25% occupancy cannot even cover operational costs much less pay mortgage.

I am beginning to like you again. The average hotel occupancy rate in the Caribbean is about 66%.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2017…

D'Aguilar (a/k/a the Customs Duty Dodger) has a very direct conflict of interest in all matters involving Baha Mar, and the fact that he denies it says much about his lack of integrity. The Customs Duty Dodger was a director of Baha Mar at the time it granted many 'favours' to corrupt senior officials and their family members in the last government, including Crooked Christie and his family, the Evil Wicked Witch (Maynard-Gibson) and her family and others. The outrageously generous concessions given to Baha Mar by the last government (that Bahamian taxpayers cannot afford and our country must now borrow to pay) were the obvious quid pro quo for the 'favours' granted by Baha Mar to senior PLP officials at the time D'Aguilar sat on the board of Baha Mar. This constantly yapping white-haired little poodle has cost our country mega-millions of dollars as a result of his role as a director of Baha Mar. As a director he certainly knew full well what corrupt deals were being cut for the outrageous concessions granted to Baha Mar, as did that other Freemason Robert "Sandy" Sands. Of course Sandy Sands's role at Baha Mar has not changed since the government has changed.....he must now just go about cutting a whole new set of corrupt deals with senior officials of a new government, no doubt with the help of his close friend, the Customs Duty Dodger! By appointing the constantly yapping white-haired little poodle as Minister of Tourism, Minnis failed to recognize the grave conflict of interest the little poodle has in all matters involving Baha Mar....and that certainly does not speak well of Minnis's own ability to see and avoid serious conflicts of interest that usually underly very corrupt activities of one kind or another.

Comrades! If the organisers Fyre Festival [Tent Shantytown for white foreigner folks] didn't think asking their guests to brungs their own toilet paper was going be such a big deal [And, no - I I didn't make that one up] - then why not place Dionisio D'Aguilar as the minister of tourism to be responsible for getting Baha Mar up full guests occupancy - the same Dionisio that can't wait to evict the Chinese and move back-in his former boss man's Izmirlian to run the joint? [And, no - I didn't make Dionisio up either].
Conflicting or not.....you tells me, okay?

D'Aguilar is absolutely conflicted in both appearance and actuality and it reflects poorly on the FNM. Remember corruption and poor governance starts in small matters and overtime escalates into what we saw in the last years of the PLP "rule".

Why was the duty on commercial washing machines and dryers reduced so quickly when the residence of Bain Town can't get their inner city tax exemptions until "next year"? Why hasn't VAT been removed on bread basket items? Who benefits from duty reductions on commerical washers and dryers? Certain not the residence of over the hill. They are still being charged the same amount to do their laundry. While multi millionaires get richer and richer. Shame. Shame. Shame.

We should follow standard practices as seen in the US. Rex Tillerson, US Secretary of State who recused himself on issues related to Russian oil drilling because he was the former CEO of Exxon with deep ties to Russia.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself of the Russian investigation of the Trump administration on the simple basis that he chatted with the Russian Ambassador during the campaign.

D'Agular was a former Director of Baha Mar and highly critical of the Chinese before the election. The former beneficial owner of Baha Mar, a foreigner, looms large as a key supporter of the FNM (appearing at the swearing in). Were there any foreign campaign monies flowing to the FNM from these sources? If so, how much? Where is the Campaign Finance Reform Act? Why doesn't the FNM disclose it campaign funding and provide complete details of where their funds came from. They will say because the PLP did not do it. When since did the PLP become a measuring rod for good governance. Shame. Shame. Shame.

You know what they will say? They will say they will do this next year....and next year will never come. Nothing will change. The FNM will become the new PLP if they don't change their ways right now.

Let's look at this soberly. There is no "official" owner. The government is propping up a Chinese company. The Chinese company is targeting a business rate that is not viable. What is wrong with this picture, starting at the ownership level? Anyway any reasonable person looks at this is, does not make sense. We live in a dying Clockwork Orange.

BANKER YOU'RE TALKING SENSE HERE. THAT MOVIE HAD SUCH A GREAT SOUNDTRACK AND STARRING JACK AS WELL.

Comrades! I know this might sound strange to you but is it possible that Minnis is so removed from from cabinet ministerial business - that members of the Minnis cabinet, were in fact - all selected by others and not by Minnis?

Now you are showing your PLP predilection for prevaricating. That's just like saying "Is it possible that a sea worm got into Tal's brain while he/she was eating a bad piece of conch from Uncle Tellis' Conch Stall?"

Comrade Banker, time will tell us a lot more about who it is who is really in charge the red Shirts cabinet - and I don't think it's Minnis . but prove me wrong, okay?

Tell me that there is not a sea worm in your brain. I think that there is, but prove me wrong.

Comrade Banker, do you share the view that there exists the potential for conflict within the red cabinet - relating to who/whom/what should get to own Baha Mar? [And, why is its seriousness being dismissed?]
Comrade Banker, exactly how many red cabinet ministers may/could have the potential for Baha Mar conflict?

Was there not a blatant conflict of interest when the PLP Attorney General was putting her families shops into Baha Mar, and you said nothing ?????????????

May I remind you that Sarkis doesn't own Baha Mar, will never own Baha Mar (making investments in Cuba) and Dionisio was just a member of the board -- just that. He wasn't an equity owner, and there is NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The company is dead -- killed by you criminal PLPs.

Dionisio is doing his best to revive tourism. He is a subject matter expect and that is what is degree is about from the prestigious Cornell University. Now take your worm infested, gossiping mind and introduce it to the truth please. Honour yourself with the truth -- but I know that for PLP's, it is an impossible task because of a genetic mutation that makes you truth blind.

Comrade Banker, strange but you are the one that mentioned Dionisio - not I?

There you go again with your innuendo (must have learned it from Fweddie). Dionisio is the only possible connection to Baha Mar since he was a director and a vocal critic of the PLP theft of Baha Mar. You and I both know that is who you are talking about, and now you want to play coy, childish games. I really wish that you were a Bahamian patriot instead of PLP bloodsucker on this nation.

NO YHIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. STUPID POST.

For D'Aguilar to say he's a “right-thinking, business-headed” person is laughable to say the least. I remember his father Vince once saying after a JSJ holding company board meeting about his son Dionisio: "He's getting a very fine but costly education abroad; I just hope it will include learning some common business sense." Obviously Dionisio didn't learn the slightest thing about business ethics at his fancy expensive schools abroad, which is all too often the case for silver-spooned business people who are left to enjoy the riches of a very successful self-made parent.

He's certainly no Vince by a long shot and will always find himself having to live under the smothering legacy of his father. Poor unethical fella just didn't get all of the right genes from his father!

Talking to yourself again. It is a sign of mental illness.

Is that you @MassExodus....@Honestman....LOL!

BOL!!!

Why in the name of all that is Good can we not be told WHO OWNS THIS MONSTROSITY?

"“There was no discussion about ownership. That was certainly not the place for it to be done,” Mr D’Aguilar told Tribune Business."

What is this? What IS our Government in the Sunshine doing?

You honestly expected Minnis to make good on his election campaign promise that his FNM government would be the most transparent government ever when it comes to respecting the public's interest and right to know?!! My oh my.....I sense unsettling reality may be settling in.

I DO believe many of us were hoping for the best. I do NOT believe we should accept any more BS from ANY government.

Whole heartedly agree with you on that score!

It's hilarious to see how in both of these administrations there are conflicts of interests. Just fix this fucking country. I really don't give a crap about what an alleged (and formerly accused) rapist has to say nor do I honestly give a shit about this feud between the PLP and the FNM. Get this in order goddamn it!

Comrades! The belief that your voiced 'personal' views and intended objectives prior to May 10, 2017 - can exist side by side whilst serving as a crown cabinet minister - MUST remain subject to open and transparent public discussions.
After all - isn't that the much promised red way to prove they're sincere about - "
It's the Peoples time" - not to come on here to be hauling insults to close out discussion on a very import cabinet ethics matter - or is it going to be just more conducting the People's affairs - behind closed, policeman's secured doors?

I agree with Alex_Charles. I don't care about who did what. Tell us how you are going to fix the problem and get the occupancy rate up.

At the same time tell us where you are with the hotels in Freeport as Grand Bahama is in dire straights.

NO PAST.....JUST THE FUTURE

I wonder how the Bahamas economy would look if the Bahamas and the Caribbean as a whole depermitted all cruise ships and all the new hotels could filled up?

there would be a lag in tourism that would do tremendous damage to the economy.

You people need to pull your collective heads out of your backsides. He has been on the on the job for what, 2, 3 weeks? Running what is probably a half a billion dollar enterprise when you consider the extent of his portfolio? And you want instant answers?? Get real. Obviously NONE of you have the faintest idea of what it takes to run, direct or put in place policy for a multi-million dollar operation. If he has a Fyre Festival abortion in, say, 6 to 12 months from now, then go at it. Until then, given him (and the other ministers) the opportunity to get on top of what has been a basket case of mismanagement and/or corruption (take your pick or both) for the last 5 years.

Stop preaching patience! Most of the more significant and troublesome matters confronting the new government have been known for many years now. Time is of the essence in righting a ship that is seriously listing with ominous approaching storm clouds on the horizon. Minnis is not a newcomer.....he served in Ingraham's last cabinet as minister of health and as the leader and later member of the opposition under the recently deposed Christie-led government. He should be well equipped and therefore expected to hit the ground running. If he is incapable of doing so, he will quickly find himself forced to step aside and make room for a leader within the FNM who can get the job done to the satisfaction of the people. Yes indeed - It's the people's time!

Most tourists won't know the history of BahaMar, I do and will not stay there. I think about all of the corruption and Bahamians screwed out of jobs and pay. No, my money will go to other locals that deserve the business. I'm not a gambler so the casino doesn't attract me either. If I was I would go to Atlantis.

Not true. Several high profile weddings were scheduled to be held there on the very very first original opening day. Rooms were booked, caterers aligned the whole bit. When it all came crashing down, the travel forums, travel agent chat rooms, travel magazines and online blogs were full of the news.

Baha Mar advertised in high end magazines for the rich, and they too booked and lost their faith.

The name Baha Mar is poisoned in the travel industry, and many agents will not recommend it to their customers.

Anyone who has been there can see there is nothing to recommend. No original restaurants, no bars, no entertainment, no vision.
One final thought: it is the tallest building in the Bahamas. There must be a wonderful view from the top floors, looking toward the Berries. So, what do they do? They put the restaurants in the basement! All there is to be said about their competence.