The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I operate a travel agency in Columbus, Ohio, and have sent clients on a regular basis to Nassau for many years both to hotels and on cruises. The Bahamas was always a popular destination. Regularly I read your newspaper online to keep up to date on travel news.

Since you introduced some of the harshest entry requirements in the whole world our business to you has collapsed. We cannot understand why your Tourism Ministry could have designed rules which are so cumbersome and expensive and then still expected visitors would want to come. When we have to explain all the rules and the short five-day entry rule from test date they automatically reject booking to Nassau. They do not have the time nor want to put funds down because of all the uncertainty.

Your article about the port restructuring for cruise ships sounds positive. However those undertaking these renovations do not seem to realise that tourists must be willing to book cruises to make it a success. I cannot imagine for a moment that cruise passengers would ever agree to fulfilling all the entry requirements plus more tests and daily online questions any more than hotel visitors. It is ridiculous to expect such short term cruise visitors would be at all interested. There are far too many other destinations these days for both hotel and cruise holidays.

I just cannot believe that your hotel owners, port authorities and local business people have not joined together and expressed a justifiable alarm that your whole economy is in serious jeopardy if these onerous rules are not changed.

We are sending our clients to other areas who formerly loved Bahamas holidays.

These destinations like Mexico want tourists and are taking all and more precautions at the resorts.

There are no difficult Health Visas and so far everyone has come back with glowing reports. Such an unnecessary loss of vital business for The Bahamas.

As I have come regularly to Nassau I feel very badly about the current situation for which your authorities have been responsible.

What is the problem with a traveller bringing a COVID-19 test with them like other destinations? Our clients are well as are most people in this area and like to travel. How unfortunate it is not to the beautiful Bahamas.

HOWARD J THORPE

Columbus, Ohio,

USA

January 16, 2021.