Pricing is a skill and a balancing act. Too often it appears that the only concern for the govt is how much money is to be made if they hikes taxes and fee-taxes 400% higher. Theres no balance in their act and they often enter the "*beyond the market can bear*" domain.

Where is the line between *not paying their fare share* and extortion? It's in the data. Unfortunately noone's given any.

I agree fully with your assessment on price hikes. Slow cooking is better than air frying.

But, how do we assess what Trump is doing with tariffs against the rest of the world?

While the 242 Govt should be more subtle in dealing with these tourist groups that impact many Bahamians across ALL of the country, we must also be aware that MOST of 242 marinas are owned and operated by Americans.

This isn't a "row", Ms. Nixon, of the Tribune.
This is a very stupid governmental move that was clearly made by people with no business experience or concern for our economy.
Nobody is arguing that we need to raise some fees.
The issue is the manner it was done.
No educated business person, who relied on that business to make a living, would ever pull a stunt like this. Period.
A prudent business person cares about their clientele's concerns.
We produce almost nothing in The Bahamas.
We rely nearly completely on tourism and the American market.
Our politicians produce nothing. All of them rely on the money coming into this country from outside, mostly tourism, and the efforts of working Bahamians.
We produce nearly nothing.
The politicians suck at the teat of this society. The politicians, especially this particular administration have shown clearly that they have neither the education, the concern, nor the moral stature to lead anyone.
Clearly, more clearly than ever, this country is going backwards, and all we hear are words.
No action to improve the infrastructure vital to our tourism industry and the living conditions of Bahamians.
What island is not experiencing these critical infrastructure challenges?
The Tribune, day after day, highlights the valid and vocal complaints by our legitimate business people.
Yet, here we are, 50+ years after Independence, and nearly every island in this country is punishing?
What bold MP has the audacity to ask to be reelected? For what? So they can fly around the world, and get rich here at home by fleecing The People?
Day in and day out we hear of these big contracts being awarded. Why is isn't every one scrutinized by The People?
We know why.
They just act like we're stupid. The most dangerous people in The Bahamas are not foreigners.
They are sitting in Parliament.

Porcupine, generally you raise very cogent comments. I think your political bias, which we all have, is blinding you. Firstly - yachting fees are an inelastic demand - that is there is no correlation between increased fees and the decline of the industry. I will leave it up to you to do your own google search, and from there, I am sure that you will follow the breadcrumbs. If these so-called yachters are leaving because of increased fees, then they are people that we do not need in the first instance. (If you believe that Bezos, Buffet, Salah, et al. scoff at yacht fees, then you are sadly mistaken.) They are akin to professional pirates, who are looking for the cheapest place to moor their ships and damage our topography and ocean floor. Good riddance to them.
Given the awful degradation of our natural waters and coral reefs, the government should implement a "sin tax" on these dastardly locomotives to ensure that our environment is protected. And, if one is to bitch and moan about the increase, then they are more than welcome to go to Cayman or Europe and destroy their environment.
At some point, Porcupine, you should have the intellect and just plain ole common sense, to not attribute everything to politics, but rather you should protect your country.
(P.S. - the FNM will be utterly massacred in the upcoming election. It will not even be close.)

The number 1 industry in The Bahamas is tourism. Here we are 50+ years into independence, and we cannot produce leaders who look out for this country? We have continued to fall down on the job of doing even the minimal to assure that we have repeat business and take care of those guests who essentially pay EVERY politicians salary and keep The Bahamas from falling into national abject poverty. That our guests cannot count on reliable electricity, water, phone and internet service, fire suppression, medical facilities, nor a reliable and educated police department, is a slap in the face to the majority of Bahamians who rely on tourism for their livelihood. This entire administration is completely lost and dragging this country down. The drama revolving around the private airplane fees. the recent increase in all boating fees, for Bahamians and foreigners alike, show a complete disregard for this well being of this country. This administration should hang its head in shame for these transgressions. It is unbelievable that we have elected a group of people who can only stuff their pockets and their bellies for 5 years while completely ignoring the needs of the Bahamian people. At the end of the day however, it is the Bahamian people who have put these poor excuses for "leaders" into office. The bottom line is the fact that most of us just don't seem to care. We take the few dollars they hand us and then run our mouths for 5 years, as if, we are not the problem.

Second home owners want to sell their property. I WOULD LIKE TO BUY. .THE OUTRAGE MAKES NO SENSE. ALL COUNTRIES HAVE LAWS CAN Bahamians go to the USA and make any fuss over USA fees or laws.

Theres plenty homes on the market, off you go and buy. Or is that just talk from you. And yes every country can make their own laws and fees. But if they make them too high people don't visit so you don't make as much. Lets see how this plays out. If they still come, then great we have made more and people are still employed. If not we have lost money and all the people involved in that industry (it si thousands) are about to have a much harder life. Where is the studies to show that this price won't cause a drop in visitors? There is none as they didn't do one. They just picked a number and are hoping.

You should ask yourself, why foreign second home owners - as birdie suggests -are selling, especially having regard to The Bahamas' National Investment Policy. I suspect, though, that you are more interested in "slamming" birdie, and lapping up your own political bias to ask this question.

At some point, Dawes, you - as we all - need to get our head out of the political derriere and think about our country.

They go out and fish all day. .

You are absolutely brilliant birdie.
Are you hiding a political agenda? Are you really smart, and just playing dumb?
Seems like you are supporting a Party, not the nation of The Bahamas.
"THE OUTRAGE MAKES NO SENSE." Say what, birdie?
Obviously, you didn't read, not comprehend, the news article.
And, very clearly you have never run a business.
How about education, birdie?
Do you not realize where the vast majority of money that runs this country, providing for every convenience you have birdie, comes from the US.
Hey, I don't like their policies either now, but only an idiot would not listen to their #1 customer. Seems rather stupid, doesn't it birdie?
It is rather sad to see your your ignorant ramblings, clearly dragging this nation down.
Personally, I think you are a PLP operative, since I truly don't believe there are people who are still as ignorant as you.

For decades, certain aspects of our tourism have been taken for granted by Americans. A glaring abuse are the casual yachters.

Now that our Government has "wised up" to the con job that these Americans engage in 24/7/365 in our waters, we hear them yapping about fees.

Well, if you own a $250+K yacht and you think it's too much to pay a few hundred dollars to enter our beautiful waters, and catch all the seafood that your hearts desire (for free), ...... then CYA.

If a Bahamian has a 30-40 ft yacht and wants to cruise the Gulf Coast or the East coast, what fees will he have to pay????

Just asking for a friend ....... 🧐🧐🧐

And what is so wrong with the 242 Government insisting that visiting yachts have AIS onboard????? These are OUR national waters. We should KNOW who is passing through it and collect our fees.

Why do Americans not want to RESPECT our sovereign waters???? Or pay our fees????

Or is it too much for a "shithole country" to expect from citizens of Uncle Sam?????

Sheeprunner correct. Some how there are those who think we are less than them but we have to show them we are not less but just as intelligent and respectful as.any in this world. With the attributes that The God of heaven and earth has blessed us with