NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Local water-based excursion operators have seen on average a 70 to 75 percent sales decrease due to the COVD-19 pandemic, with a dozen operators having now formed an association to lobby for changes in the industry.
Krystianna Pinder, accounting manager at Born Free Charters and a founding board member of the Bahamas Excursions Operators Association (BEOA), told Eyewitness News: “It seems that 70 percent to 75 percent seems to be the average decrease in sales for most excursion operators when comparing 2019 to 2020.
“Our company was lucky enough to have a few local charters once the beaches opened. We had a few charters leading up to Christmas and right after, but really from March 20 to December it was dismal with our company not being able to operate at all for the majority of those months due to the lockdowns.”
She added: “To be completely honest, I don’t think that anyone really knows what 2021 has in store, especially where tourism is concerned. I think that 2020 proved very well that there are no rules for this pandemic.
“If you would have asked us in March when this all started, we were rather confident of this whole thing being over and done with and tourists would be flying in by the thousands for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But that obviously didn’t happen.
“Spikes in cases in the US and Europe, and even here at home, led to less people travelling, more people unemployed with no money to travel and less business ultimately for our operators.”
Pinder said that while excursion operators would like to remain optimistic that there will be a rebound at some point in 2021, the reality of that “seems to get slimmer and slimmer every day”.
“The goal here is to hold on for as long as possible and make any jobs that do come around count,” she said.
“Our hope is that when the country does see visitors arriving in pre-COVID numbers, that we will still be here to do what we do best, and that is to share the beauty of our country with others.”
The BEOA was formed to strengthen the voice and align the requests of Bahamian-owned excursion operations, which have not only been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but feel mostly unrepresented in the government’s response.
Bahamian businesses have been providing water-based experiences to visitors for decades, while employing and training Bahamians and reinvesting directly into the local economy. Despite the number of operators nationally, there still remains substantial opportunity for growth. The BEOA hopes to lobby for changes that would foster greater opportunities, carving out more of the lucrative tourism pie for Bahamians.
Pinder said: “Tourism, the backbone of The Bahamian economy, is comprised of many players. Quite often, however, larger entities — such as the hotels and cruise operators — tend to be the only bodies with a seat at the table.
“By forming an association and streamlining our message, we are seeking to change this.”
In a statement, the BEOA said: “While the ultimate goal is to advance this tourism industry subsector for more Bahamian participation, there are immediate actions the government can take to indicate endorsement of this objective.”
The BEOA is calling on the government to equalize the tax regime for Bahamian versus foreign operators; tighten enforcement of industry regulations to combat unlicensed operators (hackers); and prohibit transient vessels from operating unlicensed in Bahamian waters.
Founding board members of the association include Iola Knowles, Sandy Toes; Krystianna Pinder, Born Free Charters; Michelle Cove, Stuart Cove’s; Andoni Lisgaris, Reel Dreams Sport Fishing Charters; and Shaw Knowles, Pieces of 8 Charters. Other members include Powerboat Adventures, Party Cat Cruises, Reel Deal Fishing Charters, Tour Daddy, Island King, Seahorse Sailing and Pearl Island.
The association is hoping to grow and attract members who provide water-based excursions and activities to both visitors and Bahamians, and who are fully licensed and compliant with government regulations.
