NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield said yesterday that the government will look to the advice of health authorities concerning any consideration to implement additional travel bans. He said the government is closely monitoring the United Kingdom and various states in the United States as a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 […]
Tag: travel
HAITI BLOCKED: AG says travel ban prompted by Haiti’s carnival
Travel ban to be lifted on March 8 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Carl Bethel explained yesterday that the government’s decision to block travelers from Haiti for the next three weeks was to mitigate the risk of a surge of COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas as Haitians celebrate carnival. The Bahamas has direct flights to […]
D’Aguilar predicts tourism improvement by mid-year/third quarter
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday predicted that by the middle to third quarter of the year, the country’s tourism sector will begin to improve. Speaking with reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting, D’Aguilar acknowledged that things will get “bumpy” in the short term. He noted that tourism is getting “a lot of […]
Central Bank: Total visitor arrivals down 73 percent from January to November
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total visitor arrivals declined by 73 percent from January to November of 2020 due in large part to the temporary closures of international borders, according to data from the Central Bank of The Bahamas. The regulator, in its quarterly economic and financial developments report for December 2020, noted that according to official […]
Govt to update health visa to expand COVID-19 testing options for travelers
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday that his ministry is moving to update its health visa protocols amidst the United States’ new travel regime. The new measure will expand on the requirements announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for international travelers to first test negative for COVID-19 […]
Govt optimistic about employment in tourism sector
Atlantis optimistic Spring Break will spur reopening of Royal Towers by end of February NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said yesterday he is “very optimistic” about the employment situation in The Bahamas, “especially the touristic sector”. Foulkes was responding to concerns about Atlantis’ latest announcement that it will temporarily furlough some of […]
US to implement quarantine as part of travel protocols
US president establishes 14-day review committee for CDC travel protocols NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Newly inaugurated United States President Joe Biden announced yesterday that international visitors traveling to the United States will be required to quarantine upon arrival in the country. The new measure will expand on the requirements announced by the Centers for Disease Control and […]
Bahamian aviation sector trying to navigate way forward after “massive” scaleback, mounting expenses
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting international and domestic travel, Bahamian aviation industry operators are trying to navigate the way forward, having had to initiate a “massive” scaleback of their operations. Anthony K Hamilton, president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators, told Eyewitness News: “At the onset, I was estimating an […]
D’Aguilar: English-speaking Caribbean countries seeking special consideration for CDC travel regime
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is seeking a waiver from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a Caribbean-wide exemption from its new travel entry requirement, according to Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. The CDC has announced that starting January 26, all air passengers entering the United States will be required to have a […]
D’Aguilar: “Anyone’s guess” on definitive cruise return
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday that The Bahamas is effectively in a “wait-and-see” situation as to when the cruise industry resumes operations, noting that cruise lines remain in the “grasp” of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention CDC). D’Aguilar, who was speaking to reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting […]
MOTA: New US travel requirements “seamlessly integrate” with Bahamas’ anti-COVID efforts
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The recently announced changes to the US’ travel requirements line up with The Bahamas’ efforts to combat COVID-19, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) yesterday. The statement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday announcing that all travelers into the United […]
Port chief: Bahamas “well-positioned” for cruise revival in 2021
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Nassau Cruise Port’s chief executive said yesterday that this nation is “well-positioned” to capitalize on the cruise industry’s revival, noting that its 950 bookings for April through December are better than most ports in the Caribbean recorded annually prior to the pandemic. Mike Maura told Eyewitness News: “On our books right now […]
Carnival Cruise Line cancels March 2021 sailings
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While Downtown Nassau continues to remain a relative ghost town due to the absence of cruise lines, one major cruise line yesterday announced that it has extended the suspension of sailings for at least another month. Carnival Cruise Line announced yesterday morning that it will be canceling all scheduled March 2021 sailings. […]
Tourism expected to take sharp fall in Jan.
The Cove reopens on February 11 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A “sharp fall” in tourism is expected this month as the world continues to grapple with the global coronavirus pandemic, said Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday. D’Aguilar was responding to questions from the media regarding Atlantis’ announcement that some of its employees will be furloughed […]
Sands: Enforce follow-up testing or increase penalties
Stiffer penalties for breaches of travel requirements may be required, says Sands NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands said the government must enforce all aspects of its travel regime, including follow-up testing, to ensure The Bahamas’ safety and that those who enter the country take the health guidelines seriously. On November […]
MOTA says health protocols “well received” by travelers
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The health protocols put in place for visitors to The Bahamas are being “well received”, according to a recent statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) that also claimed “there is optimism” the country will return to record-breaking tourist arrival numbers once safe travel resumes in earnest. The statement noted […]
Bahamas sweeps 2020 travel awards circuit
The Bahamas’ marketing campaigns, most glamor islands, resorts and dive offerings named best in travel NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas was awarded numerous travel awards in 2020 despite seeing a falloff in tourism numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation noted. In a statement, the ministry said: “Despite an unprecedented […]
MOTA launches revamped Bahamas.com website
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — As the Islands of The Bahamas continue to welcome back international visitors ahead of the holiday season, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA) has relaunched Bahamas.com with new features and functionalities allowing travelers to easily plan their next vacation. The new, user-friendly interface includes tools to promote key passion points […]