By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) yesterday warned that first impressions were “critical” to the visitor experience in this country, a day after its major gateway was affected by Immigration processing delays.

“The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association recognises that the visitor first impressions are critical to positive experiences in the Bahamas. We support the Ministry of Tourism, the Nassau Airport Development Authority (NAD) and all tourism stakeholders who strive to provide a standard of service excellence,” the BHTA’s president, Stuart Bowe, said in an e-mailed response to Tribune Business yesterday.

While NAD executives confirmed to Tribune Business that operations were back to normal yesterday, a shortage of Immigration officers on Wednesday meant the airport was affected by delays in processing passengers, with some waiting in line for several hours.

Coming on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a peak business period for the hotel and tourism industry, the Immigration officer shortage and resulting delays could not have occurred at a worse time.

“Passengers are being processed in very reasonable fashion, and there have been no delays, and no complaints,” Vernice Walkine , NAD’s chief executive, said in an e-mailed response to Tribune Business inquiries about the situation yesterday.

According to figures provided to Tribune Business by NAD, international arrivals yesterday were estimated at 2,472, and domestic arrivals at 1,162. Estimated domestic and international departures were 1,218, with US departures estimated at 2,619.

By comparison, on Wednesday international arrivals were estimated at 3,388, and domestic arrivals at 785. Estimated domestic and international departures were 1,390, with US departures estimated at 2,600.

On Wednesday, more than a dozen Immigration officers who were scheduled to work reportedly called in sick, but the Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) denied there was a sick-out or work-to-rule.