‘most bullish’ on Bahamas
THE Bahamas’ status as a “front runner” for tourism investment has been reafrmed with non-bank fnanciers identifying this nation as the Caribbean destination they are “most bullish” on when it comes to funding resort and other related projects.
Craig A. 'Tony' Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez managing partner, told Tribune Business that fndings from the accounting frm’s 2026 Caribbean Hospitality Financing Survey show The Bahamas remains “out front” with close to 25 percent, or one-quarter, of non-bank respondents naming this nation as the one that leads the region when it comes to the confdence they have in funding tourism-related developments.
So-called ‘non-bank’ fnanciers were described in the survey as the likes of private equity and
* Near-25% of non-bank tourism funders say nation leads Caribbean * Regional survey finds give country ‘huge boost’ on FDI investment * But more warn Gov’t approvals, business ease growing challenge
investment funds, resort and real estate developers, and family ofces. The Bahamas was also viewed relatively favourably by traditional bank lenders in comparison to other Caribbean territories, which ranked it equal fourth alongside Antigua & Barbuda with close to 10 percent naming it as the country they are most confdent about.
Mr Gomez told this newspaper that the Baker Tilly survey results are “a huge boost” for The Bahamas, which survey respondents consistently named as being among their top three Caribbean destinations when it came to fnancing tourism projects. He explained that the fndings show a solid
Marina chief: Bahamas ‘too greedy’ on boating
THE Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president says business for many Nassau-based and other members ahead of the peak US independence holiday on July 4 is “50 percent of what it was”, and asserted: “We did this to ourselves.”
Peter Maury told Tribune Business that The Bahamas became “over zealous and too greedy”, and tried to extract too much in taxes from the boating/yachting sector without proper
warning and consultation for those afected, as he branded the Government’s boating fee reforms that took efect from April 1, 2026, as “too little, too late” to fully rescue the summer season.
Pointing specifcally to the foreign yacht charter business, which saw its tax rate more than triple from 4 percent to 14 percent when VAT was added in mid-2022, he argued that it had “killed” the market’s highest-spending segment and all those “supportive” Bahamian businesses - such
SEE BOATING, Page 4
BAHAMAS ‘CANNOT TOTALLY REMOVE’ EIA TRANSPARENCY
THE Bahamas “cannot completely remove” transparency and public consultation from the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval process, advocates are warning, while conceding that the present ‘Town Hall’ format may not be the best.
Rashema Ingraham, head of the Bonefsh & Tarpon Trust's Bahamas initiative, told Tribune Business that reforms to the EIA
regulations - which eliminate mandatory public consultation on assessments dealing with development and investment projectsmust not be used merely to stife dissent and feedback from local communities, environmental activists and others.
Instead, she argued that the Government and Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) focus on changing the consultation mechanism used to obtain stakeholder views
SEE SCRUTINY, Page 4
platform for further job-creating investments in this nation’s largest industry and employer exists, laying the foundation for increased activity and much-needed economic growth.
However, the Baker Tilly Gomez chief said the results also highlighted challenges that the entire region - and not just The Bahamas - face in securing investment and bringing projects to fruition. He pointed, in particular, to frequently-expressed fnancier concerns over “constraints on doing business” including the long
Merchant ‘eats’ fuel cost hikes amid back to school concern
A Bahamian home improvements retailer says it has largely “eaten” increased freight and transport costs sparked by higher fuel prices amid warnings elsewhere that parents should brace for higher expenses during this year’s Back to School shopping season.
Brent Burrows II, CBS Bahamas’ vice-president of retail and sales, told Tribune Business that it has largely “absorbed” fuel surcharges imposed by shipping and ground transportation providers and only raised prices on a “handful” of items by no more than 5 percent as it bids to remain cost competitive and ride out the infationary pressures imposed by the global oil price spike.
Disclosing that the retailer has also avoided imposing higher delivery
costs on Bahamian consumers, even as local gas prices spike, he argued that it was “incredibly important” to hold-of any inventory-wide increases “as long as we cam” given that “everyone is struggling” to cope with higher daily living costs.
Tribune Business has seen a chart showing that The Bahamas’ per gallon of gasoline prices are the third-highest in the Caribbean, with only Barbados and Cuba more expensive at $7.54 and $7.38 per gallon, respectively, as at June 15, 2026. Cuba continues to sufer from the US-imposed oil and food blockade, and Caribbean comparisons can be difcult given that taxes and other related factors vary from country to country in infuencing what the fnal pump price is. However, the data is likely to again fuel concerns over high gasoline prices threatening to
SEE EXPENSES, Page 11
Infation hits over 2-year high in March
THE Bahamas’ annual infation rate saw its highest increase in more than two years in March 2026 to demonstrate the near-constant cost of living and pricing pressures facing Bahamian families.
The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), unveiling its report on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for a month which saw the US and Israel trigger an oil price spike by striking Iran, revealed that Bahamian infation increased by 3.1 percent compared to March 2025. The annual, or 12-month infation rate, had been steadily ticking up since September 2025 with increases ranging from 2 percent to 2.8 percent, but March was the frst time it jumped over 3 percent in over two years.
“On a year-over-year basis, March 2026 compared to March 2025, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2026 increased by 3.1 percent compared to the same period in 2025,” the Institute said.
“The primary categories contributing to the yearover-year increase were restaurant and hotels, 17.6 percent; furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 8.5 percent; and the housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category, which also rose by 4.4 percent. In contrast, the category alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics declined by 6.7 percent over the same period.”
Explaining that infation “refects the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by households over time,” the Institute added that the rate increased by 0.35 percent month-over-month for March compared to February 2026.
“The monthly infation rate in The Bahamas increased by 0.35 percent in March 2026 compared to February 2026, refecting changes in the average prices of goods and services purchased by consumers during the period. This follows an increase of 0.95 percent recorded between January and February 2026,” the Institute added.
“On a month-to-month basis, March 2026 compared to February 2026, the largest increases were recorded in clothing and footwear (2.7 percent), transport (1.8 percent) and Health (0.5 percent). In contrast, the largest decrease was observed in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (2.1 percent).”
As for fuel costs, the Institute said:
“The petroleum and diesel index showed a month–over–month increase in March 2026, with petroleum prices rising by 5.4 percent and diesel prices increasing by 6.4 percent relative to February 2026. On an annual basis, both petroleum and diesel prices increased with petroleum seeing a 0.8 percent increase, while diesel increased 2.8 percent over the same period.”
Jet ski operators suffer drop following US alert
jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net
A Bahamian jet ski operator says business has already declined following the US Embassy's warning to American visitors to avoid the industry even as the Trump administration’s ambassador voiced optimism that closer co-operation can restore confdence in the sector.
Vonshaw Brown, owner of Brown's Watersports, said warnings about the industry inevitably infuence visitor behaviour regardless of whether they refect the practices of legitimate operators. "Whenever tourists hear things like this, they're going to pay attention," Mr Brown said.
"You'll always have some visitors who still come because they want to experience The Bahamas for themselves and see that the reports aren't true. But, unfortunately, you also have people who try to use scams, money or social media views to create a
false impression that this is what our industry is about. That's not what we do."
Mr Brown said the negative publicity has had an immediate impact on the jet ski industry. "Business has dropped a lot. Right now, it's defnitely trending downward," he said.
His comments come as debate continues over the future of the jet ski industry following a security alert issued by the US Embassy in Nassau, which advised American visitors to avoid renting jet skis because of concerns over safety, enforcement and criminal incidents involving tourists.
The warning has generated signifcant discussion on both sides of the Florida straits. South Florida jet ski operator, John Rosen, who owns Jet Ski Fort Lauderdale FL, and operates JetSkiFL.com, argued the Embassy's advisory overstated the risks and could unfairly damage legitimate Bahamian businesses.
Mr Rosen said accident fgures cited by the US Embassy did not justify advising visitors to avoid jet ski rentals altogether,
HERSCHEL WALKER
noting that the incidents represented a small fraction of the hundreds of thousands of rentals that have taken place over the past three years.
He also pointed to recent regulatory changes introduced by the Bahamian government, including measures prohibiting operators from riding on the same jet ski as customers, as evidence that authorities are taking steps to improve safety.
However, Herschel Walker, US ambassador to The Bahamas, said the focus should now be on continuing enhanced compliance
Four garbage collectors see contracts suspended
THE Government has suspended four garbage collection contracts after operators failed to meet the required service standards, with a Cabinet minister signalling a tougher enforcement approach aimed at improving reliability and protecting public health.
The Davis administration’s move follows growing complaints from residents over missed collections, overfowing bins and inconsistent service, with several contractors already temporarily removed from their routes as replacement operators ensure garbage removals continue.
Zane Lightbourne, minister of the environment and natural resources, confrmed that service suspensions have been ordered although he declined to identify the contractors involved.
“Suspensions have taken place,” he said. “I can give you specifcs on some of the suspensions. I don’t want to put publicly these companies on blast as yet. But we are willing to go public to get this situation rectifed.
“The responsibility is undertaken under extreme pressure from people wanting to get in the business. Some of them, albeit, they think it’s lucrative. But we can’t do that at the expense of the public health and safety.”
Mr Lightbourne said the Government intends to continue taking action against underperforming operators, particularly those lacking the equipment and capacity to fulfl their contractual obligations.
“We’re asking persons, if you want to get in the garbage collection business, go and seek frst of all what the business is about, get your necessary training and equipment, and make sure that you have reliable equipment to undertake the work and make the investment,” Mr Lightbourne said.
“Because we are going to continue suspending operators and, eventually, expelling operators from
routes.” He added that, with a number of collection contracts approaching their end, contractor performance over the life of those agreements will play a central role in future procurement decisions.
“Contracts are coming to an end shortly, and the evaluation will be taking place cumulatively of what you would have done in your performance over the last few years,” Mr Lightbourne said. “We’re looking forward to that end in some of these areas that we have to constantly send in substitutes to address delinquencies.”
The minister has previously expressed frustration over contractors receiving taxpayer funds despite failing to meet collection schedules, while also criticising operators who continue working without adequate trucks or other essential equipment.
Beyond contractor performance, Mr Lightbourne said his ministry is expanding eforts to combat illegal dumping through additional transfer stations and a broader national clean-up campaign.
He said the transfer station established in Nassau Village has proven efective in encouraging residents to dispose of bulky waste properly. “We fnd that transfer stations, like the one we did in Nassau Village, become very helpful,” he said. “The more of them, the more they use.
“We’re encouraging the volume of garbage to continue because we want to take garbage, especially bulk waste items, out of the communities. We’re taking tons out of communities right now.”
Mr Lightbourne said the Ministry of Environment is co-ordinating with the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority and the Ministry of Works on a national clean-up initiative. “So there’s a national event that’s coming up,” he said.
“Beaches and Parks is a very integral part of it. Happy to have it under the same ministry now that we can fnd the partnership easier to collaborate in.”
and enforcement eforts through co-operation rather than assigning blame.
"When you talk about the jet ski industry, I've always said we can make it better. It's not just about Bahamians or Americans; we have to do this together. That's what partnership is about," said Mr Walker. "There have been accidents... We can fx this, but only if we work together. We have to communicate."
The ambassador said discussions have already begun among stakeholders since the issue gained renewed attention.
"Since that article came out, we've been getting in the room, talking about what we can do," he said. "That's the most important thing. We may not fx everything overnight or
get it 100 percent right, but we've started the process of working on it."
Mr Walker said he remains optimistic about the direction those discussions are taking. "I do feel confdent these steps are helping strengthen the relationship," he said.
"We all have to do the work; not just Bahamians or Americans. We're family. Families argue, but they also love each other. As long as we're communicating, we can get things done."
The US Embassy's advisory followed a series of incidents involving American tourists, including accidents requiring hospitalisation and allegations of sexual assault involving jet ski operators. It also renewed calls for stronger enforcement against
unlicensed operators and greater oversight of the industry.
For Mr Brown, however, the immediate concern is ensuring visitors do not equate the actions of rogue operators with the wider industry. He said most jet ski businesses operate responsibly and are now left trying to overcome the reputational damage caused by the latest warning.
While Mr Walker acknowledged the challenges facing the sector, he maintained that continued dialogue between the Bahamian government, legitimate operators and US ofcials ofers the best path towards rebuilding confdence in an industry that remains an important part of the country's tourism product.
Mr Lightbourne added that illegal dumping remains widespread, particularly on vacant lots, and urged the public to help authorities identify ofenders.
“We want this to become habit, so if you see something, say something,” Mr Lightbourne said.
“And this includes people throwing stuf out of their car, because it’s a massive problem. It does afect us all.”
Consultation mechanism needs replacing rather than elimination
and concerns, acknowledging that the present Town Hall-style public forums often became “adversarial and confrontational” - especially when the projects involved are controversial and generate mixed, emotional views.
Similarly, Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director of The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), told this newspaper that while she and others welcome the “risk-based” approach unveiled in the EIA regulations reforms, which proposes to place the greatest attention and scrutiny on projects that present the greatest impacts, “efciency should never come at the expense of transparency”.
She and BREEF called for greater clarity on which projects will now be subject to EIAs, and argued that those with the potential to impact sensitive sites such as coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds should face “mandatory” public consultation. Both environmental advocates spoke out as the Government’s amendments to the EIA regulations, which accompanied the 2026-2027 Budget, appear set to take efect from
Wednesday, July 1. In particular, they “revoke and replace” section seven of the existing regulations to remove the requirement that public consultation on EIAs be mandatory.
Instead, this is now left to Dr Rihanna Neely-Muprhy, DEPP’s director, and her discretion to determine.
“On the successful submission of environmental documents, the director shall determine whether a public consultative process is required, and advise the project proponent of the process under which such consultation shall be conducted,” the new EIA regulations state. This makes public consultation optional, and whether it occurs will seemingly by decided by DEPP’s director on a case-by-case basis. Other concerns relate to the removal of mandatory public notice requirements when EIAs and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) are submitted for review, which some fear could allow controversial projects that carry potentially major impacts to slip through the regulatory process unknown to the public and without challenge.
“There’s defnitely concern in that area,” Ms Ingraham said of the EIA regulations amendments. “What we hope is that if
they are going to remove that part of the process then there is another mechanism that allows for feedback or consultation, such as a regulatory Board or committee, which is able to provide input.
“That would comprise of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs), whether top tier or second tier NGOs, as well as local government administrators or some representatives from the Chamber of Commerce. There still needs to be some level of engagement by the locals, by the stakeholders. I think the way the process is now is not as transparent as it can be, but there should not be full removal of the opportunity for persons to provide review and input.”
Ms Ingraham added of the present Town Hall meeting-style public consultation: “I don’t think the outcome was what they had intended initially. It was almost very adversarial and confrontational but, on the tail-end, you had many NGOs or conservationists providing feedback by e-mail on the project and that should still be made available.
“There needs to be consultation. The way in which that is done needs review, so this public forum may not necessarily be the right
Marinas’ US Independence Day
as mechanics, provisioners, hull and interior cleaners and Family Island food stores - that rely heavily on it for income. Mr Maury, pointing out that the charter yacht sector was not impacted by boating fee reforms more geared to day-trip and short-term boaters visiting Bimini and the northern Bahamas, told this newspaper: “It’s the week before July 4. I met with several of the marinas in Nassau, and everyone is surprised at how empty we are for this time of year.
“It’s right before US independence and July 10 [Bahamian independence], and it’s empty. A lot of the marina bookings are very slow. Some of the marinas will tell you it’s the worse June they’ve seen in a decade. People have already made their
travel reservations, and the changes they made in April were too little, too late. We’re missing a huge segment of the market, the charter market, and the Government has to put in huge changes for that; it’s just killing the supportive economy.”
The frst Davis administration introduced two new cruising permit fee categories, the 30-day and six-month permits, in April in a bid to reverse the signifcant fall-of in boating and yachting trafc to Bimini and other northern Bahamas destinations due to the cost increases and uncertainty imposed on short-term visitors and smaller boats.
One Bimini homeowner, speaking to this newspaper yesterday, said that - while there has been an increase in boating trafc to the island since the changes
mechanism of consultation…. It’s not even about projects slipping through. It’s about allowing Bahamians to have opinions and being able to express themselves on a particular project whether they are on the island being impacted or another island is experiencing it.
“The way forward should be a review of the process so that we still allow for a transparent process. We need to decide what the right mechanism of public consultation is going to be. It cannot be removed completely. The consultative process needs review. The public forum may not have been the best approach. We need to go back and reconsider what public feedback looks like.”
Ms Ingraham added that The Bahamas cannot aford “to lose the opportunity for a wide range of views” when development projects come up for consideration, and said this nation must also be “mindful” of its international environmental obligations such as the Escazú Agreement, which focuses on access to environmental information, access to justice in environmental matters and public participation in environmental decision-making.
This was echoed by Ms McKinney who, in a written
reply to Tribune Business inquiries, called on the Government to ensure DEPP is “adequately stafed, funded and equipped with the technical expertise necessary to assess projects, monitor compliance and enforce environmental standards”. She added that this is “no small task” in an archipelago such as The Bahamas. “The Bahamas’ natural environment is the foundation of our economy and our way of life. Healthy coral reefs, mangroves, wetlands, seagrass beds and coastal ecosystems support tourism, fsheries, biodiversity, climate resilience and the well-being of our communities. The decisions we make today about environmental governance will have lasting consequences for future generations,” the BREEF chief said.
“BREEF supports an environmental assessment system that is efcient, science-based and proportionate to environmental risk. We welcome aspects of the proposed amendments that strengthen environmental screening by focusing greater attention on projects with the highest potential environmental impacts.
“A risk-based approach is consistent with international best practice and allows regulatory resources
business ‘50% of what it was’
- business has yet to recover to the volumes seen prior to the original amendments implemented on July 1, 2025.
“I was there a couple of weeks ago, and there’s defnitely more boats but it’s defnitely still way of,” the source said. “There’s more activity than when the boating fees were in place, but things are not back to normal. I’m sure a lot of that has to do with the cost of fuel. In Bimini, it was $7.80 for a gallon of gas. It’s always been more expensive there, but I don’t recall it being double what it is on the street in the US. It’s $3.75 there.”
Mr Maury, meanwhile, lamented a fall-out he asserted extends far beyond just Bahamian marinas.
“They need to understand this is high-level tourism that brings a lot of money into this country
for Bahamian businesses,” he said of the Government.
“When people were making travel reservations last year, people knew nothing about the Iran war and the cost of fuel, so they can’t blame it on that. Diesel has dropped and gas in Florida is at $3.70.”
Asked how much marina occupancies and bookings were of in the run-up to US independence, compared to prior years, the ABM president replied: “Oh, 50 percent; half of what it was. We brought this on ourselves. At some point, the Government has to recognise the importance of this tourism segment for Family Island communities because central and southern marinas are empty.”
Pointing to hotel and vacation rental accommodation, as well as the impact to restaurants, liquor and grocery stores, and multiple
to be directed where they are needed most. Likewise, greater emphasis on operational environmental management and monitoring throughout the life of a project has the potential to strengthen environmental stewardship beyond the approval stage.
“However, efciency should never come at the expense of transparency or meaningful public participation.”
Ms McKinney also called for EIAs, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), approvals, monitoring and compliance reports to be made available online via a registry.
“BREEF believes that there should be clarity around which projects require an Environmental Impact Assessment, and those afecting coral reefs, wetlands, mangroves, seagrass beds, marine protected areas and other environmentally sensitive ecosystems should also continue to be subject to mandatory public consultation,” she said.
“Where consultation may be waived, there should be clear, objective criteria and the reasons for that decision should be publicly available. Predictable and transparent decision-making benefts government, developers and the public alike.”
other sectors from the loss of boating trafc, Mr Maury said: “This is direct money into our economy, new money coming into Bahamian businesses and the lives of Bahamians in our economy. “The Government needs to sit with the private sector and hear it from the ABM, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and Bahanms Out Island Promotion Board, as well as the Bahamas Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA).
The BYBA is saying there’s less bookings in The Bahamas and less charters being booked.
“These guys [the Government] can sit there and make excuses about anything they want. The truth is that we did this to ourselves. They got over zealous and too greedy, and tried to get too much money out of the industry and killed it. This Budget cycle, they had better get to grips with it and fx it, or it will get worse,” the ABM president added. “I have spoken and met with boat and yacht owners who said they will
go elsewhere. It’s too easy. I sat with a bunch of boat owners yesterday, and going to Mexico from Florida is 320 milles. It’s 250 miles from south Florida to The Bahamas. It’s not that much further, but there’s this whole misperception that these boats can’t go anywhere else. They can.” Mr Maury said The Bahamas’ taxes and cumbersome, bureaucratic entry processes were making rival destinations “much more attractive” - especially since these locations ofer cheaper fuel and provisions. “Something needs to be done. The Government needs to sit down and listen to stakeholders for a change. Otherwise it’s just going to get worse.
“There’s nobody in the industry that doesn’t want the Government to succeed, the country to succeed, because then we all succeed. There seems to be a misconception that we want this. Nobody wants this. But it seems like the Government has taken on an attitude that it doesn’t listen to anybody any more.”
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Authority targeting five park improvements every quarter
Lightbourne. “As we go forward, we aim to start that quarter timeline - September, October.”
now that process is done analog, it’s done manually. Persons have to physically come to the Authority.”
THE Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority is aiming to improve fve parks every three months starting this September while also seeking to modernise its operations with electronic permits and digital payments by early 2027.
Jamahl Strachan, the Authority’s newly-appointed executive chairman, said it is preparing to launch its park upgrades in the 2026 third quarter. He described the target of fve parks every quarter as aggressive but achievable given support from the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources.
“There’s fve parks per quarter. It’s an ambitious endeavour, but my team and I are defnitely up to it, especially with the support of the minister of the environment,” Mr Strachan said, referring to Zane
While the Authority has already identifed the frst group of parks scheduled for upgrades, Mr Strachan declined to reveal which locations will be included, saying the list remains an internal matter. “We have our initial grouping but, of course, it’s only privy to internal executives for right now,” he said. Alongside physical improvements, the Authority is also moving to digitise its most manual processes by introducing an electronic permitting system for vendors. Mr Strachan said it is targeting December for the system’s initial roll-out, with full implementation beginning in January 2027 through a phased approach. “So we’re aspiring for December with a roll-out in January 2027,” he said. “It has to be a phased approach because the permitting is one thing, but it also has to capture the payments. Right
Mr Strachan added that the goal is to make the process more convenient by allowing vendors to apply for permits and make payments electronically.
The modernisation efort comes as the Authority also works to address long-standing concerns at RM Bailey Park, where vendors have complained for years about fooding, inadequate restroom facilities and uncertainty over which government agency has responsibility for the property. When asked whether vendors can expect improvements, Mr Strachan said discussions to-date have been productive.
“I had a very fruitful discussion with the representatives from RM Bailey just yesterday,” he said. “They left smiling, and I’m sure that they would give a few afrmative winks and positive responses to that. There is, and should be,
positive dialogue surrounding the development of that particular green space.”
Karen Brown, president of the RM Bailey Park and Allied Vendors Association, described her frst meeting with Mr Strachan as encouraging and said his willingness to engage quickly marked a signifcant change from previous interactions with government ofcials. “I never had any dealings with him, but he seems to be thorough,” Ms Brown said. “He said he will try to assist.” Ms Brown said Mr Strachan explained that while the property now falls under the Ministry of Education, the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority continues to maintain the grounds and collect vendor fees.
“He said Parks and Beaches will continue to maintain the parks and we will continue paying the fees under them,” Ms Brown said. “They are managing it, but they are not, according to him, the owners.”
She said Mr Strachan requested until the end of July to explore possible solutions to fooding, which has long plagued the park due to nearby wetlands and what vendors describe as a blue hole on the property.
According to Ms Brown, Mr Strachan indicated that technical assessments may be needed before any drainage work can proceed.
“He wanted to do some drilling to see if it will interfere with the waterline,” she said. “He said he will speak to the minister for works, and he will speak to the minister of environment, and they will try to collaborate and see what they could do for us.”
Ms Brown added that the discussions also included the possible construction of two public restrooms, one for men and one for women.
She said she was particularly impressed by Mr Strachan’s responsiveness after sending him a letter outlining the Association’s concerns.
“I sent it to him on Saturday. I think he got it Monday, and he asked for the meeting yesterday [Thursday],” she said. “That was a quick response.”
While stopping short of declaring victory after years of lobbying for improvements, Ms Brown said vendors are prepared to give the new chairman an opportunity to deliver.
“He was a real gentleman, and it looks like he is willing to work with us,” she said. “I’m willing to give him the beneft of the doubt… I think it was a very, very favourable meeting, and he’s willing to assist in any way he can to make it better for us. So it’s like a breath of fresh air.”
The proposed park rehabilitation programme, coupled with digital permitting and payment systems, represents part of the Authority’s broader efort to improve public green spaces while modernising customer services for vendors and park users across The Bahamas.
Parks and Beaches audit released ‘in due course’
THE Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority has completed a fnancial audit that will be published “in due course”, its executive chairman has pledged, as it seeks to boost public confdence through greater transparency following mutiple budget overruns.
Jamahl Strachan, the Nassau Village MP, confrmed that the long-awaited audit of the Authority’s fnancial performance has been completed and will eventually be tabled in the House of Assembly. The latest promise comes amid continued concerns over the agency’s spending and cost overruns, having exceeded its $29m subsidy for the full 2025-2026 fscal year within the frst nine months.
“Well, the audit is completed and it will be laid in due course,” he said. “So it went well, and it should be made [public] soon or at the appropriate time. I think we have 25 to 26; I think the most recent one year is probably done.”
The audit forms part of a broader push by the Authority to improve accountability and public understanding of its operations - an efort Mr Strachan stressed should not be interpreted as criticism of his predecessor, McKell Bonaby .
During his recent Budget debate contribution, Mr Strachan referred to a “new era” for the Authority,
prompting suggestions he was distancing himself from the previous administration led by Mr Bonaby, its former chairman. However, Mr Strachan dismissed that interpretation.
“When I say new era, it was refective of someone new inside the seat itself,” he said. “We would be building on what the former chairman had, so it’s a new era because of a new chair, but the transparency… is just building on what was already there.”
When asked whether he was satisfed with the Authority’s previous level of openness, Mr Strachan added: “I was satisfed with it, and I actually thank him for all of his eforts, and I look forward to building on his successes.”
He added that improving transparency extends beyond publishing fnancial information, noting that government agencies already disclose expenditure through Budget debates and audits.
“When I spoke about transparency and access, you would have noticed the short clippings of what we actually do, beyond cutting grass, like the lifeguards, the side roads and side bridges, safety protocols, and even more to be displayed, so that the populace knows exactly all of the functions of Beaches and Parks,” Mr Strachan said.
The audit comes as the Authority embarks on an internal modernisation drive designed to improve operational efciency and strengthen service delivery. It brought together its
nearly 200 employees for what ofcials described as the frst training seminar involving every department, location and level of the organisation under one roof.
“What we want to do is build on the standards that we have, but also inform of the new standards, so that we have a more streamlined Authority going forward and everybody is in sync,” Mr Strachan said. He added that the seminar will provide a comprehensive review of every department, outline operational upgrades and position the Authority for future expansion.
“The staf complement is not only essential to us, but how it will be expanded, so that we have the capacity beyond that 200 [staf] to accomplish what we need to accomplish,” Mr Strachan said. Addressing employees, Mr Strachan paid tribute to Mr Bonaby, saying his predecessor’s leadership had laid “a strong foundation” for the organisation.
“We are here not just to continue his legacy, but to build upon it, creating a brighter and more vibrant future for every Bahamian and every visitor to our shores,” he said.
Mr Strachan said the Authority’s work extends far beyond routine maintenance, arguing that clean parks, beaches and public spaces play a direct role in supporting tourism, enhancing public safety and strengthening national pride.
“As your executive chairman, I have a clear vision
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for our authority,” he said.
“I want us to become one of the most modern, one of the most innovative, and one of the most respected agencies in The Bahamas.”
Achieving that vision, Mr Strachan added, will require greater professionalism, accountability, improved
customer service and wider adoption of technology.
Samantha Anderson, the senior operations director for Parks and Beaches, described the seminar as “a signifcant milestone” because it united every employee under a single vision centred on modernisation, innovation, accountability and operational excellence. She said the training marked “the frst of many” professional development initiatives designed to improve efciency, clarify
NHI reassures 160k patients that care access stays stable
in reimbursement despite a 50 percent, or near-$25m, increase in its Budget allocation for the 2025-2026 fscal year.
THE National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) yesterday moved to reassure the 160,000 Bahamians it provides healthcare to that its network remains stable, rejecting suggestions that payment delays are prompting doctors and other providers to exit the scheme.
The Authority, which oversees and administers the Government’s signature primary healthcare initiative, said access to care continues without interruption.
In a statement, it added that its network remains "strong and fully capable" of serving registered benefciaries through 140 providers and 17 laboratories across The Bahamas.
The statement comes after recent public discussion surrounding delayed payments to healthcare providers, including the circulation of an internal NHI Authority memorandum advising physicians, laboratories and other providers to expect continued delays
The memorandum, reported by Tribune Business, acknowledged that payment delays would continue while assuring providers that the authority remained committed to meeting its fnancial obligations.
The issue was also raised during debate in the 2026-2027 Budget in the Senate, where Opposition senators questioned whether increased government funding for the NHI Authority would resolve payment concerns and address questions about the programme's long-term sustainability.
Responding to those concerns, the NHI Authority said it has not received any requests from providers seeking to withdraw from the programme because of payment issues.
"NHI Authority has not received any provider withdrawal requests citing payment issues. Unverifed claims regarding provider or facility movement creates unnecessary concern and undermines public confdence in a programme
that thousands of Bahamians rely on every day," the Authority said.
Christy Butler, the NHI Authority’s managing director and chief executive, said access to healthcare services has not been afected. "There is no instability in the NHI Authority provider network and access to care for Bahamians continues without interruption. Our focus remains on facts, continuity of care and strengthening access to quality healthcare for every benefciary across The Bahamas," said Ms Butler.
The Authority also sought to counter suggestions that providers are losing confdence in the programme, saying interest in participation remains strong. It said it continues to receive applications from existing providers seeking to expand services, facilities onboarding additional physicians and new healthcare facilities and laboratories applying to join the network.
It added that more than 90 percent of physicians who have exited the network have either joined another NHI-afliated facility or established independent practices before
applying to rejoin the programme.
The Authority said that while its patient-centred fnancing model may not suit every practice structure, mechanisms are in place to ensure continuity of care whenever providers choose not to continue in the programme or contracts are not renewed.
"Where providers choose not to continue within the programme, or where contracts are not extended, NHI Authority takes proactive steps to supplement the network and ensure benefciaries continue to receive timely services," the Authority said.
Questions over delayed payments resurfaced last week during the Senate debate on the Government's Budget, after Opposition Senator, Arinthia Komolafe, asked whether the increased allocation to NHI - from $48m to $72m - would address complaints from providers who say reimbursement delays are afecting their operations.
"We know there is the conversation that there's delay in payment and it's impacting their operation," said Mrs Komolafe, asking whether the additional
funding would resolve those issues during the upcoming fscal year.
Government Senator, D'Asante Small, acknowledged that payments have been delayed but maintained that reimbursements had not stopped. "Please note that NHI payments have not stopped," she said. "While there have been some delays, payments are ongoing, and the most recent payment process was the initial 50 percent payment for May 2026, which was completed last week."
Mrs Small also argued that while some providers have raised concerns about the programme, there remains "a very long list" of healthcare providers waiting to participate in NHI, suggesting many continue to see value in joining the network.
"While we do have some of our participants in the NHI programme that have expressed concern, it's a very long list of providers that are waiting to join that list," she said. "It is clear that while some providers are met with challenges, there are others who see the opportunity."
That prompted Opposition Senator, Dr Trevor
Johnson, to ask whether dissatisfed providers could simply leave the programme and be replaced by those waiting to participate, while Mrs Komolafe questioned whether the Government's position was efectively that providers unhappy with payment delays could opt out because others were prepared to take their place.
Mrs Small later clarifed she was not suggesting providers should leave, but was highlighting that opinions on the programme difer among healthcare providers and that many continue to view participation as an opportunity.
In its statement, the NHI Authority echoed that position, saying interest in joining the programme remains strong and emphasising that it continues to monitor and strengthen network capacity to ensure access to primary healthcare services throughout the archipelago.
The Authority encouraged benefciaries experiencing difculty accessing services to contact it directly for assistance, saying continuity of care remains its top priority.
Bahamas ‘second to none’ over connectivity for airlift
wait time, and associated uncertainty and cost, for government approvals; difculties and delays in obtaining necessary work permits; and inadequate utilities and infrastructure.
Mr Gomez added that accountants, attorneys and others who have represented foreign direct investment (FDI) clients have become accustomed to “approaching every contact available” in a bid to secure the necessary permits, and said: “We do not expect a gradual pace; we expect a normal pace of approvals, and that has been the challenge.”
He also urged The Bahamas to constantly refresh its tourism product to remain ahead of Caribbean and other global competitors, and argued that this nation has to “take it up a notch” with the long-promised redevelopment of downtown Nassau and Bay Street into a destination that attracts locals, residents and tourists alike.
As for how the increasing adoption of artifcial intelligence (AI) might impact tourism, Mr Gomez said “the jury’s still out” - based on the 2026 Caribbean Hospitality Financing Survey fndings - on whether, and how much, the evolving technology may impact tourism jobs and employment medium and long-term, with present efects largely focused on fight schedules and helping visitors book both plane seats and accommodation in their chosen destination.
However, the results left little doubt that The Bahamas’ remains one of the Caribbean’s leading destinations for tourism fnancing and investment. The nextmost popular locations for non-bank lenders to deploy their capital were named in the survey as Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, both cited by between 15-20 percent of respondents compared to The Bahamas’ near-25 percent.
Asked to identify why they found particular Caribbean territories attractive for funding tourism projects, fnanciers - both banks and non-banks - consistently cited The Bahamas as being among the top three. “DR (Dominican Republic), Jamaica, Bahamas – growing economies and growing demand,” one unnamed respondent said. Another added: “Cayman, Bahamas, Jamaica due to stability, airlift and proximity to key source markets.”
A third, giving a more detailed explanation, said: “Turks & Caicos - mature luxury market with strong global investor appeal supported by acceptable modern infrastructure. Bahamas - political and monetary stable economy. Mature tourism industry and great real estate development opportunities. Jamaica - Mature tourism economy and great opportunities emerging due to the massive investment in all island road infrastructure etc, which now opens up new real estate deals.“
Mr Gomez told Tribune Business he believes The Bahamas “is always
well-poised” to attract tourism-related investments due to its political stability and continuity; proximity to its key Florida and US northeast coast markets; and perceptions that it remains a “neutral” or “safe space” during times of global confict, such as the ongoing Middle East war involving Iran, when visitors want to remain close to home.
“That is a huge boost for The Bahamas,” the Baker Tilly Gomez chief said of this nation’s leadership position as the country non-bank lenders are most bullish on. Noting that just such a fnancier, Brookfeld Asset Management, owns the Atlantis resort, he added: “Tourism is big business. When there is a good feel that The Bahamas is viewed as among the top three Caribbean destinations, it can only mean a good thing for The Bahamas and that we are doing what we do well.
“The more we can grow, and the more we attract and better we refresh our tourism product….. Once we invest in our own product, we make The Bahamas a more attractive place for tourists to come, and fnd something to do, because we have taken our tourism product up a notch.
“If we develop downtown, there are two types of people that will attractthe tourists and Bahamians alike, where locals engage and have their own place. The tourists will engage even more. That’s a boost to be ranked in the top three. It’s important we get this [downtown Nassau] up to
speed and acceptable levels, and continue to enjoy and share our tourism product.”
Mr Gomez added that The Bahamas also needs to work on ensuring it is not perceived solely as New Providence, but is a destination of multiple islands and cays each with their own specifc visitor attractions. Alongside resorts, boutique hotels, vacation rentals and bonefsh lodges, he said the survey showed “smaller” fve to ten room properties, with average visitor stays of three nights, had also proven popular with lenders.
“The Caribbean is a destination,” Mr Gomez said. “The Bahamas is out front in the tourism product because, when other nations in the region didn’t think about their tourism product, we were refreshing ours. Everyone is in the tourism space, but The Bahamas has always been out front. We have developed a world class airport and cruise port, and want to develop Family Island infrastructure. We consider ourselves to be a front-runner in the industry and the survey supports that.
“We are second to none in the Caribbean in terms of airlift. The airlines serve routes that are top feeders for us. The one thing we can brag about is that, if you miss a fight to Miami, there’s very likely another carrier going to Florida or Miami in the next hour. That’s always been an advantage for travellers coming to The Bahamas. That positions us as a desirable country, diferent
country to any other places in the Caribbean.”
However, the Baker Tilly survey results showed ease of doing business concerns persist across The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Some 62 percent of non-bank lenders signalled “it is becoming more difcult to conduct business in the Caribbean”an increase from 56 percent in 2024. “It is increasingly hard to secure new work permits and even more diffcult to gain approval for permit changes for promotions,” one investor said.
Another added: “Governments keep making it very difcult at the tactical level, with time to deliveryand uncertainty of delivery - of work permits, Business Licences, etc”. Mr Gomez, afrming these fndings, told Tribune Business: “What is challenging for us is investors are fnding constraints on doing business with us.
“The challenge remains the same for non-banks and banks - getting government approvals, getting work permits and the necessary infrastructure and utilities in place. Many of the bank and non-bank investors are fnding this the biggest challenge in the Caribbean, not just The Bahamas. Everyone is complaining about the process of getting approvals to jump-start projects in the tourism space.
“Non-banks report that it is more difcult to conduct business in the Caribbean, particularly in areas like timelines, bureaucracy and the general role of government in assisting inward investment,” Mr Gomez said.
“That’s the challenge across the Caribbean, but we have heard these very same concerns in The Bahamas. The challenge going forward is to ensure, in terms of approvals and the approval process, the way forward is we have to be less delayed and bureaucracy is removed.
“What does that mean? We know we have to go through a process. We should not expect a oneday approval, but we should also not experience undue delays in the approval process. Many of us who have acted on behalf of clients over the years know you have to approach every available contact to get an approval package we can use.
“We do not expect the quickest pace. We expect a normal pace of approvals. That has been the challenge for many investors, banks and non-banks, in moving investments along in The Bahamas and this survey shows it’s not only The Bahamas; it’s the rest of the Caribbean as well.”
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Downtown shopping special’s boost for local entrepreneurs
THE Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) sought to support Bahamian entrepreneurship at its Sun, Sand and Souveniurs shopping event on Saturday, which was held from 11am to 4pm in downtown Nassau.
Hosted at the TDC’s retail incubation centre
on the corner of East Bay Street and East Street, the event showcased a diverse collection of locally-made products from Bahamian artisans and entrepreneurs. Attendees were able to shop for handcrafted goods, specialty foods, fragrances, straw work, accessories and other authentic Bahamian products while meeting the creators behind the brands. Participating vendors included All Things Straw, Dings Collection, Eyes Bahamian, Island Cache, Latitude 25 Perfumery, Mama Sassy’s Gourmet Food, Myrlande Julien and Treasure of Secrets.
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The event highlighted the role of the Sun, Sand and Souveniurs Incubation Centre, a TDC initiative designed to help Bahamian entrepreneurs gain visibility, build their businesses and access opportunities within the tourism industry. The centre provides a retail space where small business owners can connect with customers and receive support as they grow their brands. “The incubator is a start-up programme for entrepreneurs in The Bahamas to bring their most viable products to market,” said Anthony Bostwick, the TDC’s deputy chairman. “It ofers signifcant advantages, including reduced operating costs, administrative assistance, mentorship and a safe environment for entrepreneurs to start their businesses.” Through initiatives hosted by the TDC, the goal is to continue to create pathways for Bahamians to beneft from the tourism economy while showcasing authentic products and experiences.
Forestry Unit teams for national mangrove plan
THE Government’s Forestry Unit has teamed with the Bahamas Project for Marine Conservation to host the National Mangrove Management Plan inception workshop.
The workshop, held on June 16 at the Courtyard Marriott in Nassau, brought together government agencies, conservation partners, technical experts, community representatives and other key stakeholders to support the development of a co-ordinated national framework for the conservation, restoration, sustainable management and long-term monitoring of mangrove ecosystems across The Bahamas.
The Forestry Unit, in a statement, said mangroves are among The Bahamas’ most valuable natural ecosystems, providing nursery habitats for fsheries, protecting coastlines from
PARKS, from Page 5
responsibilities and invest in employees. “Today represents an investment in our greatest asset - people,” Ms Anderson said. “We are committed to building a culture where employees feel valued, respected, supported and empowered through the growth of professionalism, while delivering exceptional service to our Bahamian public.”
David Barry, the Authority’s managing director, echoed that message, telling staf that continuous improvement rather than one-time achievements
storm surge and erosion, supporting biodiversity and strengthening climate resilience.
It added that the development of a National Mangrove Management Plan represents an important step toward improving national co-ordination and guiding future mangrove-related actions. The workshop provided an opportunity to introduce the proposed planning process, gather stakeholder input, identify existing data and knowledge gaps, and discuss island-specifc priorities, threats and opportunities. Participants held technical presentations and break-out group discussions focused on policy, governance and sustainable fnance; spatial data, GIS and monitoring; threats, pressures, restoration and management responses; and stakeholder engagement and awareness.
would defne the Authority’s future success.
“Excellence is not something we achieve once,” he said.
“It is a habit we practice every day. Small improvements made consistently by every employee will tremendously impact our organisation and the service that we provide.”
Zane Lightbourne, minister of the environment, said the Authority’s modernisation is closely aligned with the ministry’s broader environmental objectives, noting that well-maintained parks and beaches contribute not only to tourism but also to biodiversity, climate
Danielle Hanek, acting director of the Bahamas Forestry Unit, said stakeholder participation is central to developing the National Mangrove Management Plan, particularly because this requires collaboration among government, civil society, academia, local communities and conservation organisations.
“This workshop reafrmed the deep commitment Bahamians share to conserving our mangroves - vital national resources that protect our coasts and sustain our fshing communities,” she said.
“As the Government’s focal point for mangrove management, the Forestry Unit remains steadfast in ensuring these ecosystems are managed sustainably for the beneft of all Bahamians.
“Most importantly, this workshop ensured that as we advance the National
resilience and community well-being.
“As The Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority embarks upon a new chapter within the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, we are also embracing a culture of continuous improvement - one that strives to be more professional, more responsive, more accountable, more innovative and more focused on delivering exceptional service to the Bahamian people,” Mr Lightbourne said. He added that fulflling the Authority’s mandate requires more than funding or equipment. “It is
Mangrove Management Plan, every voice is at the table, shaping a future that refects the needs of all our islands.”
The workshop also supported ongoing data collection and information gathering for the plan, including identifying existing datasets, past and current mangrove-related projects, priority areas for conservation and restoration, community concerns and opportunities for improved co-ordination.
The Forestry Unit said the information gathered will help inform the next phases of the National Mangrove Management Plan’s development process, including technical assessments, stakeholder consultations, spatial analysis, socioeconomic considerations and the preparation of national recommendations.
achieved by people,” he said.
“When you grow professionally, the Authority grows stronger and the people of The Bahamas receive better service.”
Held under the theme, ‘Strengthening our team, elevating service excellence and professionalism’, the seminar represents the frst phase of what ofcials say will become an ongoing programme of staf development as the Authority seeks to improve efciency, expand its capacity and enhance public confdence through stronger governance and greater transparency.
make the Bahamian economy and businesses uncompetitive. Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, the region’s two largest oil and natural gas producers, have the lowest per gallon prices at $4.26 and $4.32, respectively, while The Bahamas’ June 15 fgure was close to double the $3.875 per gallon price in the US.
Current gas prices on New Providence range from $7.03 at Shell to $7.34 per gallon at Rubis, and these are likely to be at least one dollar higher in the Family Islands. Crude oil prices, as measured by the Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate indices, were rising again last night following the weekend exchange of strikes between the US and Iran, trading at around $73 and $71 per barrel, respectively.
Mark A Turnquest, founder of the 242 Small Business Association and Resource Centre, and a well-known consultant to the sector, told Tribune Business that the oil and fuel price uncertainty means that Bahamian shoppers should brace for “inevitable” price hikes during the upcoming Back to School shopping season as merchants will have little choice but to pass higher freight and shipping costs on to their customers.
Explaining that the extent of any increases will depend on the shipping bills that retailers receive for early July, when fnal Back to School product deliveries are typically scheduled to arrive, he predicted that the upcoming shopping period - frequently one of the busiest times for Bahamian retailers - will be “a little more expensive than last year”.
Mr Burrows, meanwhile, said he and CBS Bahamas have yet to see any decline in gasoline and diesel prices despite global oil costs retreating from their $110-plus per barrel peak at the height of the confict between the US, Israel and Iran. “It doesn’t seem like it’s come down at all,” he added.
“Tropical Shipping has a fuel surcharge that was put on a month, six weeks ago. That is pretty common. Even with land trucking, to get your stuf to the port, we had a few of those going on. We haven’t seen any of them removed as of yet.”
Mr Burrows, though, disclosed that the impact of these cost increases has largely been negligible for CBS Bahamas and its prices to end-consumers locally.
“There were some products where we had to do some slight increases, more of our commodity-type products,” he told this newspaper.
“We had some minimal price increases; 5 percent on a handful of them but, for the most part, looking at our inventory as a whole, we haven’t changed them. We’ve absorbed it for the most part. Hopefully, as fuel prices go down, some of those surcharges will go away, and hopefully we will avoid any further price increases and can actually bring them back down.”
The CBS Bahamas chief said that steel doors, cement board and joint compound are among the building and construction-related products whose prices it has been forced to increase, describing the latter as “a big one”.
Mr Burrows added:
“Those were three of our most notable price increases over the last few weeks. I don’t think they were any more than 5 percent. It was just a handful of items in the scheme of things; basically nothing.
“It seems that high oil prices have been going down quite quickly and drastically. We’d hope those freight companies just as quickly as they put fuel surcharges on will take them of. Locally, we’ve not even increased our delivery charges to the customer. We’ve been eating that cost as well.
“The reality is everybody’s struggling, everyone is having to put up with higher fuel prices. Just holding up on any kind of store-wide price increase as long as we can is incredibly important. We want to maintain our competitiveness,” he continued.
“Everyone has to deal with increased fuel costs and surcharges, so the longer we can hold of the better. Hopefully the fuel
CBS Bahamas ‘holding off as long as we can’
goes back down, and hopefully those fuel charges go down, and all will be good. The good thing is none of our actual suppliers went up on product price; it’s just freight and trucking. It’s the cost of getting them here that has to come back down.”
Mr Turnquest, who counts numerous clothing and electronic retail stores among his clients and members, told Tribune Business that they will likely assess
expenses and pricing when their next imported product shipment arrives. “Talking to my clients, they haven’t received it yet, but I guarantee within a month they will start to evaluate prices because of the gas and shipping cost increases relative to fuel and everything else,” he said. “It’s going to start most defnitely from July, August and September. Those three months. It is inevitable. It cannot be corrected in the short-term. It’s
going to be the latter part of July, August and September. The Back to School months are going to be a little more expensive than last year in reference to pricing. Fuel costs afect everything, shipping costs and other stuf too, and drive everything up.”
Mr Turnquest, like Mr Burrows, said his retail members and clients are not seeing any increases from suppliers - the only cost pressures coming in freight,
shipping and transportation expenses due to higher global oil and fuel expenses. He added that merchants will seek to keep any Back to School-related price increases “to a minimum”.
“They have to look at this last bill coming for the summer; end of June, early July,” Mr Turnquest said.
“That’s when they will get their shipping costs. That’s when they will be able to determine how much the increase will be. It’s not
going to be overwhelming where they try to price hike, and try to get a lot of proft. It ain’t going to be price gouging, but they have to cover their costs and move from there.
“Right now, the market is just waiting to see, waiting on the shipping prices coming in for July so they can determine what Back to School is going to be. There’s not too much fexibility to raise prices. We have to keep it steady and base it on market demand and what consumers can aford.”
