During the coronavirus pandemic, any country relying on the tourism industry finds itself on an economic islandisolated from the income that maintains a tax base and social services.
The Bahamas faces the Covid-19 crisis as a literal island, cut off from the outside world via every airport or sea lane. At the archipelagos heart, Nassaus 275,000 people confront health crises, poverty, and unemployment without financial assistance from fellow Caribbean venues who also battle the same challenges.
Currently, the Bahamas remain at Level 3 or High Risk for Covid-19, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the islands own government took the step of stopping all flights or cruise ships visits. Hotels remaining open can accept only Bahamian visitors.
But as the struggle against the virus continues, Nassaus most famous luxury destinations are assisting locals in need until faster tests and successful vaccines restore the travel flow.
The resort of Graycliff started life in 1740 as the pirate fortress of Captain John Howard Graysmith and the schooner Graywolf. Jump ahead to 2020, and the quiet, palm-covered colonial estate is home to 18 guest rooms, a gourmet restaurant, a cigar company, a chocolatier, and one of the worlds largest wine collections (with more than 250,000 bottles in their dungeon cellar). During more carefree times, Graycliff serves gourmet food and the finest spirits to celebrities and presidents alike.
As the virus first shut down the island earlier this year, owner Enrico Garzaroli decided to use the downtime to renovate the property until reopening briefly in July. A spike in cases closed the island again mid-summer, and Garzaroli realized this crisis would last longer than anyone expected.
When it became clear that the coronavirus was a long-term health crisis threatening the livelihoods of Nassaus tourism workers, Garzaroli and Graycliff stepped up to help feed anyone struggling with unemployment. Every Friday for 10 weeks beginning in April, Graycliff distributed free meals for Nassaus hungry.
We gave out around 42,000 hot meals, Garzaroli explains. The cars would line up. We had the kitchen going with about 15 volunteers, and blocked the street off with the help of the local government. We would make sure the homeless got fed first, and some people began camping out every Thursday night.
Graycliff also reserved some meals for local charities, hospitals, and shelters. The donated food and drink came together through partnerships between Garzaroli, food suppliers, Coca-Cola, and other Nassau entities.
We decorated the street and had bands playing, Garzaroli adds. Even with what we were facing, I wanted people to be in a good mood.
With the islands public schools still closed, Graycliff is confronting the educational crisis amid its underprivileged by transforming its Humidor Churrascaria into a distance-learning classroom for children ages eight to 12.
Monday to Friday, we have a rotation of 26 kids at a time here for virtual school, Garzaroli says. Were welcoming the neediest kids as vetted by government officials.
Classes were underway as of Oct. 5. Using donated tablet computers, the students interact with four teachers from two local schools. Garzaroli includes lunch for all in attendance. Finally, when class isnt in session, Graycliff volunteers will teach the children how to swim in the resort pool.
Across the island, another high-end property confronted Nassaus medical needs. When Covid-19 cases began to overwhelm the citys limited treatment facilities, the luxurious Breezes Resort and Spa Bahamas turned an entire buildings worth of hotel rooms into hospital space.
According to John Issa , owner of Breezes and Chairman of SuperClubs, the property was originally approached as the largest hotel in the Bahamas by government officials to provide a portion of its 400 rooms as 14-day quarantine facilities for Bahamian nationals returning home from abroad.
We gave them the whole buildinga separated wing with its own entrance and exit to maintain quarantine, Issa says. Once the hospitals became overburdened with coronavirus cases, we were then asked to house non-Covid hospital patients until the infection rate slowed down.
Issa and his team allowed medical professionals to take charge of the donated Breezes building. Those doctors and nurses maintained hospital services out of the space for almost four months. In addition, Breezes management made donations of toiletries, garments, and other essentials to patients throughout the crisis.
We hoped this would be over by now, but I dont think the flights will return until the biggest resorts reopen.
As the pandemic reaches into autumn, Issa expects the Bahamas troubles to continue until medical realities allow the islands mega-resorts to do business again.
Were still open for business for locals here, he explains. We hoped this would be over by now, but I dont think the flights will return until the biggest resorts reopen.
The islands here are under great financial stress, Issa adds. When tourism is down, taxes are down and unemployment benefits are up. When hurricanes Irma , Jose , and Maria hit the Caribbean in 2017, those islands that were unaffected came together to help those that were damaged. There are no islands untouched by this crisis.
Frank J. Comito , CEO and director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, reports his organization is in contact with public health agencies across the Caribbean to coordinate education in dealing with the coronavirus.
Were sharing a lot of information between the islands, Comito says. Weve trained thousands of employees in the best practices and looked to put in place stringent guidelines across the region. We come together remotely as best we can, and everybody follows what everybody else is doing to handle the virus.
As properties like Graycliff and Breezes try to assist their community while running at reduced capacities, Comito insists theres no firm plans yet for when and how the region could reopen on a larger scale.
The large resorts in Bermuda, Jamaica, or the Bahamas will reopen when they believe the protocols allow them to operate safely. We are seeing booking on the luxury end remaining stable. Still, the bigger properties need to see the return of flights and cruise ships to provide an adequate number of potential bookings before reopening.
We are seeing some hopeful signs, Comito adds. There is a healthy level of bookings coming in for Christmas and forward into the winter season.
Continued here:
Facing Loss of Tourists, Bahamas Resorts Give Back to Their Communities - Barron's
- Bahamas Vacation Packages & Travel Deals - Atlantis - December 9th, 2016 [December 9th, 2016]
- Bahamas: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture ... - December 12th, 2016 [December 12th, 2016]
- Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas Where to Stay - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- Bahamas Vacation Packages & Travel Deals | BookIt.com - December 22nd, 2016 [December 22nd, 2016]
- All-Inclusive Hotels & Resorts, Nassau Paradise Island - January 15th, 2017 [January 15th, 2017]
- Bahamas - The New York Times - February 5th, 2017 [February 5th, 2017]
- The Official UK website, The Island of The Bahamas | The ... - February 5th, 2017 [February 5th, 2017]
- No Elections Just Yet, Bahamas Prime Minister Says | Caribbean360 - Caribbean360.com (subscription) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Survival in the Bahamas - Lifestyle - The Daily Herald - Columbia, TN - Columbia Daily Herald - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- CHTA Donates $25000 for Bahamas hurricane relief - Yahoo Finance - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Miami hosting Venezuela-Bahamas Davis Cup tie - Tennis Magazine - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Venezuela plays Bahamas in "home" Davis Cup matches in Doral ... - Miami Herald - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Bahamas tops Caribbean on crime's economic cost | The Tribune - Bahamas Tribune - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Bahamas Victory Could Propel Lincicome to 2017 Solheim Cup - LPGA (press release) - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Lupus Bahamas releases new 'Lupus and the Kidneys' Educational Pamphlet - The Freeport News - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Volunteers 'Good To Go' For Iaaf World Relays Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- In the Bahamas, the Art of Conch - Caribbean Journal - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Doug Manchester to be Bahama Papa for US? - San Diego Reader - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Conference USA helps Old Dominion make money on Bahamas Bowl trip - Daily Press - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- SaskTel beaches employees in the Bahamas - News Talk 650 CKOM - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Travel Deals - Official Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas ... - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Cruise Liner pulls out of Bahamas for Cuba - Jamaica Observer - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Ancient Tropical Tortoise Found in a Deep Blue Sinkhole in the Bahamas - Seeker - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- In A Growing Trend, Norwegian Cruise Lines Drops Bahamas In Favor Of Cuba - Cuba Journal - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Cruise Line Drops 25 Bahamas Sailings - Cruise Radio (blog) - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- Bloody weekend in Bahamas, Opposition calls for Gov't to break silence - Jamaica Observer - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Nassau, Bahamas: Where to eat, dive and lay out on the sand - amNY - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Greenslade: Bahamas Is Not In Crisis - Bahamas Tribune - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- The Oshies, Alzners, and Winniks are vacationing together in the Bahamas - Russian Machine Never Breaks - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- Caps players and families have 'best Valentine's Day ever' in the Bahamas - Russian Machine Never Breaks - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Search called off for Georgia man who went overboard in Bahamas - 11alive.com - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- IXE Bahamas Bank Bid Crashes - finews.com - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Authorities Blame Gangs for the Bahamas' Bloody Start to 2017 - Insightcrime.org - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Official Launch Of 'Team Bahamas' Carifta Movement - Bahamas Tribune - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Will Klay Thompson Wear The Anta KT 2 Bahamas During NBA All ... - KicksOnFire.com - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Hefty 13ft tiger shark is a local record-breaker in the Bahamas - Earth Touch - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Hendrix students travel to Bahamas for mission trip - Log Cabin Democrat - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Silver Airways adds more non-stop flights to the Bahamas - WFLA - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- Bahamas' 'Growth Potential' Down 3% Since Century Start - Bahamas Tribune - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Imf Bahamas Chief Supports Fiscal Limits - Bahamas Tribune - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- Tough Approach on Tax Arrears Pays Off For Bahamas Government - Caribbean360.com (subscription) - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Privy Council Has Fourth Sitting In The Bahamas - The Bahama Journal - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Bahamas Well Represented at NY Times and Boston Globe Travel Shows - South Florida Caribbean News - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Take the Unlikely Plunge into the Beautiful Waters of The Bahamas - TravelPulse (blog) - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Bahamas Tops Guyana 4-1 At Concacaf Beach Soccer - Bahamas Tribune - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Widely Adored Swimming Pigs Found Dead in the Bahamas - Travel+Leisure - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- Bahamas famous swimming pigs found dead in ocean - only seven or eight left - News24 - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Swimming with pigs in the Bahamas could soon be a thing of the past as only seven of them are still alive - The Sun - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Robocall scheme that sold Bahamas cruises is in permanent dry dock - MyPalmBeachPost (blog) - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Bahamas Gets 3-0 Win Over Belize - Bahamas Tribune - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Three Straight: Lesly St Fleur Scores Hat Trick As Bahamas Beats Jamaica 3-2 - Bahamas Tribune - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- The Famous Pigs From The Bachelor Island Date Are Dying - Refinery29 - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Bank fees also under the radar in The Bahamas - Jamaica Gleaner - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- 20 Best Resorts in the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Turks & Caicos - Cond Nast Traveler - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Moody'S: Bahamas Deficit Will Exceed $300m This Year - Bahamas Tribune - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Bahamas Face Guadeloupe In Beach Soccer Quarter-Finals On Friday Night - Bahamas Tribune - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Beloved Swimming Pigs Of The Bahamas Found Dead - Huffington Post - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Bahamas Must 'Buffer' Against Deficit Blow-Out - Bahamas Tribune - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Guadeloupe End Bahamas Hopes Of Progress In Beach Soccer Championship - Bahamas Tribune - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Caribbean Hotel And Tourism Assoc. Helps Hurricane-Affected Haiti & The Bahamas - South Florida Caribbean News - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- AG warning about 'Bahamas Grandkids Scam' - Artesia Daily Press - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Junior golfers fare well at Bahamas tournament - Cayman Compass - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Bahamas face US in fifth place playoff after beating Trinidad | The ... - Bahamas Tribune - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Swimming pigs of the Exuma Cays, Bahama's killed and tourists are ... - Metro - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Bahamas Grateful To Support From Missionary Flights International - South Florida Caribbean News - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- The Bahamas Private Developers vs. Government Run - Albany Times Union (blog) - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Amnesty Int'l critical of Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas - News ... - Jamaica Observer - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Bahamas Suffers 4-2 Loss To Usa - Bahamas Tribune - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- PRESS RELEASE: Dan Marino And Friends Bahamas Weekend 2017 Planned For May 25-27 - MiamiDolphins - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- In the Bahamas, Sharks Are Worth More Alive than Dead - Hakai Magazine - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- Amnesty Int'l critical of Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas - NYCaribNews - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Several of the Bahamas' Beloved Swimming Pigs Found Dead - TownandCountrymag.com (blog) - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Bahamas famous swimming pigs dead from possible tourist feeding - MyStatesman.com - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau, Bahamas to open in 2018 | Rus ... - RusTourismNews - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Tourists may have killed Bahamas' famous swimming pigs - New York Post - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- DNA Party: PM Offers More Harm Than Good In Office - The Bahama Journal - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Famous Swimming Pigs in the Bahamas Found Dead After Tourists Give Them Alcohol - Cosmopolitan.com - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Mysterious wave of death strikes the Bahamas' famous swimming pigs - Washington Post - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2017 set to be biggest one yet - International Association of Athletics Federations - March 3rd, 2017 [March 3rd, 2017]
- Bahamas PM Apologizes For Flipping Bird, Saying He Lost Control While Defending Family - Caribbean360.com (subscription) - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]