The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

When is the Bahamas Government going to face reality and abolish the Health Visa and the three-day old rapid antigen test? They are both now completely a roadblock to secure bookings to your country. For those of us in England the test and three-day arrival is unworkable for most people. At a recent online travel agent session, we all expressed the same sentiments. The entry policies are time consuming and expensive. Nearly everywhere else is far easier to enter.

There has always been a lot of goodwill for The Bahamas in the UK which was further increased with the successful March visit of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The publicity for your country was tremendous. However, this goodwill could not, for the most part, be translated into bookings because of the restrictive entry rules.

I understand certain Bahamians have been making money from the Health Visa payment system and the Health tests required for returning tourists to their home country. These profits must surely have to be sacrificed for your long term need to revive the essential tourist industry. The sooner the better must be the answer.

JOHN COOPER

Milford-on-Sea,

Hampshire, England,

June 15, 2022.