The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

We are holiday home owners in Nassau coming from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, for many years. We keep in touch with Nassau news through The Tribune. Despite all the letters which you have published from other longtime residents, the Bahamas government continues to put such restrictions on entry that we are faced with the unbelievable prospect of not travelling to our property this winter.

Your story today of very few bookings is not a surprise. The requirements for a health visa have been very poorly thought out. The uncertainty of timing with the test period of seven days until one lands is a major problem. The officials who drew up these rules had little if any idea of how someone could go through the process and actually land there in that timeframe.

For us, we must travel 100 miles to get the required COVID-19 test and hope the results can be emailed to us within two days. If not, we must travel back to get them. What a waste of time and money when tests could be given on our arrival or brought with the visitors. The Air Canada schedule which is our only route through Toronto is down to once weekly. The waiting time for your health visa to be emailed back to us is not certain. Why purchase an air ticket if one is not sure they can actually take the flight? After just going through the hassle of obtaining the test we are then faced with paying for two further tests on and shortly after our arrival.

Our travel agent has said their local association is advising people not to bother with The Bahamas as the rules are so unworkable that they are laughable. Yet your Tourism Minister and staff keep saying they are working with travel partners.

We have a good reason to want to come to Nassau. Many others will book to go elsewhere this winter. Most other destinations to escape the cold winter are now taking up your normal Bahamas tourism market.

Easy to book, certainty in air travel, easy tests and favorable hotel rates all could have been the message for travel to The Bahamas this winter but it has all been thrown away by one of the most unbelievable travel strategies ever designed. It is a sure recipe for an economic disaster.

We hope an immediate change will be forthcoming. It is an absolute nightmare for your regular loyal short and long term visitors.

MICHAEL HAMILTON C.A.,

Canada,

October 29, 2020.