full of airplanes. A lot of tourists in and there's no more parking space. It's compact with planes and it's beautiful. It's cleaned down, it's just groomed properly. Thank God for that.
“And I think the runways, they kind of cleaned it up on the side. I think they're making provision to to get some work done because I know they did some opening up the two sides so planes can turn around. So, the only thing we're waiting for now, is getting a building there, someplace for people to be able to use the restroom... We're looking for a proper building. But it's something that needs to be done. And I think he has expressed interest and he will be dealing with all of that, because he said they're building airports around the country, and at this time Abaco is one. “He said that a number of things are going on. A number of airports are being constructed, and we are one that he's concerned about getting it done. He heard the cry and he's going to be making some efforts to get some things done for us. But he said, right now, he said, out of all of that, he said, because people lives are at stake, the road is a priority for him right now.”
PHILIP DAVIS PM The North Abaco Port located in Cooper’s Town, which is said to be sitting and “deteriorating,” was brought to Mr Davis’ attention as well. Bishop Bullard said they know interested parties willing to help with the funding for the port. “He [Mr Davis] said he realized it's going to cost some money to get it done,” Bishop Bullard said. “But he's just depending on finding funds to get it done. We know persons who are interested, and they've got funds. Not only so much that the government, but if we can find persons... because, like I said, we do have persons who've been talking to us. There's a company that is interested here in North Abaco. So we're looking into something.”
Retail Liquor Association plan legal challenge over ‘unfair competition’ by drink distributors BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net LIQUOR retailers have voted to challenge in court next year what they say is “unfair competition” or “predatory behaviour” by their distributors who sell alcohol at the same or lower cost, contributing to lack of competition in the industry. George Robinson Jr, owner of Base Road Wholesale Bar has been vocal regarding what he deems as “injustice.” He said for ten years, distributors and wholesalers including 700 Wines and Spirits, Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits and Bristol Wines and Spirits have created a lack of competition in the field. “This been going on from the last 10 years,” Mr Robinson said. “It had gotten
Fee increases leave Bimini marinas struggling • Fewer boats threaten small-business activity islandwide • Rising costs divert visitors to rival destinations • Government reviewing impact of marine fee hikes
Abaco road repair ‘a priority’ for PM claims Bishop Cedric Bullard – ‘but no date given’ BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
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worse. And some people who said that they were going to address it was with the company. They started to do some end roads about it bu then apparently they left the company. A lot of people have left the company since because they're fed up.” Mr Robinson added that during a meeting held on Monday, a group of retailers who go by the name the Retail Liquor Association, has agreed to seek legal measures to combat the issue. “We had a meeting yesterday, our association, and we are upset with 700,” Mr Robinson said. “We have to do something next year with them. This unfair competition that they are doing is really injustice to us because 700 supposed to be a
distributor, which all of us purchase from them. “Now, they're coming around, and they're underselling us. They having these sales and stuff and selling to the public, either the same price, and in some cases cheaper than what they selling it to us for. And a lot of people are up in arms against because we don't think it's right, and they don't see nothing wrong with it. “We trying to see if it's law. I know some states have a law what you call unfair competition or predatory behaviour. But I mean even with law or no law, that is not right. You can't be a wholesaler and you are distributor which is fine, but then our biggest competition are our distributor. [A] couple times we tried to find it if there is a law. Some
say, it don't have to be a law but certain things are not permitted. “We have voted next year to challenge it in court with them. We were thinking about this for years now, but they keep saying they're going to do better. So we feel like the only place to go is go to the court if it isn't in law, to put it in law, to say that it is against the law for what's you call unfair competition. I know some parts of the world, you can't do that. You could get sue for unfair competition. “And right now they're having a sale today and tomorrow. And when you look at the prices they're offering the public, some, some of some of the items are even cheaper. Like I just bought some champagne from them. They sold it to
PREDATORY - See Page B2
EDWARD Reckley, president of the Bimini Chamber of Commerce, says the island’s marinas are struggling this holiday season, with fewer than 30 boats in port at the island’s largest marina—far below the full docks normally expected at this time of year. Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Reckley said “skyrocketing” boating fees and rising costs for visitors have hit the island hard, threatening the businesses that rely on small-boat tourism. “We are crying like every other island—Exuma is crying, Abaco is crying. The only place you probably aren’t hearing complaints is Nassau. But every other island is struggling because prices have skyrocketed,” said Mr Reckley. “Everything is light—very light. Normally, at this time, we have a full schedule, but right now we’re scraping for people.” Mr Reckley explained that higher boating fees, combined with rising fuel and supply costs, are diverting visitors away from Bimini. While some regulars still arrive, the additional expenses have significantly reduced traffic, particularly among smaller boats that are critical to the local economy. “The marinas are concerned; they’re complaining, and everyone is feeling the pinch due to the higher fees,” he added. He said this year, the usual bustle of golf cart rentals, visitors to local bars and restaurants, and New Year celebrations are noticeably diminished, and over the Christmas holidays the situation was similarly bleak. “Over the Christmas holidays, it was the same situation: fewer people traveling because of the high costs for the boats. That’s a big problem. We don’t want to roll into summer like this. At this point, we’re trying to do the best we can,” said Mr Reckley. He said the reduced activity at the marinas has a ripple effect on Bimini’s economy, as smaller boats bring visitors who spend on essentials such as housing, food, and supplies, which in turn supports local businesses. Mr Reckley said he hopes for a return to previous fee structures or the introduction of measures to make visiting more affordable. “I’d like to see conditions return to what they were—or even
SKYROCKET - See Page B3