The Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar says that tourism has registered double-digit growth since the beginning of the year.
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Bahamas director general of tourism Joy Jibrilu is among a compelling list of speakers attending the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development to held on St Vincent and the Grenadines towards the end of the month.

Experts will address ways the region can respond to challenges posed to its sustainability by realities such as climate change, changes to consumer consciousness and shifts in consumer demands and purchasing preferences.

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The Bahamas is one of the Caribbean’s most in demand destinations, according to travel firm Expedia Group which noted a 39 per cent increase in bookings to the archipelago from April to June, in comparison to the same period last year.

Standalone demand to the top Caribbean markets of Cuba, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and Aruba grew by 28 per cent in Q2 2019 with most visitors coming from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil and France.

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Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to The Bahamas reached $947 million last year, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The country’s tourism industry took the lion’s share with cruise line-driven projects such as Royal Caribbean’s $200 million investment in its private island CocoCay and Disney’s multi-million dollar purchase of property in Eleuthera boosting the numbers.

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Investar Securities Ltd‘s recently launched Titan Balanced Fund has raised more than $4.5 million from individual and institutional investors in just over a month, according to the Bahamian investment group.

“The initial offering period met and exceeded every expectation,” said Investar Securities Ltd president and CEO Ansel Watson. “The response was everything we hoped and more.”

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Bahamas Customs and Excise Department has launched a public awareness campaign as it continues to integrate technology into its operations.

The Customs Modernization Initiative includes a new online portal and the Click2Clear service which will allow importers clarity and consistency as they negotiate the necessary documentation and regulation. With customs processes digitized and automated, online payments will be accepted round the clock and there will be tighter controls and a strengthened risk management infrastructure.

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Cosmetics is a growing and profitable market for Caribbean producers, according to regional trade group Caribbean Export which praised local firm bahamaSpa for bringing its line of natural soaps and lotions to European consumers.

The natural cosmetics industry is growing at an annual rate of 8-10 per cent in the European Union, according to Caribbean Export, and 50 per cent of British consumers prefer to buy cosmetics made from natural ingredients.

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The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration (left) paid a courtesy call on Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith at Government House, August 12, 2019.

The Bahamas has stepped up its efforts to reduce single-use plastics in the country with the release of the Environmental Protection Bill – now available on the government’s website as it seeks public consultation and feedback.

The new Bill provides for a complete ban of single-use plastics and styrofoam by 2020, eliminating items such as plastic straws, styrofoam food containers and single-use plastic shopping bags.

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Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Cornelius A. Smith hosted the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers to an Official Luncheon at Government House on August 13, 2019.

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