EDITOR, The Tribune.

SHOULD we revert to the old status quo of what we allow open on the cruise ships whilst they are visiting as it seems what we have are too much advantage to the cruise companies? Close everything down on the ships? Acceptable? Doubt it for the Cruise Line, but shouldn’t their retail sales whilst in port be liable to VAT? Get CARICOM countries to agree. Is there anything in law which says their retail sales are not? Never heard we gave that concession. Did we?

Ships need to stay in port beyond 6pm incentives the berthing tax so they will. This will allow for more organised cultural and retail events on Bay and therefore more business. Shops on Bay area stay open longer if ships stay in port longer... open say at 11am stay open til 10pm.

Events... Goombay Cultural displays with, yes, ‘Junkanoo’ twice a week on high capacity days of cruise boats in port... street festival... only for merchants in the immediate Bay Street area. Work with cruise companies - I recall Carnival offered funds to do just that... what happened? Not interested in numbers only interested in money in bank that alone pays for my mortgage-food - BPL-health costs... numbers are just political foolishness.

SYLVIA ROMER

nassau, July 2024.