Why did nobody warn us!
Bahamas: A growing number of Americans are getting angry

Tourists without good backgrounds are always astonished about the discrepancy between advertising statements in travel brochures and the real disappointments and dangers in The Bahamas. Unfortunately officials from the Bahamas travel industry have to be warned to continue to present their product in a wholly positive light and to say things which are not altogether true.

„We have to give more“, is a slogan the Ministry of Tourism addressed to employees in the Bahamian tourism industry but in fact poor services, high prices and unfriendly attitudes continue. Serious attacks towards American tourists who stayed at a Cable Beach Hotel are described as little problems whereas those families had their worst time in their lives because criminals threatened them with guns demanding money. The list of problems foreigners encounter in The Bahamas is endless: A American second homeowner have been killed in the Out Islands. And a two year old child was killed by a runaway speedboat at the Altantis beach on Paradise Island. The family says that they have been ignored by Bahamian ministers and police with letters going unanswered and phone call unreturned. And what is the New York based public relations agency saying?

Bahamas: Cocaine, Crime and Corruption

Bahamas Consult has the answer: The Bahamas is a rogue nation, the Bahamas government ignores every foreign plight, they treat Americans and other foreigners like a little bit of dirt and sweap everything under the carpet. Where can this happen that speed boats offering services to foreigners are not licensed, that fixed seats inside the boat are replaced by cardboard boxes and that boat owners do not have a valid insurance? Right in the Bahamas.

Consequently the Bahamas is a country to avoid

Even cruise passengers find other Caribbean destinations more popular. According to a survey only 59 percent said they were likely to come back to the Bahamas on a cruise. Negative aspects are dissatisfaction because visitor thought Nassau has a clean ambience and locals would be friendly. Nassau is ranking low also on terms of attractions. The Ardastra Gardens for instance is described as „one of most family-friendly spots on earth“ the real experience is that Nassau is not worth to visit. One will easily recognize why so many people call Bahamians sharks and chameleons. „They are born to lie, to ripp Americans off and nothing is getting better. These are the reasons why other Caribbean destination profit more from the growing tourism market than The Bahamas.

Bahamians treat Americans like a little bit of dirt

Boring as well is Bahamas by night. The most interesting evening activities at Atlantis Resort are slot machines, black jack tables and video games. Travellers experience homesickness very quick and selected Bahamians who volonteered to take visitors under the wing of the Ministry of Tourism´s People-to-People Programme confirm that tourists claim poor nightlife, too expenisive drinks and dangerous surroundings. If you wish to visit a place in the center of Nassau at night, it ist he best to take a taxi to ist door. Women should avoid venturing out alone there after dark.

Overnight visitors and hotel guests claim the extremly high contrast between rich and poor neigborhoods. In Nassau one find fresh painted government buildings in pink color and next to them broken down properties, fly-blown restaurants and paint-peeling shops even at Bay Street and other downtown destricts.

Nassau/Bahamas: Cruise destination to avoid

Official surveys confirm that over 60 percent of visitors of Nassau/Paradise Island are disappointed. They even would not recommend The Bahamas for family members and friends. This means consequently that guests of the famous Atlantis have bad Paradise Island memories too. Americans claim that the old Beach and Coral Towers are extremply overpriced and the walls of the Royal Tower would be very thin so that one hear people partying late. Travellers cannot imagine ever returning to this resort because they find Bahamian employees rude and not accommodating.

Seafood is decribes as culinary seduction. Conch and extremly expensive grouper are national favorites. Fish stands at Arawak Cay and Potter´s Cay are highly recommended in travel broschures but nobody warns about the dirt and the high risks of conch poisoning especially during the summer months. Resprenstatives from the bahamas travel insudtry: Some of the best buys include deals on „Bahamian craftsmanship and creativity, with stacks of local hand-made products at tempting prices“. In fact most of the products you get offered at the straw market are imported from China – even the straw bags. One can also read: „There are no income tax, capital gains or inheritance taxes“. But due to high customs duties and other taxes The Bahamas is one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the world.

The Bahamas and its New York based public relations agency Weber Shandwick say The Bahamas is a good year-round destination due to the tropical climate. In fact the months from November and throughout the winter until middle of March can be cold and rainy. And travellers visiting The Bahamas in 2004 were threatened by heavy hurricanes. Unfortunately especialy in Bahamian travelboards comments have been published too early that damages of buildings and infrastructure were repaired and hotel services, water supply, watersports etc. are back to normal.

The Bahamas Drug trafficking, Dishonesty and Disappointments

The U.S. Department of State issues continously Travel Warnings for Spring Breakers traveling to The Bahamas. Drug trafficking have increased to such a level that it is necessary to officially inform younger tourists about the bad conditions they may encounter in the island nation. The American embassy in Nassau mentions theft, armed robbery, physical attacks, kidnapping and murder of tourists as potential risks. Dangerous possesion of arms are also increasing even on the so called out islands. Americans often wonder that The Bahamas is a country with a high crime rate and extensive corruption because generally people living on small islands are honest. But it is different on this little island nation: The Bahamas with its many islands which are after sunset major drug trafficking transshipment points are more and more well known for a country of a high crime and stealing rate, one of the most imprisoned people per capita ... and one of the highest murder rate in the world. Americans often inform their embassy in Nassau about the bad conditions they encounter but they claim the uneffectful help as well.

Wheather it ist rue or not that only 80 percent of the population is black it is true that dishonesty is deeply rooted in the Bahamian society. Foreigners claim that the corrupt legal profession is extremly embedded in political culture of The Bahamas. Therefore Bahamas Consult says „The Bahamas does not have the right climate for investments or financial services and warns investors from North America and Europe about doing business in The Bahamas. „Bahamians are experts in cheating foreigners and stealing money from them. They are modern pirates. Bahamian lawyers are more and more known for their poor attitudes and inefficient services. There are various official complaints pending but no decisions are taken by the Bar Association or the Ministry of Justice.This should be also said when we talk about a honest information policy“, says Harald Fuhrmann, Bahamas Consult´s managing director. MORE

Americans living in the New York area and travelling by a cruise line should visit our website www.bahamasNYC.us.tc too.