The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Aircraft refuelling costs in Exuma are still almost 40 per cent higher than for New Providence and Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Tourism’s director-general said, warning that much of the island’s potential profits were being “eaten away” by high costs.

Addressing the eighth annual Exuma Business Outlook conference, David Johnson said Exuma was still just “scratching the surface”, with huge potential in its tourism sector being hampered by high costs.

“What is standing between Exuma and the profit we can see is that we have not managed our costs very well. We need to build a better infrastructure and be more efficient. Much of the profit that can be made is eaten away by high costs because we are still competing with other options,” said Mr Johnson.

“Our planning and master planning has to move along a path that pays attention to what we must do to achieve much lower costs or more competitive cost structures.

“We’re still fuelling aircraft in Exuma at almost 40 per cent higher fuel prices than Nassau and Grand Bahama; in some cases almost double. That is what’s driving costs, that is what’s driving capacity. It’s not an easy solution but we must find better solutions to making Exuma more competitive.”

Mr Johnson said Exuma was still just scratching the surface with regards to its tourism sector potential.

“We’re still scratching the surface,” he added. “The potential is huge but there is the barrier between us and getting there. We must work at reducing that barrier and getting over it.

“There is no island chain anywhere that has the beauty and the potential for tourism and other products in the Exumas.”

Mr Johnson added that there was was significant local talent on Exuma that must be highlighted.