By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe yesterday confirmed that the government is in talks to make significant improvements to the surrey industry.
Mr Wilchcombe said there were ongoing meetings to bring higher standards to the industry.
His comments come after the Bahamas Humane Society issued an ultimatum to the government over long-standing concerns over the condition of surrey horses in New Providence.
President Kim Aranha warned that the animal rights organisation will withdraw from government committees unless significant improvements are made by December 15.
The BHS has suggested that the government establish a national stable, with facilities to oversee the health and care of surrey horses. Next, Mrs Aranha said the route will have to be adjusted, preferably away from heavy Bay Street traffic.
Comments
banker 10 years, 7 months ago
This is just like the Montague Ramp issue. They will spend millions just to get 30 votes.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 7 months ago
I like what they did at the Montague ramp...it's way more slightly than it was before, I will actually stop there for fish because there is parking and traffic doesn't back up like it used to.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 7 months ago
"Low lifes"?...you know, if we want to take this country anywhere we have to pick up the "low lifes" and bring them along with us. You can't scorn people because of their social circumstances Rory. WWJD "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers that ye do unto me"
I'm slightly confused...I passed that place everyday for 3years before the cleanup and it's like night and day today...I honestly don't know what you're referring to by "ghetto"...it's a hundred percent cleaner, and it's more sightly..is it perfect all the time..probably not but its better.
banker 10 years, 7 months ago
I have to agree with rory, although I am not as bombastic in decrying the ramp. I got sick buying fish there -- food poisoning.. I also have to concur that it still is a nasty place. In addition, the rasta selling peanuts at the stop light before the ramp is not a nice man at all. I for one, don't feel safe there as dark approaches and the parking lot at night is a scary place. You can smell the weed from the village road stoplight.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 7 months ago
But you could get sick eating fish from anywhere ....A does not prove B. The rasta should not be selling peanuts at the stop light and no he is not a nice man.
TalRussell 10 years, 7 months ago
Which Comrades among you would join me in advocating for the establishment of a Bureau of Tourism separate and away from the daily control of the government of the day? Rather than relying primarily on taking taxes collected from the general economy to fund tourism marketing and operational costs, a tourism tax be levied at all points utilized by visitors to Bahamaland, thus it would allow general taxes collected to be used only for non tourism projects? An independent bureau of tourism, which will have no grand-sized Baha Mar plans but steadfast small plans of restoring the simplicity, friendliness, cleanliness of a safe Bahamaland?
by TalRussell
sherco 10 years, 7 months ago
Perhaps that Bureau would at least answer their phones and emails!
Re Surrey Horses: The drivers in general do not care about their horses and this will not change. In this day and time, no horse should be enslaved to pulling a heavy broken down carriage with make-shift harnessing, in tropical heat, breathing unregulated exhaust fumes, maneuvering through congested traffic, loaded with too many people and overweight ones at that. The horses go from one hell to the next and even if they had proper stabling, they never have a chance to run free in a pasture and graze as they were intended to do. This torture "tourist attraction" needs to come to an end, permanently. These drivers need self-pedaled rickshaw surreys that other touristy cities use. Let's get rid of this cruel and inhumane trade for it speaks volumes of our morality as a country.
SP 10 years, 7 months ago
MINISTER of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe need only to look at tourist destinations like New York, Chicago and others to get a proper idea of what improvements are needed in the surrey business.
Surreys offered in Nassau for the most part are of very poor quality in every aspect. It is no wonder they are not profitable as could be as North Americans are known horse lovers.
Surreys are a positive resort feature which could easily add to the old world colonial charm and flavor of Nassau as a tourist destination, but has been allowed to exist without proper guidelines and standards.
More tourist would be inclined to participate in surrey tours and more "sensible people" would look favorably at the trade if coaches and horses were up to standard.
Good Job Kim Aranha for bringing the plight of neglected, abused horses to public attention and causing the government to take badly needed action to protect not only the horses, but to also implement standards and enforce regulations in the industry that would play a much more important role in adding to both the ambiance and tourist spend of Nassau as a resort destination.
The surrey industry is so far only scratching the surface of the potential that could be realized if upgrades in coaches and horses were encouraged.
Now that hope and help is on the way for the surrey horses, what are we going to do about inhumane conditions at Fox Hill Prison for our fellow men and women?
crabman 10 years, 7 months ago
MINISTER of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe yesterday confirmed that the government is in talks to make significant improvements to the surrey industry.
I first heard it in 1980 when I was much younger and the same old promises rise up time after time. Same old stories same old lies same old money changing hands.
Countries are judged on how well they treat their animals, I guess we would rate rather low for allowing such cruelty to continue.
Tomorrow lets put the surrey drivers in the harness and let them stand in the sun all day, eat nothing and be denied water for days on end.
After all whats fair is fair.
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