The Visa for international travellers is depressing business as people can go to nearly all other southern destinations without all the hassles we are imposing on them. If visitors have a double vaccination certificate why do they need to go through all the other cumbersome requirements? It takes away business we desperately need at this time. Whoever dreamed up the Visa was seriously misguided.There have been all kinds of complaints over the past year from well meaning travel agents and visitors about the Visa problems. Now the new government is going down the same route.

The Health Visa for international travellers has to be abolished immediately if we are to see any uptake in visitor arrivals. It is expensive and cumbersome and most people can go to nearly all other southern destinations without all our hassles. We are getting left behind and this is badly affecting the economy and jobs.

That is very good news. Let us hope the Visa will very soon be abolished for international visitors . Our tourism has been very badly affected by this cumbersome unnecessary Visa. There have been so many complaints from well meaning travel agents in the U.S.A.,Canada and the U.K. They all say it has been the greatest deterrent to getting bookings for The Bahamas. Visitors cannot be bothered completing all the bureaucratic requirements when they can go to nearly all other southern destinations without any hassles at all. We need visitors desperately. If they can show double vaccination certificates at the airport they should be given a boarding pass and on their way to our country. A return to easier access to us is required immediately!

Here is yet another letter from a concerned travel agent. Obviously being part time residents he and his family have good feelings towards our country and only want the best for Bahamians. There have been so many letters of complaint about our difficult travel rules over the past year. Unfortunately our Tourism Minister has stubbornly refused to change his attitude. We are fortunate to have had any visitors the past while with our Covid19 infection numbers and the Health Visa complicating the situation. How can we expect a return to past numbers when we make it so difficult for people to enter our country? Even the travel agents are now understanding that the Health Visa appears not to be for health reasons but a way to make money for the Government and their associates in the payment system. Why doesn't the Government just call it a tax ? We all must be concerned when the writer states that The Bahamas has gone from their most popular destination to the lowest in interest. Why are the hotel workers union people and business people now suffering from lack of business remaining so silent? It is a frightening situation.

A very good letter ! Let us hope that The Prime Minister and the Central Bank Governor will take action to issue a higher denomination banknote with The Queen's portrait. We should honour both our national heroes and our Head of State similar to what is the situation in many Commonwealth countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

An excellent letter with which I completely agree.

I thoroughly agree with everything this writer has expressed. The Health Visa is deterring visitors from coming here because they can go to so many other nations without all the hassles. If people are fully vaccinated and have their certificates they are legitimate. Check in agents at their local airport are well aware of the validity of the certificates from their area. The Government and its friends with the payment system are all making money with this Visa so likely they do not want to end it. However it is turning people off coming here. We desperately need a revival of tourism not putting up roadblocks in coming here.
Our Queen who has given The Commonwealth of Nations tremendous service for 70 years does not deserve to be eliminated from our currency. As our Head of State she deserves our respect and support. I understand this controversy has made the news in Canada and the U.K. and likely other Commonwealth countries. It is bad publicity and makes us look like a deteriorating third world country. The Queen is more popular than any of our politicians. A new currency note with her image should be introduced right away to correct this situation. Why could the Government not place Arthur Hanna on $3 note and restore that denomination and leave The Queen on the $100 bill?

With no disrespect to Arthur Hanna how unfortunate that the portrait of our Head of State Queen Elizabeth II is to be removed from the $100 bill and does not appear on any other notes. She has served us and other Commonwealth nations with dedicated service for nearly 70 years. In other Commonwalth countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand The Queen appears on one note and the remainder of the notes are former significant national leaders. Perhaps a $500 or $1000 note could be introduced where our Queen can still be honoured for her dedicated service.

Dr. Sands is very wise in all that he says about the Covid19 crisis. I hope the public will become more serious about the risks.
If not then soon we will be overwhelmed and our health system will not be able to cope. We have enough problems now attracting visitors to our shores with all the regulations. If we have a more serious Covid situation why would anyone want to visit here? We need to wake up immediately.

Wait until their travel agents inform prospective visitors to The Bahamas all about our Heath Visa and all the complications, time and expense to complete the requirements. Now from Friday they must all have Covid19 tests after their arrival.. We shall then see how many tourists are willing to come here when all the other destinations have far easier entry rules.