Comment history

Alan1 says...

We will look forward to their visit . Prince William and his wife have been very interested in promoting environmental and climate change concerns which are vital issues for our country . Their contribution at the recent international conference in Glasgow was well received. The publicity associated with their visit should raise our problems internationally. We have a good system of government which works well here. It is a democratic foundation which has encouraged investment together with an impartial court system which is important for investors to ensure their assets are protected. Why would we want to change a system which works? There are enough failed third world republics. Why would we want to join that club?

On Duke and Duchess to visit The Bahamas

Posted 15 February 2022, 8:02 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

We shall look forward to the visit by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Their great interest in the environment has allowed us to focus on this issue with international interest. Prince William was very forthcoming in his views to assist smaller nations like ourselves tackle the climate change crisis. We need his support. Our form of parliamentary government under The Crown will continue . It is an historic heritage of freedom which has served us well. We are a sound place to invest with this system of government included in which is our impartial court system. Let us be proud of our Bahamas and our heritage. Why change a system which works?

Alan1 says...

A very fine gentleman well deserving of his honour from Queen Elizabeth. A true Bahamian!

On Sir Godfrey Kelly dies age 93

Posted 11 February 2022, 5:20 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

The comments about our Queen are excellent. She has served The Commonwealth with dedicated interest and faithful service since her youth. Her coming of age pledge in 1947 during the Royal visit to Cape Town South Africa that she would serve all the people of the Commonwealth for the rest of her life has happened. She is most deserving of our ongoing support.

Alan1 says...

As long as we keep these expensive and time consuming entry requirements in place we will never recover. We have lost a lot of business to other southern destinations because of these hassles. Yet the Government ignored all the legitimate complaints and kept these job killing policies in place. Is it any wonder visitors are not coming? It is far easier to go practically anywhere else? Why bother with The Bahamas? All very concerning to our local tourist facilities and stores in this country.

On Marina slowdown causing ‘freak out’

Posted 9 February 2022, 5:18 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

There have been ongoing complaints to both the old and new government for two years about the difficult ,expensive and cumbersome requirements to enter our country. But all complaints seem to not have been taken seriously. Keeping the 3 day pre-travel antigen test is a prime example of a policy not very well thought out. There is a massive shortage of these tests in both the U.S. A. and Canada. Where available results can take up to 48 hours to be returned. that leaves a day or less to get the health visa, travel to airports and actually arrive by the third day. No wonder people are not coming. They cannot complete all these requirements. Why isn't just a double vaccination certificate sufficient to travel here? We need visitors as our economy is in serious shape right now. You would think common sense would dictate these policies. But it is certainly lacking at the moment.

Alan1 says...

Sadly with all the hassles and expense involved in completing the Health Visa and obtaining tests to enter and re-enter their countries visitors are not coming in the numbers as before. There are too many uncertainties. The Government will not ease the rules so we all suffer from the tourism downturn.

On New management hope for Hilton

Posted 2 February 2022, 5:36 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

I cannot see any benefit to our country by abolishing a system which has worked well for a long time. We are beneficiaries of the monarchy system and this has provided us with stability. Investment has come our way as a result. Why risk a change which could well lead us to another failed third world republic?. Even the author of the article cannot guarantee us success. The Caribbean Court of Appeal has met with mixed reactions and cannot compare to the highly professional impartial Privy Council in London. We have far more serious problems than taking a chance on a republic.

On Creating an identity as a true republic

Posted 1 February 2022, 5:55 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

Until we see the end of all these hassles to enter our country we will not see a return to the pre-Covid19 travel numbers. The Health Visa is a nuisance and even the Minister admitted last month that it is no longer for health but for "marketing information".It has become a tax to enter. Then they added the need for a rapid antigen test no older than 3 days to enter even though the visitor has a double vaccination certificate. I understand there is a great shortage of those tests in our main markets in the U.S.A. In Canada they are only available in a few locations in Ontario and British Columbia with a waiting period of 48 hours for results. That leaves an impossible one day to apply for the Visa, get on an airplane or airplanes and be in Nassau by the third day. Mostly impossible unless you are very lucky. That does not give you much confidence to make a booking with all those uncertainties. As letter writer said last week " No wonder hotels in The Bahamas are closing". Yet the Tourism Minister and staff refuse to ease the rules. When will common sense prevail?

On Sands alarm at travel protocols

Posted 31 January 2022, 5:28 p.m. Suggest removal

Alan1 says...

We would not benefit by abolishing our current reliable form of government. Republics have very poor track records . Corruption and dictatorship often follow. Just look at all the failed third world republics. Our system with its impartial courts has encouraged investment. Who could trust a republic's courts? The Caribbean Court of Justice has had a mixed reception and has struck no sense of confidence in many quarters including investors. The Privy Council in London is a well respected Commonwealth Court of Appeal with impartial judges of the highest legal standard. Why would we want our Bahamas to adopt a republic based mainly on emotional reasons which are questionable? Let us keep what works.