Foreign vessels, mega yachts are subject to customs duty and VAT on goods landed in the Bahamas, so why shouldn't the cruise ships be subject to same when brining goods and services for consumption ashore?

The cruise ships bring food, beverages, crew and services ashore -- to the detriment of local Bahamina providers, who pay customs duties, VAT and freight. Let's level the playing firled. The last lucury cruise that called at Gordon's Beach, South Long Island brought hundreds of people ashore, told them they didn't need to bring money ashore, and hosted a big beach party with food, drink and crew provided by the cruise ship, and set up literally 100' from a local restaurant.

Despite being notified by the Bahamas Minsitry of Tourism and stockign up on extra food, srink and staff at considerable expense, the proprietor sold exactly 2 drinks! He was left with a lot fo wasted food and staff to pay. Let the cruise lines pay to bring their food, drink and services ashore and give our Bahamians a level playing field.

As long as the goods and services are consumed on Bahamian soil, they should be taxed.

And while we're discussing taxes, do the cruise lines pay real property tax on their private islands?

When are we, as a country, going to wake up and stop catering to the every whim of visitors?

Just because they want to cuddle with sharks, swim with 400-pound pigs, and be kissed by dolphins, does that mean we offer it to them? What's next? Swim across Nassau Harbour tours?

The government needs to step in and regulate the wild animal interactions -- they are just that, wild animals that don't read the liability waivers tourists sign and behave unpredictably. Stop the feeding of fish, turtles, etc. just to have them show the tourists. Most of these cute fish and turtles are favourite food for sharks and toher predators.

The government should listen to the experts and the scientists who can best advise -- or at least the ones the government hasn't driven out of the country by not reissuing research permits for.

Oh, and while the Mr. Cooper is talking about regulating things, how about dealing with the the jet ski operators?

Guess the thoughts and prayers ain't working....

As for the post complaing the Tribune keeps using "out on bail" -- well maybe that person should NOT have been out on bail to begin with. Usually innocent people don't' need bail.

Time to do 3 strikes and you're out -- life in prison with no parole. Put a ong term prison on a remote southern island and get these criminals out of society for good. No sympathy for the little gang bangers -- that's the life you chose, so deal with the consequences. Time to stop putting innocent people in harm's way by coddling these criminals.

Why not use the sit eof the old domestic terminal and the land on the side that was used for parkign and is also scrub land? It's a perfect location for those lookign for an overnight before/after going to the out islands, for flight crew and others who could well use the facility.

The local taxis will no doubt protest if they cannot charge to take visitors there for $13 for a 2 minute drive, but making a hotel accessible to the departure and arrivals terminals woudl make the most sense.

This hotel could also make day rooms/lounges available for those with layovers. And some restaurants and retail stores could make up the revenue stream for slow seasons.

Bring it on! A little competition is good for Atlantis -- they are far too overpriced as it is. As it is, with their "promotions", they are attracting visitors who can't afford to eat when they get there. Many are bringing suitcases of food so they can afford to stay there in the first place. Some fast food will make them a more reasoable choice for those visitors.

To the above post -- yes, there is a McDonald's in Times Square and at least 2 Burger Kings in Paris -- not that PI ranks in those locales.

And let Atlantis eke out some ground for thier silly aerodrome sea plane project -- maybe Royal Caribbean can lend them some space. As Atlantis shops for a buyer, they need to worry more about that than what other businesses are doing.

This must not be allowed for so many reasons -- Montagu is a heritage site, one of the few remaining public beaches and parks, home to our national sailing program (audits and youth) and the site of many regattas. Why would anyone agree to such a project? And how does it benefit Bahamians?

Oh, and these are the same people who raised hell about having a McDonald's near them?!?! Talk about hypocrisy!

Atlantis, you've taken over much of Paradise island -- use some of your own land -- maybe Royal Caribbean will lease you a sliver for your little project. We certainly don't want it at Montagu!

Well done, Team Bahamas!

So nice to see our young athletes achieve solid results and for their hard work rewarded. Kudos to the organizers and all the coaches who pulled off this feat.

I have been on several RC cruises that made stops in Nassau, and sat in the "cruise port talks" as their shopping "experts" all but tell you not to get off the ship in Nassau. And if you do, only go to the stores they recommend (and no doubt get kickback from) So let's cut the hypocrisy, RC.

Typical government lip service to "Bahamians first" at election time, then Bahamians become 2nd class citizens for the rest of their term in office. When will we ever learn?

This development is a terrible idea. It is all wrong for the character of Long Island and will ruin the island's current appeal to visitors. Look at some of the other islands to see how this process completely ruins and changes the islands and their culture. Selling our heritage to the highest bidder never works in our favour.

I can only hope it will go the way the imaginative and absurd proposed St. George resort and amoutn to nothing but hot air and hype. Long Island doesn't need this monstrosity!