Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) is collaborating with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) to provide access to technical and financial assistance for small tourism enterprises (STEs) through a participation programme.

The organizations are seeking to identify and assess the challenges, barriers and needs faced by STEs to direct technical assistance and support post-disaster recovery.

To accomplish this, OAS and CHTA are inviting STEs across The Bahamas to participate in a survey and assist the bodies in targeting their specific needs.

OAS Representative for The Bahamas Phyllis Baron spoke about the benefits of the initiative, which is being carried out in OAS 13 member states.

The OAS will seek to dialogue with the policymakers of our region to create and enhance their policies that will be beneficial to the sector especially as it relates to recovery and business continuity. Hence, it is pertinent that all stakeholders participate in the survey as it is from this data we can analyze the information and provide strategic guidance that will benefit them as a sector, she said.

We should note that in recent times, there are more and more catastrophic events and so we must be prepared. We therefore encourage all small hotels and tourism businesses across The Bahamas to complete the OAS/CHTA 2021 Business Continuity survey to allow us to assist them appropriately.

Special advisor and former CEO of CHTA Frank Comito had similar sentiments.

Small tourism businesses are particularly hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the same happens with other crisis situations. We believe that the groundwork of the OAS over 20 years ago on Hurricane Readiness and Small Hotel Operations has helped to prepare the tourism industry to manage their way through crisis situations, he said.

However, we need to look at the new situation faced by small hotel and tourism enterprises and direct resources appropriately.

We therefore encourage all small hotel and tourism businesses across The Bahamas to participate in this Business Continuity Survey, which will help the donor funding of the Organization of American States and the resources of CHTA to be directed to better serve their needs.

TDC Executive Director Janet Johnson said this initiative is a timely one.

With the hurricane season upon us, we are thrilled to be participating in this innovative initiative with our international non-governmental organization partners and so many of our STEs are grateful for the help and guidance that this collaboration affords, she said.

Eligible participants include hotel operators with under 100 room accommodations; independent food and beverage operators in tourism areas; transportation and ground tour operators; recreation including adventure, entertainment and attractions; tourism services including destination management and inbound tour operators; travel agents; retail sales and souvenir stores; and other supply chains.

The surveys can be completed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/oas_chta.

Registration for and participation in the programme are free.

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TDC works with OAS and CHTA to build small tourism enterprise resilience - EyeWitness News

LEX18 A school-record total of 20 current and former University of Kentucky athletes and coaches will represent 10 countries across a range of five sports in the Summer Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from July 21 through August 8 on NBC and LEX18 News.

Nine Wildcats will compete for the United States, two for The Bahamas and Puerto Rico, and one each for Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.

BBN Tonight has talked with several of the Wildcats participating in the summer Olympics. Those interviews can be seen by clicking HERE.

Here's when and where you can watch the Wildcats compete this summer:

SCHEDULE BY DAYFriday, July 23

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When and where you can watch the Wildcats in Tokyo - LEX18 Lexington KY News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Bahamian citizens and residents eligible to receive their second vaccine dose but who have yet to book their appointment to become fully vaccinated will be unable to do so until next week.

According to National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields, there are currently no new vaccination appointments available for the remainder of the week, but he expects new appointments will available for next week for New Providence and Grand Bahama.

He said he expects that those appointments can be scheduled beginning today or Wednesday via vax.gov.bs.

The move has been prompted by available vaccine supplies, though The Bahamas is expected to receive its remaining balance of 33,600 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from the World Health Organizations (WHO) COVAX Facility before the end of the month.

The slots for this week are booked, Fields said in response to questions from Eyewitness News.

Hopefully, in a couple of days, some slots will be available for next week.

He maintained that the only places slots will become open will remain Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road on New Providence and the Susan J Wallace Centre on Grand Bahama.

He continued: We are working hard on securing supply.

As soon as we know definitively, we will advise the public.

The Bahamas is also expected to receive more than 57,000doses of Pfizerthrough the COVAX Facility.

It had exclusively received AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses through COVAX since the vaccine rollout began earlier this year.

The US is alsoslated to donatea tranche of AstraZeneca doses from its surplus, though quantity and dates have yet to be announced.

Last Thursday, the committee advised that vaccines will be limited to second doses by appointment only for those who are eligible, but there were reports yesterday that some of those individuals were unable to schedule their appointments.

As of Saturday, 99,755 vaccines doses had been administered in The Bahamas, with 60,389 people receiving a first dose of the vaccine and 39,366 fully vaccinated.

National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Chairperson Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis told Eyewitness News yesterday the committee supports mixing COVID-19 vaccines, but it will only do so if the need arises.

Eyewitness Newsreported last week that The Bahamas could join other countries inmixing dosesof the UKs AstraZeneca and US Pfizer vaccines, which has been shown to provide an even greater immune response to the virus.

Excerpt from:

IT'S A NO GO: New vaccination appointments halted for remainder of the week - EyeWitness News

The cruise lines are planning to expand Grand Bahama's capabilities (Grand Bahama Shipyard)

PublishedJul 15, 2021 6:01 PM by The Maritime Executive

Efforts are underway to expand the capabilities of the Grand Bahama Shipyard located at Freeport in the Bahamas. According to the government of the Bahamas, the new investment will be one of the biggest investments in the islands history. When completed, the yard will be capable of handling and servicing the largest ships in the world.

Developed in response to the cruise industrys desire for a shipyard facility close to its base of operations in Florida and the Caribbean, Grand Bahama Shipyard started in 2000 with one drydock capable of handling ships to up to 27,000 tons displacement. The yard added a second drydock in 2001 capable of handling ships up to 50,000 tons displacement and by 2009 a third drydock was added, giving the yard a lifting capacity of up to approximately 82,500 tons displacement. Ownership of the yard includes 40 percent stakes each from Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Group, with the remaining portion held by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

I am pleased to announce that Carnival and Royal Caribbean have agreed to a new, combined investment of approximately $350 million in the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis recently told the House of Assembly. To understand the scale of this investment, the House may recall that the original investment and other investments to date in the shipyard have totaled approximately $250 million.

Carnival Corporation confirmed the plans for the investment, which will be used to expand the yards capabilities. The largest portion of the investment will go into the addition of two large drydocks capable of handling the newer generations of cruise ships. Currently, the largest cruise ships have to head to Europe for their maintenance and overhauls.

Grand Bahamas largest drydock was damaged in an April 2019 accident. They were doing a partial lift of one of the worlds largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbeans Oasis of the Seas, when the dock cracked and one of the cranes toppled over hitting the cruise ship. The yard also suffered damage during Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 but has continued to operate while plans for the future were developed.

Giora Israel, Carnival Corporations senior vice-president for port and destination development, told the Bahamas Tribune Business news outlet that the plan is to build two new drydocks including one that will be the largest floating drydocks in the Americas. They explored building the docks in Europe but determined that they will be built in Asia.

Dr. Minnis speaking about the plans said the expansion of Grand Bahama Shipyard is set to begin as early as this October. The new drydocks are expected at the yard in the second half of 2022.

Grand Bahama is on the move and Grand Bahama is coming back, the Tribune Business quoted Dr. Minnis as telling the House of Assembly. The government and the owners of the shipyard will work on a new partnership agreement that benefits the people of Grand Bahama.

Expanding the facilities of Grand Bahama Shipyard provides the cruise lines with a nearby facility to meet the needs of its ships. The yard was also working to expand its range of services, including supporting more work for the hotel side of the cruise ships hosting the large revitalization projects some cruise lines have been undertaking to modernize older ships.

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$350 Million Expansion Planned for Grand Bahama Shipyard - The Maritime Executive

Looking back on our sitdown in 2018, its difficult to ignore his messaging and his motivation.

I think it was in the pre-draft, when they were doing the lottery for the teams, I was saying Hey, you know, theres times where I just wanna go back and not have people have to leave the Caribbean to exceed their goals, he said back then.

And since then, hes quietly dedicated himself to bringing attention down to the Antilles the same attention that eluded him for far too long.

One of the major turning points for him, he recalled, was attending the Basketball Without Borders camp in Toronto in 2016. There, aside from receiving instruction and inspiration from Yao Ming, he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Rui Hachimura, Frank Ntilikina, Thon Maker and others. The neophytes all hoped to make it in the NBA. Some have succeeded, many havent.

Nonetheless, the experience opened Aytons eyes, in a number of ways.

I met Yao Ming, that was the exciting part of it, Ayton recalled in 2018. I played with different players, you had kids my age, 14, 15, that were playing pro and you know their IQ and the way how they handle themselves was way more mature, and you wanna be mature too. If a kid is your age and you see his swag on and off the floor, being around players helps you develop, so I just fed off of them.

From then to now in just three short years hes come pretty far.

The road from Nassau, Bahamas to the NBA Finals has been long, but it has been as inspiring for those coming behind Ayton as its been fulfilling for him.

As a foreigner, its not gonna be easy, Ayton said of the journey. Theres a lot of trials and tribulations, you just gotta keep pushing If you really wanna succeed in your craft, you will be successful.

Ayton recalled some of the struggles he encountered along the way, and as he looked forward to becoming a force in the league, he looked back at them with a smile.

Its not easy Especially if youre coming out the Bahamas young," Ayton said. "People mess with your accent, theres all types of trolls around you, and if youre not good starting out, people are gonna doubt you and put you down.

He encountered the doubters. He heard people question his desire to be great and whether he could help anchor a championship contender. Those questions have now been answered. Emphatically.

You just gotta find some type of motivation that can give you an outlet and just have you keep going. Basketball is my outlet, so when Im not in [a good] mood, I just play basketball. Its something to do to get your mind off of [negative] things, he said back then.

For those who have been around Ayton from the beginning, his growth has been appreciable. And with the arrival of Chris Paul, he has the opportunity to play with a point guard who has a long legacy of maximizing and effectively utilizing his big man. Ayton now joins a long list of big men that includes David West, Tyson Chandler, Emeka Okafor, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Clint Capela all of whom enjoyed some of their most productive years playing alongside the Point God.

In a league where guards dominate the ball more than ever, perhaps we all now realize whats been missing for Ayton someone who can effectively and consistently set the table.

In his own right, though, Ayton has developed the skills necessary for a big man who wishes to succeed in today's NBA, which embraces switching on the defensive end and floor-spacing on offense. Hes unusually quick and nimble for a man his size and is a better-than-advertised midrange shooter.

As he enters next season the final year of his rookie contract win or lose in these Finals, the Suns will have an important decision to make with respect to the investment they wish to make in the big man.

Ayton, to his credit, has made it a rather easy decision.

Nonetheless, as he approaches stardom in the NBA as well as the most elusive goal, a championship, through it all, he hasnt forgotten where it all began on an outdoor court in Nassau.

Dreaming of becoming one of the few Caribbean-born NBA champions, Aytons journey is really just beginning.

Already having traveled pretty far in a number of ways thats perhaps whats most inspiring.

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From the Bahamas to the NBA Finals, Deandre Ayton shouldered the load - Yardbarker

6-Banner Sunday is Inside the Halls weekly newsletter in partnership withThe Assembly Call. Nearly 8,000 Indiana fans receive the newsletter each week. In addition to appearing each week on the site, you can also opt to receive 6-Banner Sunday by email. A form to subscribe via email is available at the bottom of this weeks 6-Banner Sunday.

Welcome to another edition of 6-Banner Sunday, a joint production betweenThe Assembly CallandInside the Hallwhere we highlight the five most essential IU basketball stories of the past week, plus take a look at how the other IU sports programs are doing.

One more offseason week is in the books, which means were now one week closer to the Mike Woodson era tipping off in Bloomington.

In the meantime, well keep you up to date on all of the most important stories involving your Hoosiers.

Lets get to this weeks:

Class of 2022 commit CJ Gunn suffers a broken wrist. Chris Reynolds tabbed to head NCAA DI mens basketball committee in 2022-2023 IUs new president Pamela Whitten tours the IU athletic campus Indiana adds UNC Asheville to its non-conference slate for 2021-22 Under a month until Indianas Bahamas trip Hoosier Roundup

Indianas lone commit for 2022, CJ Gunn, suffered a broken left wrist on Thursday while competing at the Peach Jam. The injury is not considered serious, but it may keep Gunn out of action for up to five weeks.

If there is a silver lining, the injury was to the left wrist and not Gunns shooting hand. Not only does that alleviate concern for lingering issues going forward, but it will also allow Gunn to continue to work on several skills during his recovery.

You can read more details on Inside the Hall: CJ Gunn suffers broken left wrist at Peach Jam

The success of former Indiana players continued this week when former Indiana guard, Chris Reynolds, was selected to chair the NCAA DI mens basketball committee.

Reynolds played at Indiana from 1989-1993 during one of the most successful stretches in IU history. He was on two Big Ten Championship teams in 1991 and 1993, and the Final Four squad in 1992.

Reynolds currently serves as the vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Bradley.

Some fun images came out of Bloomington this week when new Indiana University President Pamela Whitten took time to tour the Indiana athletics facility with AD Scott Dolson.

Whitten assumed her new post on July 1 and is no doubt getting a crash course in all things IU. With the recent success of so many of IUs athletic teams, she will have the good fortune of presiding over what many are calling a potential golden age of Indiana athletics.

President Whitten also displayed a pretty tight spiral on Twitter as she threw a little touchdown pass to Indiana Football coach, Tom Allen, during her tour of Memorial Stadium. Welcome to Hoosier Nation, President Whitten! Nice pass!

Another date on the non-conference schedule has been filled. Indiana will host UNC Asheville at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Dec. 29th.

UNC Asheville is a part of the Big South Conference and finished last season with a 10-10 record. Last season UNC-A was a fast-paced, high-scoring team, who struggled on the defensive end to keep their opponents from scoring. This should be an interesting matchup and a test for Indianas transition defense.

This addition brings the total of non-conference games for the Hoosier to eight.

Indianas much an anticipated trip to the Bahamas is less than a month away. It is scheduled for Aug. 10-16. While there, Indiana will play a pair of exhibition games against BC Mega, a professional team from Serbia. Indiana fans will get their first glimpse at a Mike Woodson-led Indiana team, and all the new additions on the roster for 2021-22.

The games are not slated to be televised, however, there will be no shortage of media coverage from the event with all of the buzz that is surrounding the Indiana Basketball program.

By Aaron (Ari) Shifron

Ali Patberg Named NCAA Woman of the Year Candidate Berger, Bezerra and Capobianco Named IU Athletes of the Year Indiana Ink: The Permanent Art of Indiana Football Tom Allen Named to Dodd Trophy Watch List Six Hoosiers Selected In MLB Draft Locked InJaquez Smith Aims To Be Receiver Ready High Expectations Loom Again for Indiana Mens Soccer Drew Johansens Divers Prepared to Challenge the World Crider Earns Spot on CoSIDA Academic All-America Division 1 Football Team

Thanks for your continued support for The Assembly Call. Well be back next weekend with a new roundup.

Now go enjoy yourself a 6-banner Sunday.

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6-Banner Sunday: CJ Gunn suffers injury and another non-conference opponent is revealed - Inside the Hall

Kenya Moore impressed fans with a video from the Bahamas. Check out what has her followers excited.

Someone said: 'That looks beautiful. I view it as a tribute to our ancestors who we lost in transit during the despicable transatlantic slave trade ' and another follower posted this: 'Man what part of the Bahamas is this? Because If I wouldve seen this while snorkeling in Freeport Bahamas, I probably wouldve drowned trying to get away '

RELATED: 'RHOA's Kandi Burruss Explains Why Nene Leakes Is Upset With The Cast --- Says The Fans Should See Kenya Moore!

A fan wrote: 'All that our ancestors encountered Power to our ancestors. We are resilient because of them' and someone else posted: 'I would of been crying under water I always wanted to see the under sculpture art '

One follower said: 'Your brave that would have scared me its looking like what are you doing down here ' and someone else posted this: 'Its amazing right have you taken a tour of any of the old historic sites around the island.'

RELATED: Power Couple Kandi Burruss And Todd Tucker Spoke At The Clark Atlanta University And Tiny Harris, Cynthia Bailey, Shamea Morton, And More Praised Them

Kenya Moore has her very own magazine and she shared the first edition on her social media account. Needless to say, fans are completely in awe and they made sure to praise her like there's no tomorrow.

'Kenya Magazine is finally here. All my favs for Summer in one issue! You asked and Im answering! Ive finally found the products that work for me. This is just our first issue and Ill be sharing more beauty, health and fashion and fitness tips and products to come. #Enjoy #beauty #health #hair #skin #summer #fitness,' she captioned her post.

Other than this, Kenya Moore showed off her natural hair for the gram and her fans are here for this. Check out her post below.

'#MooreHairCareMondays All my real hair! No tracks, weave, clip ins, wigs, lace-front, gorilla glue no voodoo or Magic just @kenyamoorehair When you are kind to your hair your hair is kind to you! Love the hair you were born with! Now available at @sallybeauty order yours today! #realhair #naturalhair #nowweave #hair #celebrityhair #kenyamoore #kenyamoorehair #sallybeauty,' Kenya said.

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Kenya Moore Impresses Fans With Video From The Bahamas - Celebrity Insider

NASSAU, BAHAMAS National COVID-19 Vaccine Consultative Committee Co-Chair Ed Fields said yesterday that while it was not in his purview to decide whether the committee will mix-and-match COVID vaccines, the committee will explore the measure of mixing doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

When contacted for comment, Fields said the committee will explore all suggestions made to it and will ultimately follow the science, guided by international health agencies on best practices.

We have not had to do that because we dont have doses to mix, he said.

So, thats sort of a moot scenario.

But Ill have to take that to the committee if we are going to be dealing with that once we get other vaccines.

As you know, weve always been guided by the science, so I am sure wherever the science leads us, thats the direction we will take. But I am not singularly qualified to make that statement off the cuff.

Asked if the committee plans to explore it, Fields said: Anything that is brought to our attention as it relates to the science, comes before the committee, so I am sure we will address it.

In a separate interview last night, Minister of Health Reward Wells said while studies suggest mixing vaccines is the best way, The Bahamas will await the final position of the World Health Organization (WHO) and advice of the governments health professionals.

Germany has obviously gone and mixed Pfizer and AstraZeneca and said they believe it is the best way to actually administer the vaccine, Wells said outside the Holy Trinity Activity Centre.

WHO, I do believe, is putting out its view that countries perhaps should not do that, but when you look at the facts that Germany has already engaged in that and put out a very definitive study that says the efficacy of both vaccines in their view is better if you mix AstraZeneca and Pfizer

The Bahamas government is not in the business of doing that; we follow the WHOs guidelines, and until WHO or our Ministry of Health professionals direct us in a particular direction, then we would go in that particular direction.

Eyewitness News reported on Wednesday that The Bahamas could join other countries in mixing doses of the UKs AstraZeneca and US Pfizer vaccines, which has been shown to provide an even greater immune response to the virus a point raised by Wells earlier this week.

The WHO has said public health agencies, and not individuals, should make decisions on mixing and matching COVID vaccines, based on available data.

As of July 10, more than 97,992 vaccine doses had been administered in The Bahamas, with 60,303 people receiving a first dose of the vaccine and 37,689 fully vaccinated.

There have been concerns about the availability of vaccine supplies in recent weeks, with the number of administered doses exceeding The Bahamas supply of vaccine doses.

In a statement yesterday, the committee advisedthat only second doses of the vaccine will be administered until additional supplies have been received.

Read more:

KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN: Vaccine committee hasn't decided on mixing vaccines but will explore all suggestions - EyeWitness News

Arrival Departure

Origin Airport This field is required.

Island IslandAbaco - Marsh Harbour, BahamasAcklins - Spring Point, BahamasAndros - Mangrove Cay, BahamasAndros - San Andros Nichols Town, BahamasAndros - South Andros, BahamasBerry Islands - Great Harbour Cay, BahamasBimini - Alice Town, BahamasCat Island - Arthurs Town, BahamasCat Island - The Bight, BahamasEleuthera - Governors Harbour, BahamasEleuthera - North Eleuthera, BahamasEleuthera - Rock Sound, BahamasExuma - George Town, BahamasExuma - Staniel Cay, BahamasGrand Bahama - Freeport, BahamasGreat Inagua - Matthew Town, BahamasLong Island - Deadmans Cay, BahamasLong Island - Stella Maris, BahamasNassau, BahamasSan Salvador - Cockburn Town, Bahamas

Lodging Type All Lodging All Inclusive Resort Bed & Breakfast Condominium Bonefishing Lodge Timeshare This field is required.

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Island The Abacos Acklins & Crooked Island Andros The Berry Islands Bimini Cat Island Eleuthera & Harbour Island The Exumas Freeport - Grand Bahama Island Inagua Long Island Mayaguana Nassau & Paradise Island Ragged Island Rum Cay San Salvador

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Book Hotel

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Andros in The Bahamas - The Largest Island in The Bahamas

Celebrity chefs are flocking to the Bahamas, as American visitors are traveling to the Caribbean at nearly pre-pandemic levels.

At the end of the month, Marcus Samuelsson is opening his latest venture, Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, in the capital of Nassau, while Daniel Boulud opened his first venture in the country, Caf Boulud in Rosewood Baha Mar.

The two are joining Katsuya Uechi, who runs the eatery Katsuya, Dario Cecchini, who helms Carna, and Danny Elmaleh, of the outpost Cleo, who are already working in the area.

Meanwhile, Jean Georges Vongerichten is at Dune at the Ocean Club, Nobu Matsuhisa Nobu joins Todd English, who runs Olives and Bobby Flay, who has Mesa at Atlantis, while Jose Andres has Fish at the Cove.

The Bahamian people, the culture and, of course, the access to fantastic Caribbean ingredients is extremely exciting to be around, Samuelsson, the newest chef to hit the shores told The Post. Ive loved visiting the Bahamas for years, so its truly a dream come true to have a restaurant on this beautiful island. I am inspired by the warm Bahamian hospitality and close-knit community that I am looking forward to being a part of as well as welcoming to our restaurant.

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Celebrity chefs are flocking to the Bahamas - Page Six