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Hotels to beat eight-year rate recovery target
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Hotel Association's (BHA) president believes the industry will return room "rates to pre-recession levels much faster" than the world average, after a renowned travel research firm said this could take
Roberts: Abaco interests up 11%
SUPER Value's owner has told Tribune Business that Abaco has proven "more resilient" to the global recession than any other Bahamas island, with his interests on the island seeing an 11 per cent increase in business year-over-year.
Nassau world’s 5th most expensive city for hotel vacations
Nassau’s was yesterday ranked as the fifth most expensive city in the world for hotel accommodation, a finding that will further raise concern that this nation is slowly pricing itself out of the global tourism market.
Sky Bahamas chiefs deny share allegation
SKY Bahamas' principals yesterday told Tribune Business they completely "deny" allegations by a former executive of the airline that they conspired to squeeze him out of his equity stake in the company, and recorded incorrect shareholdings in the Companies Registry.
BTC to 'exceed' $60- $80m earnings goal
BTC to 'exceed' $60- $80m earnings goal By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will beat its $60-$80 million operating income projections for 2012 after generating cost savings faster than anticipated, alth
RENEWABLE ENERGY 'AMAZING CHANCE' FOR DIVERSIFICATION
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas has an "incredible opportunity" to diversify its economy by becoming a renewable energy exporter, a leading Caribbean expert yesterday saying it could emulate Israel's 92 per cent penetration rate if i
Bimini Bay facing homeowners revolt
The Bimini Bay Resort is facing a homeowners revolt in the Supreme Court, with multiple purchasers voicing concerns over how their properties and multi-million dollar maintenance fee sums are being managed.
TUC chief: Labour law reform ‘unlikely’ before next election
The Trades Union Congress’s (TUC) president yesterday said it was “highly unlikely” that the controversial labour law reforms will be enacted before the upcoming general election, with little progress in negotiations at the National Tripartite Council.
$600m Sarkis claims branded 'hogwash'
An ex-Baha Mar director has slammed as "hogwash" claims that Sarkis Izmirlian lacked the $600 million financing needed to complete the project, accusing the Government of "playing the blame game".
BAHAMAS TOP RETAIL SPOT FOR FIRSTCARIB
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) accounted for the largest share of its Barbadian parent's retail banking revenues in the fiscal year ended on October 31, 2011, generating some $90.64 million or 44
Port's 25% growth hides missed trade potential
Freeport is failing to attract “a wider range” of businesses and become a true logistics/distribution hub, despite the Container Port outstripping all Caribbean rivals with 25 per cent cargo throughput growth.
Consumer chief set to investigate BPL bill spike
The Consumer Protection Commission’s chairman last night promised to investigate the “double” and “triple” energy bill increases many consumers are now experiencing as a result of Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) post-Matthew billing practices.
Ex-Hard Rock franchisee queries transfer to ex-MP
Hard Rock Cafe's former Nassau franchisee has questioned why the business was so readily handed to its Bahamian landlord, when a decade earlier he had been "forced" to pay $1 million to end their partnership.
‘Wonderful opportunity’ for Long Island revival
The resolution to a 10-year dispute over Long Island’s one-time largest employer presents “a wonderful opportunity” to revive the island’s economy, its MP yesterday describing the surrounding area as “ghost town”.
Baha Mar avoids damages on $10m 'credit letter'
Baha Mar has reached a legal settlement that prevents a former hotel partner seeking specific damages against it for trying to draw down a $10 million Letter of Credit, although arbitration proceedings remain alive.
Bahamas faces more financial consolidation
Bahamas faces more financial consolidation By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor With 40 per cent of Swiss private banks eyeing foreign acquisition targets, a leading accountant yesterday predicted further consolidation in the Bahamian financial serv
Wilson: Ingraham responsible for Sth. Eleuthera’s ‘demise’
The developer adjacent to a newly-announced $100 million resort project believes they will together make Cotton Bay “the Caribbean’s premier destination”, as he blasted former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for decisions that caused South Eleuthera’s “demise”.
Court: ‘No deal’ for 25,000 acre property
An $11.5 million deal to purchase the 25,000 acre property that was once Long Island’s largest employer cannot be concluded because there was never “an enforceable sales contract”, the Privy Council ruled yesterday.
‘No doubt over VAT chaos’ on January 1
A well-known businessman yesterday said he had “no doubt” the Government will be unable to seamlessly implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) come January 1, suggesting “chaos” would result from failing to promptly educate the private sector.
Caribbean hotel rivals beat Bahamas' 5% RevPAR rise
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamian hotel industry's 5 per cent revenue per room (RevPAR) increase for the first nine months in 2011 was overshadowed by greater rises in many Caribbean competitors, as an industry consultant yesterday to