Sun International appears to be the only major hotel with strong economic performance.
On Grand Bahama, the situation is even more desperate where the major hotels are reporting lean times. Coupled with these facts is the imminent threat of the re-opening of Cuba to the US market.
To make matters worse, Laker Airways, the Grand Bahama based airline that has been servicing Grand Bahama to a number of North American cities over the past decades, without notice folded and went out of business. During its years of operation, Laker has probably brought more overnight visitors to Grand Bahama than any other air carrier. Their departure will therefore be a tremendous loss to Grand Bahama.
Smaller aircraft such as Bahamasair Dash 8, a 48 seater has now replaced the 170 seat Boeing 727 that has operated twice daily between Freeport and Ft. Lauderdale. 120 seat Boeing 737’s are now accommodating other North American routes.
Incredibly to date, no explanation or concern of this sudden departure has been given to the Bahamian public by government or the Ministry of Tourism. Why is the Bahamas Tourism industry in the state that it is in today? Many persons have indicated that the industry is still recovering from the fallout of September 11th or 911.
Others blame the rude and bad service that our guests have received all too often by arrogant persons who believe that no matter what tourists will always come to the Bahamas.
Prime Minister Perry Christie hit the nail right on the head a few weeks ago at the Regional Tourism Conference when he reminded many Bahamians that tourism is now becoming much more competitive. On numerous occasions, thr honorable Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism and Consultant Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace have appealed to the public and especially those in the tourism industry not to rest on their laurels but to strive to improve the tourism product. Too many Bahamians just do not understand the importance of quality service.
The Ministry of Tourism is forced to spend millions of dollars on advertising each year, because of the minimal return rate of our visitors. All too often the reason given for not returning to the Bahamas is the bad attitude of some Bahamians.
The conflict between the Hotel Union and hotel management at times has been to the detriment of the industry. Surely this conflict does not serve their best interest. Property owners at times display an unacceptable insensitivity to the needs of the workers.
At times this results in anti-management statements often cloaked with shades of racial and anti-foreign rhetoric. Regrettably sometimes workers pay more attention to these facts without regards to their relevance, than the substance of their grievance.
The recent action by the Hotel Union is a good case in point.
The selfish get-what-you-can-get policy will only hurt the Bahamas, as it is likely to push the Bahamas out of the market. Already a number of major hotels have reported losses. Further increase at this time will only put a strain on whatever services can be provided. Can you imagine a gratuity of 18%?
There will be no incentive for the worker to go the extra mile. The net result will be the worsening of our reputation for bad service.
For these workers who wanted to strike in January, they should read an editorial recently featured in the Nassau Guardian by former police chief, Errington “Bumpy” Watkins, who warned of the long-term consequence of such irresponsible actions.
Of further concern was the way that a distinguished guest such as President Mbeki was treated by hotel workers last December. The fact that Prime Minister Christie had to publicly apologize for the tardiness of breakfast being served is nothing short of a direct slap in the face of the Bahamian hospitality industry. Even when one goes to someone’s home, arguments between family members are put on hold until after their guest leave.
South Africa has provided the Bahamas with some of the largest investors such as Sol Kerzner. Attitudes and behavior such as this will not encourage others to invest in the Bahamas.
Another ridiculous situation where Bahamians were biting off their noses to spite their face happened when taxi drivers in Nassau forced guests to leave their confirmed bus ride.
Clearly any reasonable person would conclude that this unfortunate situation and consequences should not have happened. The negative press and fallout from this kind of action surely is not worth whatever financial gains the taxi drivers may have achieved.
A critical weakness in the tourism industry is a failure of hotels to upgrade in order to compete globally. With the Exchange of Tax Information Act 2004 recently legislated by Parliament, the Bahamas for their cooperation is to receive privileged convention status by the year 2006. Hotels can expect to benefit in this area.
Hotels that claim to be able to host conventions are not ready. For example, the convention flag ship hotel on Grand Bahama – Our Lucaya – was constructed at an estimated reported cost of $400 million.
Convention experts have informed me that a requirement to promote conventions is affordable ready access to the Internet and portable communications such as cell phones. Unfortunately, Our Lucaya has no Internet access in the rooms even though this is a standard amenity in some budget hotels in the U.S. Finally the Bahamas still has to get a handle on crime.
For such a small population, the effect of crime on tourism is exaggerated. So much so, that the fantasy of a walk on an isolated beach in a tropical paradise setting in some parts of the Bahamas or a romantic stroll under the moonlight at night now appears to be a thing of the past.
Fortunately there doesn’t appear to be targeting of tourist by violent criminals. Any such acts in the past appear to have been random.
All the Bahamas needs now is an advisory by the US State Department advising their citizens not to travel to the Bahamas because of concern for their safety. The consequences will be devastating. As the Bahamas strives to develop economically, most of the projects announced by government are all tourist related, therefore, a sound tourism industry must be a part of the future of the Bahamas.
By Dr. Leatendore D. Percentie, DDS
Freeport, Bahamas
