NEW YORK (TheStreet) — Ultrapetrol Bahamas (Nasdaq:ULTR) has been upgraded by TheStreet Ratings from sell to hold. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, solid stock price performance and increase in net income. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including generally higher debt management risk and poor profit margins.

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This is an excerpt from The Street as it appeared on September 12, 2013. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

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Minister of the Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett addresses the topic: “Energy Sector Reform in The Bahamas” during the BCCEC luncheon September 11, 2013, at the British Colonial Hilton. (BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel)

The Minister of the Environment and Housing Kenred Dorsett outlined a comprehensive plan aimed at reforming the energy sector and delivering more affordable electricity to consumers.

He was addressing the topic: “Energy Sector Reform in The Bahamas” during a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) luncheon September 11, 2013, at the British Colonial Hilton.

Minister Dorsett outlined plans, policies and new legislation aimed at revamping the country’s energy sector, particularly as it relates to the Bahamas Electricity Corp (BEC) the operational costs for investors and commercial entities and the heavy economic impact on Bahamian families.

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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — The Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA) and Port Group Limited (PGL) wish to announce the resignation of Ian Fair as Chairman and Director of both Companies.

Ian Fair was appointed Director of GBPA and PGL in August 2011, and the Boards of Directors appointed him Chairman in April 2012. After serving both Companies for eighteen months, Mr. Fair has resigned effective September 10, 2013.

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The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Insurance Commission of The Bahamas (ICB) announced today that a special Selection Committee has decided on the recipients for the two scholarships being provided for the Associates in Captive Insurance (ACI) designation.

BFSB is partnering with the ICB on the scholarships for The International Center for Captive Insurance Education (ICCIE) Course.

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Executives from the hotels at Baha Mar–The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, The Grand Hyatt, The Mondrian and The Rosewood–recently met with the Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism.

In a collaborative initiative to grow tourism in The Bahamas, the group discussed the appeal of each hotel brand and possibilities to dovetail the extensive global experience of the executive team with Ministry of Tourism activities.

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Fort Lauderdale-based Tropic Ocean Airways has announced the addition of a new eight-passenger Cessna 206 seaplane.

The company offers scheduled seaplane flights to Bimini four times a week and charters every day of the week to anywhere in the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and Florida.

Bimini is about a 30-minute flight from South Florida.

Tropic Ocean launched the seaplane service in 2012, and is the only US-based seaplane carrier authorized by the Bahamian government to service the North Bimini Seaplane Base.

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Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Stuart Bowe has today announced that Frank Comito, the organization’s executive vice president for the past ten years, will be stepping down effective January 30, 2014.

“BHTA is appreciative of the years of service which Frank has provided to our organization and the industry. He has brought to the table a high level of dedication and skills which have served the organization well,” says Bowe.

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The Bahamas has achieved “A” Signatory status to IOSCO as of January 2013, signifying the highest level of compliance with international standards for the jurisdiction’s securities regime.

The International Organisation of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”), of which the Securities Commission of The Bahamas is a member, sets international standards for securities regulation. By a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (“MMoU”), in 2002 IOSCO had established 38 objectives and principles of securities regulation regarding cooperation and exchange of information between member jurisdictions. The Bahamas had “B” Signatory status to the MMoU. Elevation to the “A” Signatory status now signifies full compliance with those objectives and principles. From an industry perspective, the “A” status is important to facilitate Bahamas-based securities service providers and operators fully accessing certain markets, such as Brazil.

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The Comfort Suites Paradise Island in the Bahamas is nearing completion of a multimillion-dollar renovation project.

The majority of the property’s 232 junior suites have already been renovated, which has involved the addition of new bedding, sofa beds, lamps, artwork and rugs, among other features.

The property has also added a new business centre and refurbished its three main meeting rooms.

The hotel’s restaurant, Crusoe’s, has also seen upgrades, while the pool patio deck has received what the property called a “substantial refurbishment.”

“We are very proud of the great feedback guests have always given us about our hotel,” said William Naughton, founder of Comfort Suites Paradise Island. “We have very loyal guests, so customer input is extremely valuable to us and we considered it every step of the way in how we took on this massive refresh.”

This is an excerpt from Caribbean Journal as it appeared on September 9, 2013. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

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MIAMI, Sept. 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach resort, located in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island,Bahamas, today announced Cruise n’ Stay, an all-inclusive package with Celebration Cruise Line.  Guests can enjoy a two-night Bahamas cruise and extend their vacation by adding a two, four or six night stay at the resort.

The all-inclusive stay at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach includes accommodations; meals, snacks and unlimited beverages; a variety of onsite activities such as interactive trapeze lessons, Zumba, paintball and beach volleyball; unlimited non-motorized watersports with complimentary lessons; enrollment in the Viva Wyndham Kid’s Club, a supervised activities program for kids ages four through 12; and live nightly entertainment.

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