01292024 Business

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MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2024

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‘Changing’ property market on up to 300% listings jump

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

NASSAU CRUISE PORT

t 5SFOET ESJWF AUSBOTJUJPO GSPN TFMMFST NBSLFU A 200-300 percent increase in new listings is driving Bahamian real t %BZT PO NBSLFU SJTJOH estate’s “transition” away from a sellers’ market MJTU UP TBMFT QSJDF GBMMT by outstripping buyer demand, a prominent realt %FNBOE TUSPOH CVU tor is asserting.

David Morley, Morley PVUTUSJQQFE CZ JOWFOUPSZ Realty’s principal, told Tribune Business that while the industry is “not fully in a buyers’ market right now” there are signs that equilibrium is being restored based on the increased number of days properties remain available after being listed for sale as well as the reduction in the listing-to-sales price ratio.

Drawing on data from the Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) Multiple Listing System (MLS), he added that the latter trend signals that sellers are “being more

flexible in their negotiations and taking lower prices” even though the number of new contracted sales - a key indicator of demand - remains strong.

Morley Realty, in its just-published analysis of market trends for the 2023 full-year and fourth quarter, concluded that the numbers “show continued signs of a changing market” following the post-COVID boom when pent-up demand drove

activity and prices to new heights.

Referring to data captured by the MLS system from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma, the firm said: “While the data in all five island markets generally points to an increase in buyer demand by way of an increase in contracted sales across all island markets, the volume of new listings also continues to far exceed the sales demand thereby increasing

Target cruising’s top 10% for ‘awesome’ conversion DAVID MORLEY the inventory of available properties.”

As a result, the data was “now showing fluctuations in the days on market, listing-to-sales price ratio and also the median price.

Even though the overall volume of year-over-year closed sales may be down from 2022, the overall volume of closed sales and contracted sales in 2023 appear to have returned

SEE PAGE B6

Airline chief: Do not pin FAA audit blame on us

By NEIL HARTNELL and FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporters A BAHAMIAN aviation operator is voicing concern that he and other airlines are being set up to get the blame if this nation is downgraded by US federal regulators following a recent audit.

Paul Aranha, principal of Trans-Island Airways and Trans International Airways, expressed surprise to Tribune Business that his company’s name was called in a Bahamasair press release seeking to explain why the national flag carrier’s latest Boeing 737 jet

is not yet servicing its US routes.

Bahamasair, in a weekend statement carried by most local news outlets, said the newest addition to its fleet cannot be cleared to fly those routes until the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) “audit of all airline operators in The Bahamas servicing routes into the US” is completed.

“This involves not only Bahamasair but also our competitors, Trans International Airways and Western Air, which are all registered

by Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB),”

SEE PAGE B8

‘Highly, highly unlikely’ tourism hurt by crime

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said it is “highly, highly unlikely” that cruise passengers or any tourists will be impacted by early 2024’s surge in murders and the fear of crime.

Mike Maura, the Prince George Wharf operator’s chief executive, told Tribune Business he was “not concerned” about the homicide spike’s potential fall-out for either cruise or stopover tourism despite the US State Department on Friday urging its citizens - who make up 90

percent of The Bahamas’ visitor market - to “exercise increased caution” due to the crime situation.

Pointing out this is not the first time The Bahamas has had to combat an increase in crime, and that “unfortunately it won’t be the last”, he said the situation is “not unique” to this nation as similar incidents occur at the same or greater frequency in cities such as Miami, New York and Atlanta.

He spoke out as Robert Sands, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president, yesterday revealed that industry stakeholders will today

SEE PAGE B4

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said The Bahamas must target the “top 10 percent” of cruise visitors with a compelling “value proposition” to realise a “huge” stopover conversion opportunity.

Mike Maura, the Prince George Wharf operator’s chief executive, told Tribune Business this nation must develop a “turnkey marketing package” to convince passengers that they will get “a longer, deeper and better experience of The Bahamas” centred on cultural and heritage

elements if they return as land-based stopover visitors.

Speaking after the issue of converting cruise visitors to the higher-spending, higher-yielding stopover variety was again raised at last week’s Bahamas Business Outlook conference, he added that this nation also needed to focus its efforts on “top tier” passengers who spend thousands of dollars per night for their cabins.

Joy Jibrilu, the Nassau/ Paradise Island Promotion Board’s chief executive, estimated at the Bahamas Business

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PAGE 2, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

TAXI UNION RESOLVES ATLANTIS DIFFERENCES

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net TAXI drivers say they have resolved differences with Atlantis that previously saw them threaten to block the bridge to Paradise Island.

Wesley Ferguson, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s (BTCU) president, said drivers are “satisfied” with the new protocols that the

mega resort has now put in place for taxi drivers bringing cruise ship passengers who want to tour the property.

He added that the arrangement will allow cruise port taxi drivers to bring cruise ship passengers to the resort at 3pm daily, providing there are vessels docked for that day. Mr Ferguson said he and the union have agreed to this, and understand Atlantis’ position that it wants to

avoid disrupting the taxi call-up system already in place through an influx of cruise ship visitors.

Mr Ferguson said: “We spoke to Atlantis on Wednesday, and so far they have made some changes to their new protocols as it pertains to taxi drivers’ drop-offs at the Coral Towers.

“They have assured us that it is not their intention to disenfranchise the taxi drivers from the dock, and

they walked us through the new system that they put in place for taxi drivers. The road traffic controller was there with representatives from the Ministry of Transport.” The taxi union has now pronounced itself “satisfied” with these measures unless Atlantis “digresses” from what it has promised.

Mr Ferguson added: “So we do share the concerns with Atlantis, in that it does present some kind of injustice to the guests who

pay handsomely to stay at Atlantis to have the cruise ship passengers just milling about aimlessly through the property. It does present a challenge for them.”

Atlantis management previously explained its concern that access to the Coral Towers was becoming clogged with the surge in cruise passenger-carrying taxis, while there were also fears that some drivers are unlicensed.

Cruise port taxi drivers will now have an allotted time at 3pm to bring cruise ship passengers to Atlantis for tours. But random drive-ups have been suspended until the new system kicks in. “We’re still going to watch it because Atlantis has a propensity to back track at times,” Mr Ferguson said.

Group tourism grows 25% over pre-COVID

selecting The Bahamas as the location for their meetings. Alphas in Florida are just a half-hour away from The Bahamas.”

Alpha Phi Alpha is the first inter-collegiate Greekletter fraternity established for African-American men.

It was founded in 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, by seven college men. Today, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity membership worldwide totals 290,000.

“The year 2023 was a banner year in tourism that brought us an unprecedented eight million plus in visitor arrivals,” said Mr Cooper. “Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, what we call the MICE industry, accounts for 40 percent of all tourism business to The Bahamas.

"Fraternities are an important subset of the overall MICE market.

MICE is a high growth market that delivers large numbers of visitors per event - hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of visitors. This is a sector that we are pursuing vigorously, with the overall goal

of increasing our stopover visitor numbers.”

The Bahamas experienced a 25 percent increase in MICE business during 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to the Incentive Research Foundation, US companies in 2024 are forecast to increase their budget allocations for incentive programmes by 37 percent.

This bodes well for The Bahamas, which has positioned itself as a leading destination for the MICE market in the Caribbean.

The Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters’ Alpha Day on the Hill Event is an annual event held in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, during the start of the state legislature's session. The goal of the event is to hear from legislators on various bills and legislation, and to advocate for issues and concerns impacting the African-American community.

DPM Cooper concluded his trip to Tallahassee with a courtesy call on Dr Larry Robinson, president of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU).

Yacht charters able to aid cruise conversion

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net CHARTER yacht industry participants say the sector can play a key role in converting cruise passengers to higher spending stopover visitors.

Duran Stuart, captain of Margate, speaking at the second annual Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, said the industry allows guests to visit multiple destinations and participate in activities that generate income for the Family Islands.

He explained that yachting can attract wealthy visitors with an organised luxury experience that encourages them to explore the Family Islands through tours and excursions that are provided

by Bahamian operators.

He said: “Yachting plays a very important role in the tourism sector. It allows tourists to see more than one on a trip. It is a luxury experience. Guests have fun on board the vessel. We offer lots of activities and, at the same time, we offer excursions when we go to the Family Islands.

"They get to see different things so, when we go to these islands, you’re not going to sit around on the boat all day. You’re going around and actually doing fun stuff.”

Marc Tonis, assistant general manager at Harbour Island's Romora Bay Resort and Marina, added that yacht charters generate income on the Family Islands through provisioning, tours and activities.

He said: “Cruise ships, you know, they come in for a couple of hours and they're gone. With yachting the bonus is they're going from island to island and spending more money into the local economy. Cruise ships are crucial to tourism and help take care of Nassau and Freeport, but yachting can do that for the Out Islands.”

Glenn Fernander, officer in charge at Coco Bahama Seaplanes, said its services allows guests to be transported directly to their yacht or Out Island resorts that are often lacking airlift. He added that Family Island visitors appreciate the additional airlift and ease of travel provided by the service.

“The feedback that we've gotten is persons are very happy about the added airlift and the ease of travel, being able to leave from Nassau and fly direct to their yacht or fly direct to the beach of their resort," he said. "So, with sea planes, we are now able to get to the outer islands easier. There's now added airlift, easier airlift and an opportunity for them to see the outer islands which are the gems of The Bahamas.”

THE Bahamas saw the main drivers of stopover tourism's group business increase last year by 25 percent over pre-COVID levels, the deputy prime minister has disclosed.

Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, announced the improvement as he last week addressed the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters’

'Alpha Day on the Hill' leadership gathering in Tallahassee, Florida.

He added that the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment typically accounts for 40 percent of The Bahamas' annual stopover visitors with its performance in 2023 rebounding to exceed prepandemic levels achieved in 2019.

In a bid to boost the country’s group business, Mr Cooper promoted The Bahamas as an ideal destination for the fraternity’s meetings and conferences.

“I embraced this opportunity to speak to a gathering that encompasses representatives from all Florida chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha," he said.

"Our sales team in the United States has been seriously engaging with social groups like fraternities and, as a result, we are seeing more and more fraternities such as Alpha Phi Alpha

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATOR TO GAIN 'SPOT FINE' POWER

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Department of Environmental Planning & Protection (DEPP) is awaiting passage of a law that will allow it to issue “spot fines” for anyone found guilty of infractions.

Rhianna Neely-Murphy, its director, told the Bahamas Business Outlook conference: “The DEPP is still a very small unit.

We have eight staff members and our mandate is very wide. We are responsible for the protection of 100,000 square miles of land and sea in The Bahamas.

And it's something that we take very, very seriously.

“So with that, you know, the legislation came and practically we realised that there was something else that we needed to assist us in the enforcement of protection. And so we have some amendments before the Cabinet and the House right now that will assist us in better doing our jobs.

“Some people may not appreciate the legislation and the amendments that we have set before us, but legislation and amendments will introduce spot fines that will allow environmental offices of the DEPP… to actually implement spot fines directly on the spot

when there is an environmental infraction.”

Dr Neely-Murphy added: “I think there was a video that was being shown when we're coming in speaking to the importance of these ecosystems (mangroves).

These ecosystems provide services to us that in many instances we take for granted, and without them life in The Bahamas would be very different.

“If you live along West Bay Street or have to travel along West Bay Street, you know that every time there's a cold front, any kind of weather that comes in along West Bay Street, you may have to deal with some sand in the road or waves in the road. All of that is a part of the mandate of the DEPP to make sure that those coastal areas or inland areas are well protected.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2024, PAGE 3

GOVERNOR: PROFIT REPATRIATION TAX WOULD DETER INVESTMENT of profits generated in The Bahamas.

The multinational energy giant, unveiling its 2022 global “tax contribution” report, revealed that Bahamas-based Shell Western Supply and Trading earned pre-tax profits equal to 12.4 percent of the country’s $12.556bn total public sector debt but none of this reached the Public Treasury in the absence of a corporate income tax.

Shell Western, which specialises in the buying and selling (trading) of crude oil sourced from Africa and Latin America, generated total revenues worth $28.29bn from these activities last year - a sum that is more than double, or twice as large, as The Bahamas’ total public sector debt.

Combined revenues produced by Shell’s Bahamian subsidiary increased by almost $7bn or 31 percent year-over-year, while profits nearly tripled from

the $571.441m achieved in 2021. Yet the energy giant’s report made clear that none of its millions/billions were taxed in The Bahamas and, as an International Business Company (IBC), it only paid a very modest amount of taxes and fees locally.

“Shell has been present in The Bahamas since 2002.

As of 2018, Shell’s principal business in the Bahamas is Shell Western Supply and Trading (SWST). SWST sources crude oil from West Africa and Latin America, and trades globally,” the Shell report said.

“The Bahamas does not impose corporate income tax on international business companies (IBCs) operating in the country.

However, international business companies pay indirect taxes and fees in The Bahamas. The increase in profit before tax is the result of higher crude oil prices.”

Bahamas failing to fully exploiting trade deals

nascent industries that are just getting off the ground, once they are able to satisfy themselves or satisfy the general market that they are market ready and that they can be sold internationally, I think we’re going to see a tremendous improvement in this area.”

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE CENTRAL Bank’s governor has warned against introducing a tax that solely targets profit repatriation on the grounds that it may deter foreign direct investment (FDI) into The Bahamas.

John Rolle said he “would not recommend” such taxation policy after Philip Galanis, the HLB Galanis accounting firm’s principal, suggested that imposing a levy on the “expatriation of profits” by Bahamas-based companies to their overseas parents represented “low hanging fruit” in the Government’s search for new revenue sources.

Speaking at the Bahamas Business Outlook conference, the Central Bank chief replied: “Personally I would not recommend that we deliver

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Editor jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Prime Minister says Bahamian businesses are failing to properly exploit trade agreements that would give them preferential export access and potentially lower the cost of imports.

Philip Davis KC told the Bahamas Business Outlook conference that said this nation has entered into several international trade agreements but they are being “under-utilised”.

He said: “The Bahamas has signed on to a number of international trade agreements that have been under-utilised. We must identify the opportunities for us to export our local products, and also identify the areas where we can source high-quality, more affordable goods that are consumed locally.”

Mr Davis did not identify the agreements he was referring to. However, The Bahamas is a signatory to

a tax system that only taxes profit remittances because, remember, that’s still going to be impacting how they do the calculus as to whether it’s profitable to invest.

“Often, the profitability calculation looks a whether the retained earnings will generate satisfactory returns or whether you sometimes take that capital or redeploy it. I think you have to be very careful about, you know, whether or not you are happy with anything trying to tax capital. You have to interpret it as trying to tax capital as it’s being redeployed.”

Mr Galanis interjected, saying: “I’m not thinking about capital, I’m thinking about profits.” Yet Mr Rolle replied: “That’s what it amounts to. You have to look at profits as capital because if they are retained you have to disclose it on the balance sheet. I would not recommend it.”

the two Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) between Caribbean nations and the European Union (EU) and the UK, respectively, as well as a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA) with the US and the CaribCan agreement with Canada.

All four agreements are designed to remove barriers to market access for Bahamian goods and services exporters, providing benefits such as tariff-free and quota-free access to large economies for their products.

Philip Galanis, the Bahamas Trade Commission’s chairman, said it is working closely with international partners to improve trade and assist Bahamian companies with exporting their products on an international scale.

He added: “What we have seen is there’s been a lot of activity on trade. As the chairman of the Trade Commission, I’ve been working very, very closely with a

The HLB Galanis accountant then came back on corporate income tax, which the Government is considering whether to implement both as a replacement for the Business Licence fee and to ensure The Bahamas complies with the G-20/OECD initiative for a global minimum 15 percent corporate tax.

“A corporate income tax system is what we need,” Mr Rolle argued. “But, once we determine what that looks like, we’d better hope we don’t have any element in it that certainly has a variable rate depending on whether there are remittances. I think we also have to understand that’s included in the calculation when businesses initially decide to inject capital.”

Mr Galanis yesterday told Tribune Business that the foreign-owned banks, such as Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), CIBC

number of our partners internationally - the Caribbean, the UK, China, the US, Brazil.”

“Much is being done to lay the groundwork to improve trade, with a view to helping Bahamians to export products; export their products to foreign markets to expose them to what is available in the international arena.”

Mr Galanis added: “In addition to which, the Trade Commission is also very interested in ensuring that we do everything we can to reduce the price of goods coming into our country. We import inflation because we don’t produce anything here.

Whatever we purchase, we bring the inflation that comes with it.

“And so if we can find ways and means by which to reduce the first costs and the landed costs, then we will be able to see a reduction in the rate of innovation. I’m hopeful that is going to be done.”

Last October, the UK conducted its first official trade mission to The Bahamas in 20 years. Mr Galanis said the

and Scotiabank, together with insurance providers and oil companies such as Sol Petroleum (Esso) and Rubis, were who he was targeting with a tax on profit repatriation.

“I don’t consider a return of profits a return of capital,” he argued. “Those are dividends.

There’s nothing to prevent the Government from making a policy decision with respect to expatriation. It effectively means we are paying citizens and entities in other countries for their dividends and we get no benefit.”

Asserting that investors were unlikely to be deterred, or leave The Bahamas, because of such policies, Mr Galanis added: “What I’m saying is that we should get a bigger piece or share of the pie.” Tribune Business reported last year that a Shell subsidiary paid not a cent in tax on $1.55bn

Trade Commission is working to introduce Bahamian products into that market and import goods from the UK at a lower rate.

He said: “We are working with the UK, trying to get Bahamian products into the UK market - into the British market - that are not currently available. And so we’re going to continue to do that.

“We see a two-way benefit. One, the export of trade and exposing Bahamian products, goods and services and, principally, goods.

And, secondly, the increased emphasis on bringing things into the country at much lower rates.”

Mr Galanis said some Bahamian manufacturing companies and artisans have taken advantage of these trade arrangements to-date. He added: “Some of the companies that we’ve seen are the manufacturing companies. We see a lot

of persons in the tourism sector - handbags, Haus of Assembly and other similar products, Harl Taylor and others who have benefited from this.

“We believe that these cottage industries, the

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PAGE 4, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

PM: FAMILY ISLANDS ‘MUST NOT BE LEFT OUT’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Prime Minister says the Family Islands must “not be left out” as he pointed to “major” investments in those locations and the $1.5bn project pipeline for Grand Bahama.

Speaking at the Bahamas Business Outlook conference, Philip Davis said a key part of the country’s economic growth is

diversification across the Family Islands. He especially drew attention to eco-tourism investments that are being made on San Salvador, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini, Abaco and Cat Island.

“Central to making progress is growing our economy. Economic diversification across our islands can be a powerful tool to drive multi-sectorial growth,” Mr Davis said.

“This is where our reform of our national investment strategy is critical in

supporting and promoting domestic investments and Bahamian ownership of the economy, while also directing foreign direct investment opportunities to the islands that are the best fit.

“Already, we have seen major eco-tourism and other investments on islands like San Salvador, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini, Abaco, and Cat Island, and more than $1.5bn in new investments in Grand Bahama alone.

As a Cat Islander, I know

how beautiful but difficult life on a Family Island can be. If we want to promote equal opportunity, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands must not be left out.”

Ian Rolle, the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) president, said: “We are pleased that we have well over $1.5bn, almost $2bn worth of projects now for Grand Bahama. In fact, the Prime Minister said today, he reiterated what we’ve been saying for a while about the

number of projects in the pipeline that will help transform the economy of Grand Bahama.”

When asked if Grand Bahama International Airport’s current condition could delay or deter upcoming investments, Mr Rolle said that although it is a “very important asset” it will not hinder the investments slated for the island.

He said: “I mean, when you look at some of our Family islands, you know, for instance, I visit a number of the islands,

but in particular, Exuma.

There’s a huge influx of tourism on the island of Exuma and that airport is nothing near the quality of airport that we even have in Grand Bahama right now. So the airport is a very important asset but it’s not going to stop the level of activity that’s planned for Grand Bahama from happening.”

BTC names its B2B operations director THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has named Delmaro Duncombe as director of B2B operations with responsibility for a segment that accounts for significant share of its revenue.

Sameer Bhatti, BTC’s chief executive, said: “We are happy to welcome Delmaro to the team. With his experience in sales and his strong business acumen, we are confident that he will be a great asset and a change agent in the company.

“We have a strong focus on the level of support that

DELMARO DUNCOMBE we provide to our business customers, and Delmaro is tasked with strengthening our level of customer care

and after sales support as a priority.”

As director of B2B (business-to-business) operations, Mr Duncombe will have overall responsibility for B2B sales and support; small and medium business sales and support; and government business for New Providence and the Family Islands.

BTC said it is currently working with the Government on the latter’s quest to bridge the digital divide and create smart cities. “We are proud to be a partner of choice for several national

broadband initiatives, including the Government’s ‘Park-Connect’ programme, where Internet connectivity is provided to parks across the Commonwealth,” Mr Bhatti added.

“We are also collaborating with the Ministry of National Security to advance the CCTV initiative, creating safer communities. We are also supporting new initiatives, and we need the help of a strong and robust team to continue to deliver for our clients.”

Mr Duncombe joins BTC with more than 20 years’ experience in telecommunications, insurance, marketing, banking, securities, trust law and administration. He has acquired numerous industry certifications, including the prestigious Fellowship Life Management Institute (FLMI) certification.

“I am a business strategist, an analytical person, and I view myself as an expert communicator. I am excited about this role, and I have already had the opportunity to get my feet

wet and coalesce around the key objectives of the business with all internal stakeholders. My team and I are laser focused on not just delivering targets but improving our relationships with our customers,” Mr Duncombe said.

He is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, a distinguished toastmaster (DTM), a past division governor (District 47) and past president of the first Bahamas Branch of Toastmasters International Club 1600.

‘Highly, highly unlikely’ tourism hurt by crime FROM PAGE B1 attend a meeting called by the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation to address the crime situation and the latest US travel advisory.

Confirming that the meeting will involve “security and the US alert”, Mr Sands declined to comment prior to today’s meeting, although he added: “The Ministry of Tourism is driving it.” Mr Maura, meanwhile, said the Government had shown it understands the need to “get its arms around” the crime problem to ensure that all Bahamians, residents and visitors can live in a safe environment.

“I’m not concerned from a cruise tourism perspective,” the Nassau Cruise Port chief told this newspaper. “Obviously crime, as

Bahamians and residents of New Providence, and citizens of The Bahamas, we are very concerned with any increase in crime because ultimately it happens in our neighbourhoods and backyards. We’re the ones most affected by crime.

“In the case of cruise passengers, it’s highly, highly unlikely that those passengers are going to experience some of the negative consequences as a result of this temporary uptick we have experienced. If any type of event takes place that included cruise passengers it usually happens some place outside the normal areas visited by tourists.”

This, Mr Maura said, occurs when visitors “wander into an area they shouldn’t be in or are looking for something that’s not necessarily legal”. He added: “I don’t have any

concern with respect to the impact on cruise tourism and don’t have any concern with the impact on hotel tourism either.

“The Government recognises it needs to get its arms around the issue. It isn’t the first uptick in crime that we’ve dealt with and, unfortunately, won’t be the last time. It happens in Miami, it happens in New York and happens in Atlanta.

The Bahamas isn’t unique to this type of situation, unfortunately. We are going to have to work to mitigate the criminal activity, and provide a safe environment for Bahamians and residents alike.”

The language in the latest US crime advisory is little different from the previous version. “The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport)

islands,” it said. “In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the ‘Over the Hill’ area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population.

“Violent crimes, such as burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response, said: “While we acknowledge that states have a right to inform their citizens travelling abroad about potential risks, we do not believe that there is any elevated or increased security risk to tourists traveling to The Bahamas.

“We encourage all of our visitors to come to The Bahamas. We believe that anyone visiting The Bahamas for tourism or business should take the normal prudent precautions that any visitor to a large city in the developed world will take.”

Business owners have told this newspaper that all Bahamians and residents are literally paying the price for crime. The extra costs associated with hiring security firms/officers, installing surveillance systems, window/door bars and other protection and preventative measures are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher prices for the goods and services they purchase.

This, private sector operators said, adds further to the cost of living crisis facing middle class and lower income Bahamians

with one company yesterday telling Tribune Business that security-related costs were “next to salaries our biggest expense” in 2023.

Crime and related violence has blighted Bahamian society for decades with the issue regaining prominence following the bloody start to 2024. The murder rate for the year’s first two weeks represented a 150 percent year-overyear increase, and a decade high, amid a spate of what are believed to be retaliatory killings, gang-related violence, personal feuds and the settling of scores, and an inability to resolve conflict.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2024, PAGE 5

‘MAJOR FOCUS’ FOR FIVE FAMILY ISLAND AIRPORTS

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Government’s director of aviation says five key Family Island airports will receive “significant focus” in 2024 as he promised the Government will move “progressively” on muchneeded upgrades.

Dr Kenneth Romer, speaking at the Bahamas Business Outlook conference, said airports in Cat Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma, North Eleuthera and the Exuma cays will have priority attention.

He added: “You will see that this year we are going to have significant focus on accelerating the infrastructure improvement, specifically in five targeted areas.

“You will see that we are going to be moving really progressively with Cat Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma, North Eleuthera - that has been a sore thumb sticking out - and then we look at the Exuma cays and some of our smaller Family Island airports.”

Mr Romer said the Department of Aviation will also prioritise human capital development and announce a number of memorandums of understanding (MOUs), scholarship opportunities and launch the promised aeronautical academy this year.

He added: “So we’re going to give focused attention to infrastructure development but, most importantly, we’re going to develop our human capital. We believe that the development of human capital services is as

much a priority as development of physical infrastructure.

“So you’ll hear us speak about launching our Aeronautical Academy. You will see us developing more scholarship opportunities. You will hear us speak about some MOUs with tourist institutions and developing existing and emerging talent in aviation in general.”

Last year, the government announced its $260m Family Island renaissance programme to overhaul and transform 14 airports through public-private partnerships (PPPs). The airports in Exuma and North Eleuthera are expected to require most financing, with the latter’s shortcomings posing a major challenge given the volume of passengers it has to handle.

DR KENNETH ROMER

Operators pushing for greater Bahamian aviation ownership

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net AVIATION operators have called for Bahamians to have “greater ownership” in the industry amid ongoing stakeholder consultations with the Government.

Anthony Hamilton, the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators’ (BAATO) president, told Tribune Business: “We have to have greater

ownership of the industry.

If we improve our gross domestic product by virtue of domestic airlines being able to improve themselves, in addition to Bahamasair really being able to take demand as the national flag carrier, definitely we benefit from that with regard to revenue generation.”

He spoke out after the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation last week met with aviation industry stakeholders at a meeting that was attended by the

Air Accident Investigation Authority, Airport Authority, Bahamasair, Bahamas Air Navigational Services Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Freeport Airport Development Company, Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), Nassau Flight Services, Jet Nassau, Odyssey Aviation, Airlines Operating Committee and BAATO. Dr Kenneth Romer, director of aviation, told the meeting there were five “big ticket items” set for discussion including

“improving airport infrastructure, enhancing human capital development, enhancing strategic partnerships engagement, increasing airlift connectivity and improving operational efficiency and financial resilience.”

Mr Hamilton, acknowledging this list, added: “These are things we have been working on for quite some time, and now it needs to be crystalised for manifestation, so it’s a process.”

One of the “biggest pet peeves” has been the lack

of communication from the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and sector regulators, with the private sector. Mr Hamilton said this is being worked on, and their last meeting was an “encouraging step forward”.

He added: “Certainly, advising on the improvement of the airport infrastructure is a key part, because the whole environment and atmosphere of aviation cannot change without the stakeholders at the table to begin with, and

that’s a part of this process now - ensuring the stakeholders are at the table.

“The infrastructure does need some serious work, and some effort has been made to indicate that there are some financial implications to that as well, but the most important aspect of all of this is ensuring that the stakeholders are at the table because you’d have greater wisdom at the table in terms of addressing decisions to be made and also privatisation”

PAGE 6, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Target cruising’s top 10% for ‘awesome’ conversion FROM PAGE B1 Outlook conference that converting just 100,000 of the capital’s cruise arrivals to stopover visitors would inject an extra $260m in spending - around a quarter-of-a-billion dollars - into this nation’s economy per annum.

With Nassau Cruise Port receiving just shy of 4.5m visitors for the 2023 fullyear, and projected to set a further record in 2024 with 5.5m arrivals, Mrs Jibrilu signalled that the opportunity for increased cruise conversion will only expand. She added that she had already spoken to the cruise port operator on this, and suggested all tourism promotion boards need to have a presence at Prince George Wharf.

“From an economic standpoint, if you look at 5m people, could you imagine if we get just 1 percent, just 1 percent, even 0.5 percent,” the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion Board chief said. “Let’s go to 1,000 people.

“If we put that in dollar terms - I was trying to do some back-of-the-envelope calculation so the accountants don’t look at me - that’s $260m per annum more; over a quarter-of-a-billion dollars more. That’s the incremental growth we’re talking about, converting just a minute amount.

“There are constraints.

We have to be mindful of that. Those constraints, very quickly, are hotel rooms. Where are we going to put another 100,000 people? How many rooms do we have?” Vacation rentals were one possible solution.

Mr Maura yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business that Mrs Jibrilu had been in contact to discuss “how we can advance and support together this conversion of millions of cruise passengers. He acknowledged, though, that cruise conversion - getting passengers to come back to The Bahamas as higher spending stopovers with a greater economic impact - has been discussed for decades.

“Given that Nassau was blessed with about 4.5m passengers in 2023 and with over 5.5m forecast for 2024, what an awesome opportunity to get even a small percentage to return as land-based tourists,” he told Tribune Business.

“I think there needs to be a formal marketing campaign that would help these visitors to wake-up to the possibility and opportunity to return. I think the marketing may have to go beyond simply Atlantis advertising Atlantis and Baha Mar advertising Baha Mar. Maybe there could be some combined package with Bahamasair, which many times has built marketing campaigns to get people to visit The Bahamas.

“It really does need to be a turnkey marketing package that gives the air and hotel, or air and accommodation, solution to these cruise passengers to make it as easy as possible for them to consider the value proposition of an air and hotel stay in Nassau or the Family

Islands. Nassau Cruise Port is very much open to that.”

Mr Maura revealed that the cruise port operator is working with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation to establish a guest services desk at Prince George Wharf and, rather than have the various private sector promotion boards in different locations which might “confuse” cruise passengers, he suggested they share the same space with the ministry.

However, he reiterated: “I think it’s got to be more than simply a a desk or station at the cruise port.

There has to be that marketing element and tie-in with hotel properties that is supported by airlift. Mr Maura said that, apart from its proximity to the Florida home ports, Nassau’s popularity as a cruise destination also stems from its “value proposition” with passengers able to visit multiple places at 15-20 percent the cost of a hotel stay.

“That’s why the marketing campaign is so important,” the Nassau Cruise Port chief told this

newspaper. “We cannot advertise just come back and stay at one of our hotel properties. We need to give them a price point so they they recognise that they can get a longer, deeper and better experience of The Bahamas by staying more than a day and really immersing themselves in the culture and heritage of the country while enjoying a top-tier hotel experience.

“That’s why this marketing campaign needs to increase the price/value proposition for a returning hotel stay experience.”

Nevertheless, Mr Maura described the cruise conversion opportunity’s economic potential as “huge”, and added: “In my view we stand a better chance at conversion if we market.... with air and hotel bundled together.”

He also sought to dispel the perception that cruise passengers, because they have “taken the affordable way of vacation” via a multi-destination cruise, “don’t have the capacity to take an air and hotel vacation. That’s not the case at all”.

Mr Maura said cruise cabins are sold at multiple different price points. He added that some suites are sold for thousands of dollars per night, and told Tribune Business: “On every cruise ship coming into port you have cabins selling for more per night than Nassau.

“The top tier cruise passenger is the demographic we’re talking about going after. The top 10 percent most expensive cruise passengers on board, on that vessel. Ten percent of the cruise passenger population has the potential for the highest-end package.

“We’re looking at the top 10 percent, that primary component, and saying come back and stay because at that level you have the greatest potential.

You come for a day, and we can give you something compelling from a price perspective but provide a greater immersive experience in The Bahamas.”

Based on Nassau Cruise Port’s numbers, that 10 percent would translate into around 450,000 based on 2023 arrivals and 550,000 using 2024 projections.

‘CHANGING’ PROPERTY MARKET ON UP TO 300% LISTINGS JUMP

with an architect to build a house, that process is going to take two years between the approvals, design and construction,” Mr Morley explained.

“You have a lag there; a delay in inventory coming on the market. That’s one of the issues: The timeline required to get the product to the point where it can actually be sold, whether you are constructing a home or developing a subdivision with lots. The lag time with lots in a subdivision coming on is not as big as building a house.”

Morley Realty, in its analysis of market trends, said: “Another consistent market change found in the fourth quarter 2023 data is the significant increase in the volume of new listings, yearover-year, in all the island markets in both homes and land.

“The fourth quarter 2023 data, quarter-over-quarter, shows that there was a decline in the number of new listings from the 2023 third quarter in the Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama and New Providence markets, and only the Abaco market had an increase in the number of new listings of both homes and land.

“The data shows that, year-over-year, Abaco had the highest increase of new listings of homes (413 percent) and New Providence had the highest increase of new listings of land (221 percent).” As for the other significant market trends, Morley Realty said: “Days on market, year-over-year, for home sales in all five island markets decreased across all five island markets from the apparent buyer demand.

“Days on the market, year-over-year, for land sales increased in the Exuma, Grand Bahama and New Providence markets most likely because of the significant increase in the inventory of new listings during 2023. In comparison, the days on the market for both home and land sales, quarter-over-quarter, in the Abaco and Eleuthera markets [fell], while increasing in the Exuma and New Providence markets.

“The listing-to-sale price ratio, year-over-year, decreased for home sales in the Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence markets, meaning that property owners were more flexible in their sales prices than in 2022,” it added.

“The listing-to-sale price ratio, year-over-year, for land sales across all five island markets increased and also increased across all five island markets quarterover-quarter, indicating that landowners were being less flexible in their sale prices....

“The increase in the inventory of properties is providing buyers with more selection and may soon result in an increase in the days on market , a decrease in the listing-to-sales price ratio, and a shift towards lower median prices despite the apparent strong purchasing demand... Regardless of the uncertainty caused by changes in market conditions, people will always need to buy and sell real estate.”

FROM PAGE B1 to pre-pandemic levels,” Morley Realty added.

For New Providence, as an example, the number of new home and vacant land listings in the 2023 fourth quarter increased year-overyear by 174 percent and 221 percent, respectively, meaning they more than doubled and tripled in comparison to the same period in 2022.

And, while the volume of contracted home sales on New Providence rose by almost 85 percent yearover-year in the fourth quarter, hitting 61, this was outstripped by the 174 percent jump in new home listings to 181 - a difference of 120. And, while the volume of contracted land sales increased by 533 percent in the final three months of 2023 to 38, the latter figure was dwarfed by 125 new vacant land listings.

“If you look at the data,” Mr Morley told Tribune Business, “what the data shows, for example, is the listing-to-sales price ratio is coming down. Sellers are having more flexibility in their negotiations and taking lower prices. The demand seems to still be strong if you look at the number of new contracted sales and, if you

look at days on the market, days are creeping back up.”

The latter factor, he added, together with the decline in listing-to-sales price, which measures the difference between a seller’s asking price and what they ultimately accept, is likely “as a result of the volume of inventory coming on the market”.

“The demand seems to be consistent and pretty good, but consumers have multiple choices, which means product takes longer to sell and sellers have to be more flexible on the price than before,” Mr Morley explained.

“If you look at the amount of inventory, look at the new listings curve for 2023 versus 2022, it’s up by anywhere from 200 percent to 300 percent compared to what was going on in 2022 with the volume of new listings.”

On Exuma, for example, the volume of new home listings during the final three months of 2023 increased by 360 percent year-over-year and 229 percent when compared to the third quarter.

This overshadowed the 50 percent jump in contracted home sales for the same period, while new vacant land listings also rose by 115 percent year-over-year in the 2023 fourth quarter.

As for Eleuthera, new home sales rose by 300 percent year-over-year in 2023’s final quarter while contracted sales remained flat.

New vacant land listings on the island rose by 116 percent compared to the 2022 fourth quarter to 41, exceeding the 200 percent rise in contracted sales to 12.

Mr Morley said there was “no doubt” that the MLS data contains a large enough sample to show trends in the local Bahamian property market, given that it mainly captures real estate for sale at around $1m or less, as opposed to the highend properties favoured by international buyers. This nation effectively has two different markets - one for local buyers, and the other largely for wealthy expatriate clients.

“If you follow contracted sales, that shows the demand more than anything else.

Follow that curve, and demand was pretty consistent in 2023 and, in some of the island markets, higher than in 2022,” Mr Morley added. “It’s more a reflection of the local market as our economy is ramping back up. The banks have money to lend, and things are looking a little less risky.....

“I don’t think we’re fully into a buyer’s market right now, but there’s definitely a trend in transition towards it. That is justified by the increase in days on the market and the decrease in the listing-to-sales price.”

He suggested that the surge in new properties becoming available related to the time required to develop new housing and/or subdivisions by developers seeking to exploit the post-COVID boom.

“If you purchase a piece of property and the sale closes today, and you meet

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2024, PAGE 7

Avian flu is devastating farms in California’s ‘Egg Basket’ as outbreaks roil poultry industry

By TERRY CHEA Associated Press LAST month, Mike Weber got the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive for avian flu.

Following government rules, Weber's company, Sunrise Farms, had to slaughter its entire flock of egg-laying hens — 550,000 birds — to prevent the disease from infecting other farms in Sonoma County north of San Francisco.

"It's a trauma. We're all going through grief as a result of it," said Weber, standing in an empty hen house. "Petaluma is known as the Egg Basket of the World. It's devastating to see that egg basket go up in flames."

A year after the bird flu led to record egg prices and widespread shortages, the disease known as highly pathogenic avian influenza is wreaking havoc in California, which escaped the earlier wave of outbreaks that devastated poultry farms in the Midwest.

The highly contagious virus has ravaged Sonoma County, where officials have declared a state of emergency. During the past two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms have had to destroy more than 1 million birds to control the outbreak, dealing an economic blow to farmers, workers and their customers.

Merced County in Central California also has been hit hard, with outbreaks at several large commercial egg-producing farms in recent weeks.

Experts say bird flu is spread by ducks, geese and other migratory birds. The waterfowl can carry the virus without getting sick and easily spread it through their droppings to chicken and turkey farms and backyard flocks through

droppings and nasal discharges.

California poultry farms are implementing strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the disease. State Veterinarian Annette Jones urged farmers to keep their flocks indoors until June, including organic chickens that are required to have outdoor access.

"We still have migration going for another couple of months. So we've got to be as vigilant as possible to protect our birds," said Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation.

The loss of local hens led to a spike in egg prices in the San Francisco Bay Area over the holidays before supermarkets and restaurants found suppliers from outside the region.

While bird flu has been around for decades, the current outbreak of the virus that began in early 2022 has prompted officials to slaughter nearly 82 million birds, mostly egglaying chickens, in 47 U.S. states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Whenever the disease is found the entire flock is slaughtered to help limit the spread of the virus.

The price of a dozen eggs more than doubled to $4.82 at its peak in January 2023.

Egg prices returned to their normal range as egg producers built up their flocks and outbreaks were controlled. Turkey and chicken prices also spiked, partly due to the virus.

"I think this is an existential issue for the commercial poultry industry. The virus is on every continent, except for Australia at this point," said Maurice Pitesky, a poultry expert at the University of California, Davis.

Climate change is increasing the risk of outbreaks as changing weather

A WORKER moves crates of eggs at the Sunrise Farms processing plant in Petaluma, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, which has seen an outbreak of avian flu in recent weeks. Photo:Terry Chea/AP

patterns disrupt the migratory patterns of wild birds, Pitesky said. For example, exceptional rainfall last year created new waterfowl habitat throughout California, including areas close to poultry farms.

In California, the outbreak has impacted more than 7 million chickens in about 40 commercial flocks and 24 backyard flocks, with most of the outbreaks occurring over the past two months on the North Coast and Central Valley, according to the USDA. Industry officials are worried about the growing number of backyard chickens that could become infected and spread avian flu to commercial farms.

"We have wild birds that are are full of virus. And if you expose your birds to these wild birds, they might get infected and ill," said Rodrigo Gallardo, a UC Davis researcher who studies avian influenza.

Gallardo advises the owners of backyard chickens to wear clean clothes and shoes to protect their flocks from getting infected.

If an unusual number of chickens die, they should be tested for avian flu.

Ettamarie Peterson, a retired teacher in Petaluma, has a flock of about 50

chickens that produce eggs she sells from her backyard barn for 50 cents each.

"I'm very concerned because this avian flu is transmitted by wild birds, and there's no way I can stop the wild birds from coming through and leaving the disease behind," Peterson said. "If your flock has any cases of it, you have to destroy the whole flock."

Sunrise Farms, which was started by Weber's greatgrandparents more than a century ago, was infected

despite putting in place strict biosecurity measures to protect the flock.

"The virus got to the birds so bad and so quickly you walked in and the birds were just dead," Weber said. "Heartbreaking doesn't describe how you feel when you walk in and perfectly healthy young birds have been just laid out."

After euthanizing more than half a million chickens at Sunrise Farms, Weber and his employees spent

the Christmas holiday discarding the carcasses. Since then, they've been cleaning out and disinfecting the hen houses.

Weber hopes the farm will get approval from federal regulators to bring chicks back to the farm this spring. Then it would take another five months before the hens are mature enough to lay eggs.

He feels lucky that two farms his company co-owns have not been infected and are still producing eggs for his customers. But recovering from the outbreak won't be easy.

"We have a long road ahead," Weber said. "We're going to make another run of it and try to keep this family of employees together because they've worked so hard to build this into the company that it is."

PAGE 8, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Airline chief: Do not pin FAA audit blame on us FROM PAGE B1 Bahamasair added. “This audit covers planes already in service.

“As a result, new additions to the fleet cannot be cleared until this process is completed. We anticipate this process to be completed shortly and the certification of the new aircraft to be addressed by FAA and its addition to our US bound fleet. Again, we reiterate that this policy affects not only Bahamasair, but all operators servicing the US market from The Bahamas and registered to CAAB.” Mr Aranha, though, blasted the Bahamasair release as “irresponsible” and “factually incorrect” because the FAA audit in question is focused on this nation’s civil aviation regulatory and oversight regime, plus the quality of the

legislation and legal framework that underpins it as well as how effectively it has been implemented.

He told this newspaper that, in contrast to the Bahamasair release, the FAA’s focus is NOT on Bahamian aviation operators, airlines and their aircraft even though a downgrade from ‘Category One’ to ‘Category Two’ status would “kill” the ability of local industry players to expand in the US - the country’s major visitor source market and trading partners.

“The FAA IASA audit happens every five to seven years,” Mr Aranha said. “To fly to the US, expand routes or add additional planes you have to remain Category One. The audit does a couple of things. The primary purpose of the audit is to check the regulatory and

oversight system of aviation, and the aviation legislation of The Bahamas, and make sure they are performing their duties....

“The Bahamasair release says the audit is taking place with Bahamasair and other operators, Western Air and Trans-Island. None of us are taking part in the audit.

We were not involved in the audit. The audit had nothing to do with us. I speak to the FAA every single solitary day.

“They make it seem as if the operators got audited so that, if we get downgraded, it’s on the operators and the operators have absolutely no power of influence in this space whatsoever.

Bahamasair coming out and making a statement like that is irresponsible because it’s not factually correct. It

has nothing to do with the planes.”

Research by Tribune Business showed that the FAA’s IASA audit is designed to assess a country’s compliance with “eight critical elements of effective aviation safety oversight” as detailed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the global regulatory standard setter.

These elements are identified as a country’s legislative framework; aviation operating regulations; state civil aviation system and safety oversight functions; quality of technical personnel and their training; technical guidance and provision of safety information; licensing, certification and authorisation; surveillance; and how safety concerns are resolved.

Dr Kenneth Romer, The Bahamas’ director of aviation, last week said he expects the FAA audit’s findings to be released by the end of the month while there is an “action plan” in place to rectify any deficiencies identified.

He said: “We had an FAA audit. The head of our Civil Aviation Authority is still presenting the formal findings. So, we do now expect to have the formal document and assessment from the FAA by the end of this month. But there is an action plan as it relates to addressing any remedies we find as a result of this audit.”

Mr Aranha said the FAA IASA audit was announced on July 17, 2023, with the actual assessment taking place last year during the week of October 16 through to October 20. The initial results were supposed to be released within 60 days, but this timeline is now 90-plus days past the audit.

While CAAB officials will have been briefed by their FAA counterparts before the latter left, the TransIsland proprietor said: “What happens is that they will issue their findings to the CAAB. Once they issue their formal findings to Civil Aviation, a downgrade does not take place at that point.

“It goes into a collaborative and consultative period where the FAA and CAAB work over the findings and come up with a concrete action plan. Depending on the outcome of the action plan, the country remains in Category One or gets downgraded to Category Two.” Spelling out the consequences for The Bahamas if the latter outcome were

to happen, Mr Aranha said: “Basically it [Category Two] kills all potential for Bahamian aviation companies to grow. No new planes can be added to US operations, no new routes started by Bahamian companies.

“You get stuck in a suspended civil aviation world.

The Mexican civil aviation authority got downgraded a few years ago, and it took them two years to come back up. The US is our number one market, and to have that taken away from us would be amazingly detrimental. It really would be a shame because our country spent so much money on consultants and hiring people from the US to do it.”

Bahamasair, meanwhile, said that it will deploy its latest Boeing 737 on domestic and non-US international routes until the necessary clearance comes through. “In the interim, the new 737 jet has been certified by Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas to fly into non-US destinations,” it added.

“This includes routes to Haiti, Turks & Caicos and Cuba. Additionally, the craft is certified to service all domestic routes within The Bahamas. Bahamasair remains committed to providing safe and efficient air travel services, and we look forward to the completion of the FAA audit process for the seamless inclusion of our new 737 into our US routes.

“In the meantime, we continue to provide uninterrupted service to our USA routes with other 737 and ATR equipment.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that SALANA SOLOMEY POLIDOR of PO BOX:NIL #36 Brougham street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LOVAN GAIL PORTER of Cool Acres off Joe Farrington Road, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that STEPHANIE CHOUTE of Prince Charles, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that KESLAIRE PAUL of Nassau Village, Taylor Street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, January 29, 2024, PAGE 9

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW IF YOU'RE ABOUT TO FLY ON A BOEING MAX 9 Associated Press BOEING 737 Max 9 jetliners are carrying passengers in the United States again for the first time since they were grounded after a panel blew out of the side of one of the planes.

Alaska Airlines resumed a limited number of flights with its Max 9s on Friday.

United aims to follow suit on Sunday, but a spokeswoman said the airline might use them as spare planes Friday or Saturday.

Those are the only two U.S. airlines that operate this particular model of the Boeing 737.

After seeing video of the frightening flight of a plane with a gaping hole in its side, passengers might reasonably be asking questions about safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration has detailed the process that airlines must follow to inspect — and if necessary, repair — the panels called door plugs, one of which broke loose on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 on Jan. 5. The

plugs are used to seal holes left for extra doors on the Max 9 when an unusually high number of seats requires more exits for safety reasons.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker says his agency's review of everything that has happened since the accident, including gathering information about inspections of door plugs on 40 other planes, gives him confidence that they will be safe so long as the new inspection process is followed.

Alaska Airlines grounded all 65 of its Max 9 jets within hours after one of the two door plugs in the back half of the cabin of flight 1282 blew away while 16,000 feet above Oregon.

The FAA grounded all Max 9s in the U.S. the day after the blowout.

Even though none of the passengers were seriously injured, regulators acted quickly because the accident could have been far worse.

By a stroke of luck, the two seats closest to the

AN ALASKA Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 awaits inspection at the airline’s hangar at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport onJan. 10, 2024, in SeaTac, Wash. Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners will carry passengers in the United States again, starting this weekend, for the first time since they were grounded after a panel blew out of the side of one of the planes.

Photo:Lindsey Wasson/AP panel that blew off the plane were empty when flight 1282 took off from Portland, Oregon. And the plane had not yet reached cruising altitude of more than 30,000 feet, when passengers and flight attendants might have been

walking around instead of being belted into their seats.

Airlines found problems on other planes. Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci told NBC this week that "many" of the planes they inspected had loose bolts that are supposed to help secure the

door plug to the airframe of the jet. United Airlines made similar similar findings.

The FAA is requiring airlines to conduct "detailed visual inspections" of the door plugs and other components, adjust fasteners and fix any damage they find before putting Max 9s back into service. The agency says the process was developed by what they learned from inspections of 40 grounded planes.

United says the process involves removing an inner panel, two rows of seats and a sidewall liner from the cabin. Technicians open the door plug, inspect it and the surrounding hardware, and make any necessary repairs before resecuring the panel.

Alaska Airlines officials said Thursday that they have lost a few sales among people purchasing flights into February — a phenomenon called "booking away" in the airline business. They didn't say how many people have booked away from the Max 9, but

they predicted it would only last a few weeks.

Minicucci, the Alaska CEO, said "at first, people will have some questions, some anxiety," but that "over time" confidence in the plane's safety will be restored.

Travelers returned to the Boeing 737 Max 8 after two of them crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people.

In that case, Boeing had to redesign an automated flight-control system before the FAA would let Max 8s and Max 9s resume flying after a 20-month grounding.

Most people don't bother to look up the type of plane they are booked to fly, although there was an uptick after flight 1282.

Scott Keyes, founder of the travel site Going, said once FAA clears the planes to fly — and if there are no more incidents — the public's memory will quickly fade.

Airline websites typically now include the type of aircraft to be used on a particular flight, but finding the information varies.

PAGE 10, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Most Americans feel they pay too much in taxes, AP-NORC poll finds THE INTERNAL Revenue Service 1040 tax form for 2022 is seen on April 17, 2023. Majorities of U.S. taxpayers say the amount they pay in taxes is too high, with many saying that they receive a poor value for the taxes they do pay, according to a new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Photo:Jon Elswick/AP

By CORA LEWIS and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press A MAJORITY of taxpayers feel they pay too much in taxes, with many saying that they receive a poor value in return, according to a new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Two-thirds of U.S. taxpayers say they spend "too much" on federal income taxes, as tax season begins.

About 7 in 10 say the same about local property taxes, while roughly 6 in 10 feel that way about state sales tax. Generally speaking, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to view taxes as unfair, to say they are paying too much in taxes, and to see taxes as a poor value.

The poll found that few U.S. adults have a high level of confidence that the institutions that ultimately use their tax dollars — whether the federal government or local school districts

— spend those taxes in the best interest of "people like them." But people tend to trust governing bodies closer to home with their tax dollars slightly more: 16% are extremely or very confident in their local school district, compared to 6% for the federal government.

Adults who are 60 and older are more likely than younger adults to perceive taxes, generally, as fair.

Chris Berry, a professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy who was involved in the creation of the poll, said that, overall,

public opinion about taxes and trust in government has declined. He sees the poll results as partly reflecting increased political polarization but says the public has long typically trusted local government more than the federal government.

"One of the things you'll hear said is, 'There's no Democratic or Republican way to collect the trash or pave the streets,'" he said. "We tend to think of local government as less partisan."

Among those who pay federal income taxes, half say they would prefer having fewer government

services if it meant reducing their bill. One-third would keep their taxes the same in exchange for the same services, and 16% would opt to increase taxes for more services.

Danny Velasquez, 39, a business manager and Democrat in Boston who answered the poll, said he trusts local government to spend his tax dollars better than the federal government.

Asked how he would prefer his federal tax dollars be spent, Velasquez said the government "spends too much on war-making" and that he'd prefer "national healthcare and investment in education."

Only about 1 in 4 taxpayers say they get a good value from paying either federal income tax, state sales tax or local property tax. About 1 in 3 in each case say it's a

NOTICE SMA Services Limited Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the Registration Number 177045 B. (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and winding-up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.

Dated this 28th day of December 2023.

WND LIMITED Liquidator

poor value, and roughly 4 in 10 say the value is neither good nor bad.

According to the poll, most U.S. adults say they find either federal income tax or local property tax "unfair," and about half say the same about state income tax, sales tax, and the federal Social Security tax.

Loretta Mwangi, 60, a Democrat who lives in Baltimore, sees taxes as fair and said she doesn't have strong criticisms of how the government allocates tax dollars. Mwangi, who suffers from chronic pain after years of working in warehouses and as a security guard, currently lives on disability benefits.

"They're going by how much you're making and taking a percentage based on that," she said. "There could be more support for education and for the homeless — there are a lot of people under the bridges still."

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 ( 4) of the International Business Companies Act, (No.45 of 2000), M.D.G. ENTERPRISES LTD. (the “Company”) is in dissolution. The date of commencement of the dissolution is January 22nd, 2024. MR. GAD DAVID TISCH is the Liquidator and can be contacted at 661 AV. GROSVENOR, WESTMOUNT, QC H3Y 2S9, CANADA. All persons having claims against the above-named Company are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before February 21st, 2024.

MR. GAD DAVID TISCH Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

DNM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. Registration No. 211,696B (Voluntary Liquidation) DNM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. has been fully dissolved and wound up by the appointed liquidator, GLC Corporate Services Ltd. Thirty (30) days from the commencement of dissolution as outlined in the Plan of Dissolution has expired as of the 22nd day of December., 2023.

DNM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. requests the Registrar General to strike the Company from the IBC Register of Companies.

GLC Corporate Services Ltd. Voluntary Liquidator NOTICE

KLOM CAPITAL LTD. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Registration number 211163 B (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 26th day of January A.D. 2024.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Klauss Martin Andorfato whose address is Pantano 41, RES A Aracatuba, CEP: 16000-000, Aracatuba, SP, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 25th day of February A.D. 2024 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.

Dated this 29th day of January A.D. 2024.

KLAUSS MARTIN ANDORFATO Liquidator

NOTICE

GG LTD. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Registration number 203480 B (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 26th day of January A.D. 2024.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Gustavo Mecchi Gouvea, whose address is Rua Coronel João Euzebio De Almeida 324, MG, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 26th day of February A.D. 2024 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.

Dated this 26th day of January A.D. 2024.

GUSTAVO MECCHI GOUVEA Liquidator

PAGE 12, Monday, January 29, 2024

THE TRIBUNE