Category Archives: Bahamas

By LETRE SWEETING

lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

HOUSING and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis on Friday officially announced the launch of her ministrys rent-to-own housing initiative which will open early next month.

The programme will provide some 50 homes across The Bahamas in its pilot phase.

The rent-to-own initiative, A Place to Call Home, will open the first week in November with plans to construct the homes at Abaco, New Providence, Grand Bahama, North Andros, North Eleuthera, San Salvador, Exuma and Cat Island.

The first phase of the initiative will see some five homes being built in the Spring City community of Abaco.

Applications for housing will only be received through the ministrys website at mothbahamas.com. The open date for applications will be circulated and communicated with the public at a later date, Mrs Coleby-Davis said at the Office of the Prime Minister during a press briefing.

She said the initiative will allow struggling Bahamians in the capital and on the Family Islands the opportunity to save up for their first dream home while living in that home at the same time.

We were getting a lot of queries from the islands, specifically Abaco and Grand Bahama, where Hurricane Dorian affected mostly and theres been a low rate of persons getting back on the job. This would be a great initiative to help them still become homeowners, she said.

Additionally we have a lot of self-employed persons that live on the Family Islands and its been quite difficult for them to secure financing and to get a mortgage.

And, of course, New Providence has a great demand for housing, so anything that the Department of Housing offers as an initiative would also be offered in New Providence."

The minister echoed statements made earlier this year encouraging Bahamians to save a portion of their monthly income and make wise financial decisions, as the housing initiative is geared toward working individuals who are either employed or self-employed.

A Place to Call Home is a multi-island, sustainable, financially viable housing solution administered by the Department of Housing for working individuals, employed and self-employed Bahamians, she said.

We also wish to encourage Bahamians to avoid excessive consumer loans and to create monthly financial budgets. Having a monthly financial budget could assist in better financial management, such as curbing or eliminating unnecessary spending.

Successful applicants will be required to sign an occupancy agreement, which would form the legal basis of the agreement with the Department of Housing and also deal with delinquency of accounts and payments, according to the minister.

"Over an agreed fixed period, not longer than 36 months, rent will be paid to the Department of Housing and a portion of the rent will go toward a downpayment for the mortgage, property maintenance and insurance costs, she explained.

Successful applicants will also be required to attend a home ownership education course through the Department of Housing and agree to financial coaching.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said that this rent-to-own initiative will be administered in a professional and transparent manner.

This is to ensure full compliance with internal controls and quality assurance.

The programme will be subject to audits and financial reporting. Bahamians are advised to take advantage of this initiative.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said that the cost of this initiative will be revealed at a later date, with specific payments and prices being based on the homes and financing period selected by the applicant.

A number of Housing models will be used in A Place to Call Home. The models will range from two-bedroom, one-bath to three-bedrooms, two bath models.

Employed Bahamians wishing to apply when registration opens in November must upload a valid passport, National Insurance Card, job letter, not older than 45 days and their most recent pay stub.

Self employed applicants should upload a valid passport, National Insurance Card, Business License and most recent bank account statement and any additional information, if required, said Mrs Coleby-Davis.

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Rent-to-own housing initiative to provide 50 homes in pilot phase - Bahamas Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FIRST Class Promotions return to professional boxing after almost a decade-long hiatus is all set with the staging of the all-female boxing show on Friday, October 28th at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

The Fight for the Cure show, which is being held in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will feature two title fights between overseas fighters, got the endorsement from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture on Thursday at the press conference in the foyer of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

Kerry Baker, a former basketball player, represented Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg at the press conference that included First Class Promoter Michelle Minus and Quinton Brennen of QB Events Consulting and Marketing.

Baker said the ministry is throwing its support behind the event and is hoping that it will inspire young boys and girls will pick up their gloves and get into some wholesome sporting activities rather than resorting to a life of crime.

We understand that there will be two title fights. That is going to be interesting, Baker said. When you talk about cancer, just about everybody is affected. I know I had a sister who passed away from cancer.

So, Im 100 percent in support of this event and I know the ministry is 100 percent in support of this event as well. This is the first time for an all-female event in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, so lets come out and support the event.

Featured in the main event will be Jessica Camara from Montreal, Canada, with a 10-3-0 win-loss-draw record, against Halanna Dos Santos from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, who is 14-9-0, in a 10-rounder for the World Boxing Association (WBA) 147 pounds title.

In the American co-main event, Mary McGee from Chicago with a 27-4 record will face Prisca Vicot of California, who is 14-8, in another 147lb class bout. Two other bouts will showcase American OShea Jones from Philadelphia, who is 1-0, against Simone Silva from San Palo, Brazil, who is 17-22, in the 160lb class and American Logan Holler from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a 9-2-1 record, against Adriana Arnajou, also from San Paulo, Brazil, who is 6-1, in the 140lb class.

Brennen said the event is about more than just boxing.

Boxing has taken a little hiatus over the past couple years, but what a way to come back at this point, he said. And the way that this event is positioned, its strategic in that in the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we now have an all-female boxing match . . . we want to tie it with the beginning of Sports Month, which begins on November 1. But its more than just that a boxing match. What were trying to do with this, is were paying homage basically to all of the abused women, rape victims, murder victims that has happened through and through the years. Weve seen it over a period of time in our country and so its more than just a boxing match. Were kind of saying now that its the fight for the cure, thats what were calling it. So were basically going to pay homage to all of the women that have kind of experienced all of these things and that sort.

Minus, one of two female promoters in The Bahamas, said people want to see a change and that is the reason why they have decided to put on the all-female show, as opposed to having male competitors.

At the same time, she revealed that First Class Promotions is looking forward to staging a few shows that will have a combination of male and female competitors and all male casts as well in the future.

First Class Promotions is back after almost a decade of not promoting any professional boxing shows, she pointed out.

While the show will be held in honour of the Breast Cancer and the Sister Sister Group, Brennen said they will also be recognising the legendary ailing Ray Minus Jr, who was the founder of Champion Amateur Boxing Club, which gave birth to First Class Promotions.

Ray Minus has made a major contribution to the sport of boxing, Brennen said. He has literally put us on the map. Hes that guy, coming up in our era, who was simultaneously with boxing. We hope to honour Ray Minus and a number of boxers, who went on to represent The Bahamas.

We are looking forward to honouring Ray Minus Jr in particular and other individuals like (Jermaine) Choo Choo (Mackey). So, we thank you for coming out and supporting this event.

Minus, the former wife of Minus Jr, said they are looking forward to recognising him for his contribution while putting on the first all-female show in the Bahamas.

Tickets are priced at $35 for general admission and $125 for VIP. All major cards will be accepted for payment. All persons attending are urged to wear something pink in recognition of Breast Cancer.

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'Come out and support' the Fight for the Cure - Bahamas Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

NIGEL Dakin, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, has expressed gratitude to the Bahamas government for lending support to assist in their fight against crime, saying the nations officers are already making a difference on the grounds there.

The day after the Bahamian officers arrived, they were operational, he said during his address to TCI on Tuesday.

All I need to say now is theyve already made a difference. Some are directly inducted into our tactical firearms unit, making one large joint team. Some are deployed as response units. Their dogs, able to attack or to search, were active at the airport yesterday, supporting our customs officers search for guns and drugs.

I, the Premier and Commissioner, and the people of the TCI, are extremely grateful for what can only be described as very generous support from our steadfast neighbour. Bahamas, you have been your brothers keeper.

Mr Dakin made the remarks while giving an update on local and international response to tackle the rise in gang related violence on TCI, adding the situation there had been significantly more stable in recent days.

He thanked The Bahamas and the US for assisting with policing operations.

According to police officials, about 20 Bahamian officers were sent to TCI last week as a part of a joint national security operation.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe has said the government of Turks and Caicos remains a critical partner in ensuring the safety and well being of Bahamians and assured the operation was in the best interests of the country.

He has also hit out at backlash to the announcement with some observers asking why the government would send police officers abroad while The Bahamas is grappling with a rise in murders and other violent crimes.

In a press statement released on Monday, the Free National Movement raised similar concerns and also called on the government to explain its rationale over the move.

We have for national security reasons not been explicit and I see the leader of the opposition doesnt seem to understand and if I tell you all what the officers are there to do, we are also telling the criminals what the officers are there to do, Mr Munroe responded on Tuesday.

So, I dont grasp how they did national security, but how we do national security is we do not arm our enemy with information so the Bahamian people could be assured that it is the Bahamian national security interests that is being addressed by our officers in the Turks and Caicos.

All we need to do is look at Haiti. Haiti is a failed state in terms of their police apparatus collapsing and if anyone thinks that doesnt impact The Bahamas, then they dont have a sufficiently broad view of our national security interests.

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Turks and Caicos thanks for Bahamas police link - Bahamas Tribune

SportsNewsday Reporter10 Hrs AgoTT men's beach soccer team -

TRINIDAD and Tobago will be represented at the 2022 Bahamas Beach Soccer Cup when both the mens and womens teams will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, later this month.

The tournament is being hosted by the Bahamas Beach Soccer Association in collaboration with Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) and will include Colombia, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and TT.

The TT women will begin the tournament on October 21 against Turks and Caicos and close off the group stage against Bahamas on October 23 at the Beach Soccer Stadium, Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge, Nassau.

On the mens side, TT will take on hosts Bahamas on October 21 before meeting Colombia on October 22 and Costa Rica a day later in the group stage.

The tournament will serve as the beginning of preparations for the 2023 CONCACAF Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers.

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Trinidad and Tobago beach soccer teams to play in Bahamas Cup - TT Newsday

But return to pre-COVID levels not good

Nation musttarget 3-3.5% GDP expansion

Inflation projected to peak at 7.2% this year

ByNEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas is being urged to significantly move the needle on medium-term economic expansion even though the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday raised this nations 2022 growth forecast back to 8 percent.

The Fund, in its latest World Economic Outlook, completely reversed Marchs two percentage point cut by increasing The Bahamas projected GDP growth for this year from 6 percent to 8 percent. That places it among the highest expanders in the Caribbean behind oil-rich Guyana (57.8 percent), Barbados (10.5 percent) and St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia at 9.8 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively.

The IMF also maintained its 4.1 percent growth forecast for The Bahamas in 2023, as this nations tourism-driven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemics depths continues despite mounting fears of a US and global recession coupled with internal headwinds from rising energy costs.

No explanation was provided for the upward revision to The Bahamas 2022 economic growth, which provides modest respite from last weeks grim developments that included another credit rating downgrade by Moodys. However, Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business that the change was likely sparked by the availability of more timely and accurate data on how strongly tourism continues to rebound.

Reiterating that The Bahamas continues to suffer from a deficiency in timely and quality statistical collation, with data on hotel occupancies, cruise ship arrivals and tourist spending - and their overall GDP impact - now more readily accessible for the IMF and others.

Of greater concern, Mr Bowe argued is the IMFs continuing prediction that The Bahamas will return to historical low GDP growth in the short to medium-term once it has recovered what was lost in COVID. Economic expansion is projected to be just 1.5 percent in 2027, and the Fidelity chief told this newspaper: Thats what we have to be very careful on.

When you ask questions about whether we have done anything significant to move the needle, the answer is no. We have to have structural changes, a more established mindset change. He added that last weeks Moodys downgrade, which pushed The Bahamas further into so-called junk status, suggested international as well as local observers want to see meaningful evidence of structural change as well as an altered attitude.

I dont think theres a lack of intellectual thrust in whats being said, but its what we say in the Bahamian vernacular: Mouth can say anything, Mr Bowe said. We have to demonstrate that what we are saying has tangible actions behind it that support it.

In reality, when we dont have an economic plan, we dont have a debt management plan, we dont have a Budget that has credible forecasts in the medium-term... The reality is because you present numbers it doesnt mean they will be automatically accepted. Theres not been a history of long-term forecasts and accountability measuring which elements we have achieved and which we have not.

There was too little analysis and explanation for why certain fiscal targets were missed, and why projections extending out three years were frequently subject to change at each Budget cycle, he added.

Hubert Edwards, the Organisation for Responsible Governances (ORG) economic development committee head, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas must aim for annual GDP growth rates north of 2 percent with a consistent 3 percent to 3.5 percent the ultimate goal if this nation is to make serious inroads into its economic woes.

I dont know if concerning is the right word, he said of the IMFs 1.5 percent growth forecast for 2027. That is the area of biggest focus and the biggest policy challenge. In order for The Bahamas to fundamentally correct some of the issues its faced with, its going to need to experience above average growth.

We have a circumstance where were going to revert to pre-COVID, pre-crisis levels, which is not good, and suggests we have not made any significant shift, not implemented or executed any type of reform, developed and expanded new industries, diversified and expanded into new revenue streams.

The challenge in The Bahamas is to get us north of 2 percent, and get us up to growth of 3-3.5 percent. Historically, we have been averaging just over 1 percent. In times when we have had our greatest level of growth, we have been just about or north of 2 percent. Two percent is the benchmark we need to get beyond. Two percent to 2.5 percent, three percent to 3.5 percent is the area that we need.

Without such growth, Mr Edwards voiced fears that the Government will be forced to introduce new and/or increased taxation and cut public spending to achieve its fiscal targets via austerity measures. He pointed to Moodys recent assessment, which expressed concerns that the Davis administrations plans to restrain public spending may impose downward pressures on economic growth.

Pointing out that these scenarios are to be avoided, the ORG chief added: We need to get to a place where we see real, robust growth, not 2-2.5 percent nominal growth. He also described the IMFs 8 percent growth forecast for The Bahamas for 2022 as a marginal move given that it was not a major increase upon the 7 percent predicted last week by Moodys in its latest credit assessment.

John Rolle, the Central Banks governor, had in early August trimmed his GDP growth forecast for The Bahamas in 2022 to 5 percent, so the IMFs revision at least represents a reasonable upgrade on that. The revised 8 percent GDP expansion follows 13.7 percent growth in 2021, which came after COVID and associated lockdowns/restrictions caused the Bahamian economy to shrink by 23.8 percent in 2020 - the biggest contraction in the Western Hemisphere bar Venezuela and St Lucia.

Elsewhere, the IMF forecast that inflation will peak at 7.2 percent in The Bahamas this year before declining to a more manageable 3.4 percent in 2023. While the 2022 projection indicates there is a bit more pain to be endured in terms of price increases, Mr Edwards said the drastic drop-off in the inflation rate year-over-year could prove a mixed bag if too much demand is squeezed out of the Bahamian economy and its tourism industry.

A supply side improvement, with product shortages reduced if not eliminated, together with a reduction in food and energy costs will benefit the Bahamian economy, he added. But if the US plunges into recession as a result of interest rate hikes designed to dampen down inflation, that may have implications for local economic activity.

Mr Bowe agreed, adding that the US and other major economies are taking a big gamble that through interest rate hikes they can bring inflation under control quickly while also creating a soft landing for their economies with a minimal, short lived recession. Should this fail, The Bahamas will feel the negative consequences.

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'Move the needle': IMF puts Bahamas growth back to 8% - Bahamas Tribune

WELLINGTON, FLORIDA: In a quest for an "adventure of a lifetime", Bryan and Sarah Baeumler decided to placate their family from their cushy home in Canada and move to a remote island in the Bahamas. The couple embarked on this journey after they impulsively bought an old, rundown motel and decided to turn it into a luxury resort. The couple's journey of renovating their newly acquired property while racing against deadlines and an ever-growing budget was documented as HGTV's hit show 'Renovation Island'.

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Over the years, 'Renovation Island' fans began getting personally attached to the couple's journey after watching the duo shed blood, sweat, and tears while racing to complete their Caerula Mar Club resort in the Bahamas. After finally opening up the resort to the public, it became an instant success. So it came as no surprise when the Baeumlers received an inquiry about buying out the resort from them from a potential investor. Though the Baeumlers were initially confused with the offer, the couple decided to keep an open mind and met the buyer. After the meeting, Bryan and Sarah decided not to sell their resort, but instead continued their nomadic lifestyle of juggling between living in their family home in Florida, and overseeing the running of their Bahamas resort operations.

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In case you're wondering why the Baeumlers decided against selling the resort despite it taking away a huge amount of time and resources from them, you can blame it on their emotional attachment to the property. Sarah explained how though they initially took on the project as a viable business opportunity, after going through all the ebbs and flows of getting the resort ready for business, the couple and their family got attached to it. Sarah also expressed that she wasn't ready to let go off her dreams of staying on the island and continuing to build her relations with the locals just yet. Bryan and Sarah decided against selling the resort and giving it a few more years to showcase its full potential.

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On 'Renovation Island' the couple is currently working on renovating their Florida family home, while living out of their new leased vacation rental home. Looks like the Baeumlers have a lot on their plate. We can't wait to see how things pan out for them.

'Renovation Island' Season 3 airs on Sundays at 9/8c on HGTV.

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Why did 'Renovation Island' stars Bryan and Sarah Baeumler not sell their Bahamas resort? - MEAWW

By LETRE SWEETING

lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION Minister Keith Bell said there will be an increased number of immigration officers deployed to Abaco due to the recent expansion of several shanty towns there, with one unregulated community mushrooming to 200 acres since 2019.

A recent operation on Abaco resulted in 52 arrests and exposed the scope of the worsening shanty town problem.

The Department of immigration launched Operation Expedition from October 7 to 10, where immigration officers as well as the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force went to the island to explore, detain and eventually repatriate any irregular migrants found.

The expedition found that one shanty town in particular - The Farm - grew from 50 acres to about 200 acres since Hurricane Dorian.

Other shanty towns, including a large area in Marsh Harbour, have expanded as well.

Mr Bell yesterday echoed his statements made earlier this month, saying that illegal immigration is not at a crisis level in The Bahamas, but instead should be considered a complex problem.

We have an immigration problem in the country, he said at a press conference. And I indicated before that a crisis is something which springs up, which youre not necessarily prepared to deal with. But again, as I indicated, it is a more complex problem, a challenge.

Mr Bell said, We want to assure the Abaconians and the Bahamian people that there will be an increased presence from this point going forward in the Abacos and certainly in other areas nonstop.

But it will obviously call for a multi-agency approach involving immigration, the Ministry of Works, police, defence force, Ministry of National Security, etc to address this issue once and for all.

Regarding The Farms growth, Immigration Director Keturah Ferguson said: It was about 50 acres initially; it has grown a lot more, possibly as much as 200 acres.

Assistant Director of Immigration Peter Joseph explained further that during Operation Expedition two teams explored two shanty town areas where buildings were being built illegally on crown land.

I lead a team to Abaco. On arrival, we split into two groups, one team went to Treasure Cay. Another team went into the Marsh Harbour and surrounding areas. The Farm has expanded to two to three times the original size that it was over the past year and the Marsh Harbor area.

We identified also a number of areas that initially had no building and no development or very little development, which has also expanded exponentially. We conducted this exercise over the course of three days. During the exercise you have a number of persons who attempted to flee offices or to give chase, they were apprehended, taken to our local immigration office or processed.

Chief Immigration Officer Chad Adams said during the expedition, some Bahamians were assisting irregular migrants with hiding and not providing identification.

In some vessels we would have found some trap doors underneath, where persons were pulled from. We also had houses with some trap doors underneath, where we pulled persons from. We also saw individuals who are Bahamian citizens, we entered their home. They would hide them (irregular migrants) in their closets, cupboards, cabinets. So we saw this as a challenge, he said.

We had some battles with Bahamian citizens who didnt feel that they needed to present us with an ID. Those that were questionable were taken into custody, taken to the local immigration offices where they were questioned and interviewed, he said.

Those that did not meet the requirement to be legally in the country were taken into custody and escorted or transported here to New Providence Some are still pending investigations. Some of those individuals are before the courts as we speak, Mr Adams said.

Yesterday Mr Bell said the government has to move toward establishing a positive system of identification of Bahamians born in the Bahamas.

The taking of the biometrics, palm printing, fingerprinting, to ensure that persons born in the Bahamas, they have definitive means of identification of these individuals, he said.

We have cases of fraud, persons assuming the identity of other individuals. And so when they present a birth certificate, for example, there are challenges that we have in the Immigration Department to authenticate or verify that who is claiming to be x is in fact x.

Meanwhile Ms Ferguson agreed with Mr Bell adding that the number of irregular migrants this year is higher than previous years.

The Department of Immigration has noticed the increase of irregular migrants particularly from Haiti and Cuba. This is evident in our repatriation statistics for the period January to October 2022. For this period, the department repatriated approximately 2,804 persons to their homeland; of this number 1,992 were Haitians and 519 were Cubans.

This compares to the statistics for the overall year 2020 and 2021, in which case, there were 964 persons and 2,815 persons, respectively, repatriated. . ., Mrs Ferguson said.

The more notable and larger groups of irregular migrants this year have come from Jamaica, Ecuador and Dominican Republic. Additionally, the department has observed an increase of irregular migrants and several of the major islands throughout the Bahamas.

To date, the government of the Bahamas has spent over $2.2 million on repatriation exercises, she said.

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IMMIGRATION TO SEND IN OFFICERS: The Farm reported to have quadrupled in size since Dorian - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS CBS Bahamas will host the second edition of its workshop series at the new CBS PROstore on Robinson Road. The Fall workshop, which a press release from the home improvement retailer said is in partnership with MGM Construction, will run bi-weekly from 15 October until 26 November.

A press release from CBS stated that the PROstore established the workshop to provide do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) and budding industry professionals with hands-on lessons in construction safety, best practices, and proper techniques.

The four sessions for the Fall Series will reportedly focus on intermediate carpentry, painting for beginners, plumbing basics and insulation installation. The workshop, which is free to attend, was announced via CBS PROstores social media pages.

According to CBS Bahamas marketing director Shawn Gabrielle Gomez, the series received an overwhelming response resulting in all four sessions reaching maximum capacity within 48 hours.

Gomez said, We wanted to keep the maximum number of attendees small as we perfect the series. The Fall Series has a maximum of 25 persons per session, so we expect to work with 100 individuals during this edition of the series.

However, once we hit the maximum number for all four sessions, we realized that well over 100 persons were still trying to register. The response to the event has pushed us to upgrade the next edition of the series to handle the demand and increase our offerings.

She continued, The entire event will double in size to include more attendees and instructors, expand focus areas, and allow for more private sector partnerships. We believe this workshop series will become a staple event reaching and benefitting everyone from DIYers to professionals with years of experience.

Brent Burrows Sr, vice president of Commonwealth Building Supplies Ltd.the parent company of CBS Bahamas, Aluminium Fabricators and the new CBS PROstoredescribed the workshops as a vital element of the company.

The workshop series is a pivotal part of our company because it is where we can nurture a persons passion for this work, said Burrows.

Bahamians are naturally gifted people in many areas, construction included. To be able to sharpen skills and provide them with information that will improve their work and keep them safe is what we want to continue to do.

He noted that the Robinson Road community has been a part of CBS Bahamas story from its inception in 1973.

One of the main goals with this stores location is to involve community members and have them benefit from what we are doing at the CBS PROstore. We want to see more industry professionals developed within the communities surrounding Robinson Road. The workshop series is a good start towards that vision being our reality.

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CBS PROstore goes hands-on with fall workshop - EyeWitness News

The Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands, islets and cays in the Atlantic Ocean. "Bahamas" may refer to the country or the largest island chain it shares with the Turks and Caicos Islands. The last official census took place in 1990, finding a population of 255,000.

The capital and largest city is Nassau, with a population of 255,000. The next-largest city is Freeport, with a population of about 50,000.

The population of the Bahamas is 85% African, 12% European and 3% Asian and 3% Latin Americans. Baptists account for 35% of the population, followed by Anglican (15%), Roman Catholic (13%) and Pentecostal (8%). The region was originally inhabited by the Lucayan, a branch of Arawakan-speaking Taino, although they were later shipped to Hispaniola for slavery by the Spaniards, who never colonized the Bahamas. For most of the 16th century, the islands were abandoned.

Afro-Bahamians are nationals with primary ancestry in West Africa. Afro-Bahamians represent the largest ethnic group in the country, accounting for 85%, with a Haitian community of around 80,000. There are also 17,000 Whites living in the country.

European Bahamians number 38,000 and are primarily descendants of English Puritans and American Loyalists who came to the islands in the 17th and 18th century. The account for 12% of the population and the largest minority group. The Bahamas is currently growing at a rate of around 1.5%. At this rate, the country will reach 396,000 by 2020.

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Bahamas Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)

NASSAU, Bahamas, Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- With newly eased entry protocols and tropical sunshine on the forecast, now is the perfect time to book a trip to The Bahamas. From world-class culinary experiences to lively entertainment and exciting cultural events, see for yourself how much the destination has to offer.

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Come and see for yourself how much The Bahamas has to offer.

Tourism Leadership Continues Its "Bringing The Bahamas to You" Events Across the U.S. In September, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation marked the successful start of global sales and marketing events in Florida, New York and New Jersey. The events are designed to export a taste of Bahamian culture directly to industry leaders, partners, travel agents, media and influencers in major markets across the globe while inspiring travel to the destination. Additional event stops in the U.S. and Canada include Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina; Toronto, Calgary, and Montreal, Canada; and Los Angeles, California. The BMOTIA will also head to Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas in the future.

The Bahamas Further Relaxes COVID Protocols As of 20 September 2022, the COVID-19 testing requirement for entering The Bahamas has been eliminated. All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, are no longer required to submit to pre-travel COVID-19 testing to enter the country. Additionally, as of 1 October 2022, face masks will no longer be required in most public settings. Travellers should visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates to see the latest protocols.

South Eleuthera Hosts a Homecoming Festival Homecomings arepopular festivals in which Bahamians return to their hometowns to celebrate and reminisce. The Wemyss Bight Homecoming Festival, which takes place from 9 to 13 October 2022, will welcome both residents and visitors with live music, Bahamian food and drink and local crafts.

The Harbour Island Regatta Returns The annual Harbour Island Regatta,from 7 to 10 October 2022, will welcome sloop sailors and spectators alike. Participants will race each other across crystal-clear waters to win cash prizes and the grand trophy while those watching can shop artisan vendors andenjoyauthentic local food, drink and live music.

Spend Wednesday Nights at Smith's Point in Grand Bahama Island Wednesday nights in Grand Bahama Island are about to come alive at Smith's Point Fish Fry. Starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, visitors to this Grand Bahama signature event can expect a traditional cookout featuring fried snapper, lobster, potato bread, conch salad and other authentic Bahamian dishes to a backdrop of live music.

Baha Mar Launches The First Annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival Experience world-class dining and indulge in exclusive dinners in spectacular locations, as well as tastings and intimate conversations with master chefs like Marcus Samuelsson and Daniel Boulud, as well as Nassau native celebrity chef Simeon Hall Jr. at the first annual Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival,from 21 to 23 October 2022.

The Bahamas Scores 28 Nominations in the Caribbean Journal Travelers' Choice Awards The Islands of The Bahamas are well represented in the 2022 Caribbean Journal Travelers' Choice Awards. Categories range from top destination to hotel and beach bar awards. Voting is live now through 19 October 2022.

The Bahamas Shines Bright in Scuba Diving Magazine Participants in Scuba Diving Magazine's 2023 Reader's Choice Awards named The Bahamas a top destination for aquatic adventures in 13 categories, including best waters for animal encounters (No. 1), caves (No. 2), wrecks (No. 3) and beginners (No. 3).

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERSFor a complete list of deals and discounted packages for The Bahamas, visitwww.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

You Can Earn a Complimentary Night at Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina Guests travelling to Abaco who book seven consecutive nights at Green Turtle Club Resort & Marinawill earn a complimentary night. The offer is applicable for any room type, including waterfront villas.

Private Pilots Visiting The Bahamas' Out Islands Will Receive a $150 CreditPrivate pilots who book a two-night hotel stay at participatingBahama Out IslandsPromotion Board hotels between now and 30 June 2023, for travel until 31 October 2023, will receive a $150 credit.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

Explore all the islands have to offer at http://www.bahamas.com or on Facebook,YouTubeor Instagramto see why It's Better in The Bahamas.

PRESS INQUIRIESAnita Johnson-PattyBahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation[emailprotected]

Weber ShandwickPublic Relations[emailprotected]

SOURCE The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation

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WHAT'S NEW IN THE BAHAMAS IN OCTOBER 2022 - PR Newswire