PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–While Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas was fortunate to not have been impacted by Hurricane Irma, the storm left devastation in her path across several family islands of The Bahamas and many areas in Florida.

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The marine recreational sector of the Bahamas’ tourism industry is up and open for business. Most of the member marinas of the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) are reporting no damage from Hurricane Irma and are open and ready for business.

“This hurricane caused great damage throughout the region and the Southern Bahamas,” says ABM President, Stephen Kappeler, “and we sympathize with the citizens of the islands that were so badly affected. We are also deeply concerned about the welfare of citizens of the state of Florida, whose lives have been so disrupted by Hurricane Irma,” he said.

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Here follows the opening remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest at opening of the Securities Commission of The Bahamas industry briefing, 14 September 2017 at the British Colonial Hilton:

I would like to thank the Securities Commission of The Bahamas for inviting me to speak this morning. A little over a month ago, I had the opportunity to address financial and corporate service providers overseen by the Commission in its capacity as the Inspector. I am pleased to now be given the opportunity to address this briefing for registrants, licensees and stakeholders in the investment funds, securities and capital markets.

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Z/YEN has published its twenty-second Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 22). This index is widely quoted as a source for ranking financial centres.

The Bahamas saw a strong rise in its rank and ratings moving up two places in rank and increased its ratings by 32 places.

Download or view a PDF of Global Financial Centres Index as provided by the Z/YEN, September 2017. (4.5 MB)

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The travel and tourism industry has launched the Caribbean Hurricane Tourism Recovery Fund, uniting the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) with the Tourism Cares organization, which has helped to lead private sector efforts globally following crisis.

The fund will allow tourism industry stakeholders and friends of the region throughout the Caribbean and the world to pool their resources in support of vulnerable, devastated areas of the northern Caribbean, which welcome millions of visitors and supports 2.4 million tourism-related jobs.

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Director general at the Ministry of Tourism Joy Jibrilu recently gave an update on the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Watch an interview with Jibrilu here.
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The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has activated its CTO Relief Fund through GoFundMe to help families and countries rebuild after hurricanes, particularly in the wake of the massive category 5 Hurricane Irma, which has impacted a number of member countries.

All of the money raised through the CTO’s Relief Fund will be sent directly to CTO-member destinations affected by the catastrophic storm, which hit some countries with winds up to 185 mph.

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The cabinet office advises that all government offices will re-open today 11 September at the usual hours of operation, except on islands where there have been evacuations and those on the islands of Andros, Bimini and Grand Bahama that have not been given the all clear.

Nassau Airport Development Co, which operates the Lynden Pindling International Airport on New Providence, issued the following statement September 8:

The Nassau Airport Development Co wishes to advise that the Lynden Pindling International Airport sustained no damage from Hurricane Irma.

In view of the “All Clear” issued by the National Emergency Management Agency and the Meteorological Department, airport employees and stakeholders are asked to safely return to the airport to prepare for the prompt resumption of operations on Sunday, September 10, 2017.

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Due to the proximity of Hurricane Irma and the forecasted weather associated with the storm, the Cabinet Office announced the closure of all government offices, except for essential services, at 5:00 pm 6 September, 2017 until further notice.

In statement released yesterday by the Cabinet Office, the government said that based on the intensity of the storm residents are advised to heed the warnings issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Department of Meteorology, and stay tuned for further updates.