We’ll see you again in the New Year friends.
Be safe tonight and don’t take any chances.
George wants everyone to know that he won’t be drinking at all tonight and he’ll be available to drive folks home if they need a ride. (You know who you are!)
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Congratulations to Trinidad and Tobago: Now “Murder Capital of the Caribbean”, knocks Jamaica out of #1 spot
“The English-speaking Caribbean, which extends from the Bahamas in the north to Trinidad and Tobago in the south, averages 30 murders per 100,000 inhabitants per year, one of the highest rates in the world, according to the Economist.
With 550 homicides in 2008, Trinidad and Tobago has a rate of about 55 murders per 100,000 making it the most dangerous country in the Caribbean and one of the most dangerous in the world, according to press reports. The rate of assaults, robbery, kidnapping and rape in Trinidad and Tobago is also among the highest in the world.”
… from eTurbo News article Trinidad and Tobago have overtaken Jamaica in a dubious distinction: the “murder capital of the Caribbean.”
Lawyer Stephen Alleyne cautions Barbados shouldn’t be so smug
The authorities in Barbados should find no solace in the fact that, according to Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin, the murder rate in Barbados is one of the lowest in the English-speaking Caribbean. At 8.2 per 100 000 of population, it remains one of the highest in the world, outstripping most North American and European countries…
… continued at The Barbados Advocate article New Challenges Ahead
Filed under Barbados, Crime & Law, Police
January 11, 2010 court date in Cyclist’s Death – Barbados Police unable to say how much accused had been drinking
Another fatal accident in Barbados with no sobriety test for the driver
The man charged in cyclist Percival Niles’ death on December 5th is now released on bail until the next court date of January 11, 2010. Tremaine Peter Sargeant is charged with driving a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public.
Once again officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force are unable to perform a complete professional motor vehicle accident investigation because successive DLP and BLP governments have not seen fit to pass modern anti-drunk driving laws and provide the police with breathalyzer equipment.
No Money for Breathalyzers, but lots for Rich Racing Horse Owners!
About a year ago though, Prime Minister David Thompson and his government gave NINETEEN MILLION of YOUR tax dollars to the Barbados Turf Club so the big boys could continue to have fun with their hobby horses.
That’s priorities for you. What are the deaths of a few Bajans compared with keeping the Dom Perignon champagne flowing at the Barbados Turf Club?
Further Reading at BFP…
Barbados Health Minister Donville Inniss: Breathalyzer Law & Equipment not necessary
Filed under Barbados, Crime & Law, Police
How many Barbados politicians received trips, gifts or “campaign donations” from Sir Allen Stanford?
PM Thompson Says His Use Of CLICO's Business Jet Is None Of Your Business
Let’s have some transparency and disclosure by Barbados Politicians!
Many US politicians received jet rides, trips and “political donations” from Sir Allen Stanford and now the US Justice Department is investigating just what Mr. Stanford received in return. The United States and their citizens care about that kind of corruption in the political system so they have disclosure laws about gifts and donations that politicians must follow.
Unlike Barbados where we have no campaign financing, disclosure or conflicts of interest laws for elected and appointed government officials. In Barbados “campaign donations” are just as likely to end up in the Prime Minister’s personal bank account, but as former PM Owen Arthur knows – even when he was caught it didn’t matter.
Yup, things may not be perfect in the USA but at least there are laws in place. Unlike Barbados where Prime Minister David Thompson can be given free jet rides on CLICO’s jet and then be bailing out Leroy Parris and his friends a short time later with millions of our tax dollars.
We’re inspired by this latest development in Allen Stanford’s story of corruption and greed to ask our Barbados politicians…
Dear Prime Minister Thompson, Opposition Leader Mottley and former Prime Minister Owen Arthur,
In the interest of transparency, please provide a list of campaign donations, gifts, trips or any other thing or consideration that you or anyone in your respective parties received from Allen Stanford or his businesses or associates. If nothing was received from Stanford, please say so.
Further Reading
Houston Chronicle: Feds probe links between lawmakers, Allen Stanford
TPM Muckraker: Stanford’s Shady Ties To Lawmakers Under Scrutiny
Another Drinking Driver gets off easy because Barbados Police lack Breathalyzers
Attorney General Stuart, Prime Minister Thompson, Transport Minister Boyce
Hit & Run, Drinking Driver fined only $750 for Second Offense
Thanks to successive BLP and DLP governments’ neglect of road safety and their failure to implement breathalyzer laws and equipment, Awadh Narayn Inder was fined only $750 for a hit and run accident on Christmas Eve. Oh… it’s Inder’s second offense.
The arresting police officer stated that Inder was “under the influence” but unfortunately, you know how it is in Barbados. Unless a driver is falling down drunk the police have no recourse because unlike other countries that implement anti-drinking driving measures, in Barbados it’s okay to drink and drive if you can still stand up.
Everyone knows that a drinking driver can look okay and still be dangerous, but in Barbados without breathalyzer laws and equipment the standard for sobriety is “He can stand up on his own.”
What a joke…
The judge warned Inder to “stop drinking and driving” – a hollow threat if ever we’ve heard one. Not that Inder cares: this is the second time he’s been caught. In some places in the USA, Britain or Canada he’d be in jail, his car would be sold at auction and he’d be prohibited from driving for three years or more.
In Barbados with no effective laws and our cultural acceptance of drinking and driving, Mr. Inder and folks like him are barely inconvenienced by getting drunk, running into someone and driving away and hiding. Even when caught the second time the penalty is nothing to be frightened of, so pass the bottle and to hell with the police and the courts.
To Owen Arthur, Mia Mottley, David Thompson and a series of Attorneys General: the victims and the families of the dead and injured say “Thanks for nothing.”
Today’s Drinking Driver: Awadh Narayn Inder
Here’s the story from The Nation newspaper…
AFTER Awadh Narayn Inder hit a car on Tweedside Road, St Michael, on Christmas Eve he did not stop to inspect the damage, exchange numbers with the other driver, or call the police.
Instead, the 33-year-old labourer, of Sobers Lane, St Michael, bolted from the scene and got as far as the Belle Estate, where he parked the car in a dark spot trying to elude the driver who pursued him.
Appearing before Acting Magistrate Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell in the Bridgetown Traffic Court yesterday, Inder admitted that he unlawfully drove vehicle X8322 on Tweedside Road without due care and attention.
She slapped Inder with a $750 fine payable in six weeks, or 14 days in HMP Dodds, and warned him to “stop drinking and driving”…
… continue reading this article at The Nation Fined $750 for hit-and-run
Further Reading at BFP
Barbados Health Minister Donville Inniss: Breathalyzer Law & Equipment not necessary
Filed under Barbados, Crime & Law, Police
Two women at the helm of Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry – Is that better than two men? Worse? Same?
First Female Executive Director for Chamber to assume duties January 2010
Lisa Gale is new BCCI Executive Director
The Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry is pleased to announce that Mrs. Lisa Gale will assume the responsibilities of Executive Director as of Monday 1st January 2010. Mrs. Gale is the first female Director in the history of the Chamber.
Having a wealth of experience in Economics and International Trade, Mrs. Gale’s prior immediate post was Senior Economist in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, where she advised Government on International Trade Policy for 8 years. This involved among other duties, interacting with CARICOM and other regional organisations, as well as preparing trade reports, briefs, Cabinet Papers and statistics. She also liaised with the public as it relates to International Trade matters – all of which suit the challenges of leading Barbados’ oldest Non-Governmental Organisation.
Madame President Glenda Medford observed that since both the Chamber’s President and Executive Director are ladies – as BCCI enters a new decade and era, the helm will benefit from ‘the feminine touch.’
Lisa Gale is a Combermerian who also received training at both the Cave Hill and Mona campuses of UWI, as well as graduating with Distinction from the College of International Broadcasting (Barbados). For three years she also tutored Micro-Economics at the University of the West Indies. The Executive Director says she looks forward to ‘hit the ground running’ and implementing her mandate to carry the Chamber forward into the next decade. Mrs. Gale holds a bachelors degree in Economics and a Masters in International Trade Policy and has benefitted from a plethora of training courses organized by the World Trade Organization.
That’s the BCCI Press Release Above – Now for a Reality Check
BCCI President Glenda Medford
If a CV and experience are the sole qualities necessary for running any organisation, then President Glenda Medford and Executive Director Lisa Gale should be successful at the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Both are qualified on paper.
But as we’ve seen time and time again in other organisations, paper qualifications are no substitute for the dynamic leadership necessary to make things happen. The education and technical skills are a necessary foundation, but unless “Capital L” LEADERSHIP is there no progress will be made.
The first question is: Can the BCCI make a real difference to our faltering financial and tourism sectors that are the very heart of our country’s economy?
We at Barbados Free Press aren’t sure that having “the feminine touch” or “a man’s hand” has anything to do with making the BCCI useful to Barbados and the Barbados business community.
Okay, ladies – we’ll have a day or two of celebration about an all-female leadership team at BCCI, but then let’s talk performance.
And please appreciate that we’re happy to see more of our sisters, wives, mothers and daughters actively taking leadership roles in Barbados (and that for BCCI like everyone, there is no such thing as bad publicity.)
But January 2nd is coming and then it will be time to get back to work. BCCI’s leadership team might want to consider the following questions that are on every business person’s mind when they hear “BCCI” – even if they are too polite to ask the questions directly…
What is the mission statement of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry?
Is the mission of the BCCI still valid? Does the mission need changing?
Is BCCI fulfilling its mission? How do we know that BCCI is fulfilling its mission?
What can the BCCI do to improve my business and my profit?
How do we measure BCCI’s performance and impact upon our economy and upon my business?
Filed under Barbados, Business, Offshore Investments
Irish Times: Most Barbados Red Legs have bad or no teeth. Many blind, without limbs.
I’ll leave the discussion on this one to our readers!
Excerpts from the Irish Times article Remnants of an indentured people
“In 1636 a ship sailed out of Kinsale bound for Barbados. Its cargo? Sixty-one Irish people destined to join thousands of others as indentured servants. Photographer SHEENA JOLLEY met their descendents, the Red Legs, who still live there today.
AN ESTIMATED 50,000 “white slaves” were transported from Ireland to Barbados between 1652 and 1657. Having succeeded in recruiting Irish men to die in the services of France, Spain, Poland and Italy, Cromwell turned his attention to others – men and women press-ganged by soldiers, taken to Cork and shipped to Bristol where they were sold as slaves and transported to Barbados. (snip)
Today, most Red Legs have bad or no teeth due to poor diet and lack of dental care. Illnesses and premature deaths due to haemophilia and diabetes have left men blind and without limbs.
They are no longer plagued by the old diseases of hookworm, typhoid, and cholera, but school absenteeism, poor health, the ill effects of inter-family marriage, large families, little ownership of land and lack of job opportunities have locked those remaining on the island into a poverty trap. Even today the Red Legs still stand out as anomalies and are hard pressed for survival in a society that has no niche for them.”
The Peter Simmons Solution to black prejudice against Red Legs: Wipe out the race through intermarriage with black Bajans
Peter Simmons
Peter Simmons, in a report for the ministry of education in Barbados, suggested that a solution to the poverty and stigma of being a Red Leg is better education and intermarriage with the middle class blacks. He wrote: “Born with a brown skin and armed with a basic education, these children shall never know what it really means to be a Red Leg.”
Filed under Barbados, Culture & Race Issues, History, Human Rights, Race, Slavery
Happy Kwanzaa! – The Holiday Created By A Criminal Who Kidnapped & Tortured Women
Let’s tell the truth about Kwanzaa, shall we?
Today’s Barbados Advocate has an article on page 5 called “Kwanzaa celebrations begin with Unity”
Elder Thelma Gill-Barnett was interviewed and stated “Kwanzaa is not political, not religious and not related to Christmas. Some people feel it’s going against Christmas, but Kwanzaa is not about Christmas and it’s not against Christmas. I would say that Kwanzaa is for Christmas without the political and economic side of things.”
Not political? Hmmmm…. maybe Elder Thelma should get in touch with the inventor of Kwanzaa at the Kwanzaa Information Center. Here’s some of what we learned…
Don’t forget… the first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja – unity of race for blacks. As it says at the official Kwanzaa Information Center: “red, or the blood, stands as the top of all things. We lost our land through blood; and we cannot gain it except through blood. We must redeem our lives through the blood. Without the shedding of blood there can be no redemption of this race.” The Kwanzaa Information Center also notes that the flag “has become the symbol of devotion for African people in America to establish an independent African nation on the North American Continent.”
“Independent African Nation on the North American Continent” sounds political to me… and racist too!
Kwanzaa’s Inventor
Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Ronald McKinley Everett who changed his name a few times and finally settled on Maulana Karenga. Karenga was the founder of the murderous United Slaves movement in the 1960’s and was funded at the time by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation – the FBI – in a warped scheme where the FBI decided the best way to fight the black power movement was to fund different factions to keep them from uniting.
“I’m trying to understand which of the seven principles of Kwanzaa was represented by founder Karenga putting a running hose and detergent into the mouths of kidnapping and torture victims…”
After inventing the racist celebration of Kwanzaa in 1966, in 1971 Karenga and two other associates were convicted of kidnapping two black women and torturing them in an effort to learn if they were working for anyone else. Interesting considering that Karenga was the recipient of FBI stoolie money himself!
“Deborah Jones, who once was given the Swahili title of an African queen, said she and Gail Davis were whipped with an electrical cord and beaten with a karate baton after being ordered to remove their clothes. She testified that a hot soldering iron was placed in Ms. Davis’s mouth and placed against Ms. Davis’s face and that one of her own big toes was tightened in a vise. Karenga also put detergent and running hoses in their mouths…”
I’m trying to understand which of the seven principles of Kwanzaa was represented by founder Karenga putting a running hose and detergent into the mouths of kidnapping and torture victims…
At first I thought is was Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) “To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.”
… but then I thought it would be pretty hard to speak with the hose and detergent in the mouth, so I thought the principle represented might be…
Kuumba (Creativity) “To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.”
After all… clean is beautiful, you know!
But then I found the answer right in front of me. Of course! Karenga had two other black brothers helping him torture the women, so the principle was…
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) “To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.”
That’s the principle being illustrated by working together to torture the women.
Happy Kwanzaa!
Filed under Barbados
Muslim Binary Bombs will put pressure on Airline travel, Tourism
Tough New Security Rules are sure to discourage air travel.
The Christmas Day Muslim terror attack on Northwest Airlines flight 253 failed only because the Muslim fascist who carried it out did not properly mix and ignite the binary explosive strapped to his body.
That is this writer’s opinion after some basic online research and watching a video about binary explosives.
According to what we can gather from news reports and the criminal complaint (linked below), the Nigerian Muslim terrorist named Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab made it through several security inspections prior to boarding the aircraft in Amsterdam. As the Airbus 330 descended into Detroit, the terrorist spent some 20 minutes in the washroom and then returned to his seat where he attempted to set off an explosive device that was strapped to his leg. The device “popped” – that is partially exploded – and then started to burn.
Merry Christmas from Muslim Fascists
The Muslim terrorist was jumped by passengers who restrained him from further attempts to murder every man, woman and child on the aircraft. The criminal complaint states that cabin crew members used fire extinguishers to put out the man’s “pants leg and the wall of the airplane” that were on fire. The device contained the powerful explosive Pentaerythritol tetranitrate also known as PETN. A partially melted syringe was found nearby.
“PETN is more sensitive to shock or friction than TNT or tetryl, and it is never used alone. It is primarily used in booster and bursting charges of small caliber ammunition, in upper charges of detonators in some land mines and shells, and as the explosive core of detonation cord.[2] PETN is also one of the ingredients of the Semtex plastic explosive.” … from Wikipedia
Binary Explosives – Undetectable and benign until mixed
I didn’t know much about “binary explosives” until this terror attack, but as is normal these days it doesn’t take long to acquire some basic knowledge through the internet. What I discovered is frightening. Binary explosives are made by combining two substances in the right proportions. Some of the substances are undetectable with bomb-sniffing equipment until they are mixed together. The components can be disguised as common items such as make-up powder, toothpaste and hand sanitizing gel.
When done properly the explosives can be incredibly powerful – and are made all the more powerful when the target is a high-flying pressurized airliner that is subject to explosive decompression when even a small hole is opened in the aluminum skin.
Successful ignition of binary explosives can be tricky, and for this reason the mixture is sometimes enhanced with a third substance to allow the explosive to be set off by an ordinary fuse and cigarette lighter instead of a blasting cap or munitions primer. Timing of the ignition can also be important: too soon or too late after mixing and some binary explosives will burn instead of exploding. Once again, this is basic information and much much more is all to be found on the internet including detailed bomb-making instructions.
Considering everything I’ve been able to learn about the attack and binary explosives, I think that the Muslim fascist failed only because he did not properly mix and ignite the binary explosive strapped to his body. He made it through security, he mixed the ingredients and he ignited them. Thank God they didn’t explode.
The impact on the airline industry is the same as if the Muslim terrorist had exploded his bomb and brought down NorthWest Flight 253
New Airline Security Measures a direct result of NorthWest Flight 253
The airline industry and governments are still in the first stages of their response to what happened on Flight 253, but some of the new security measures being reported in the media and on traveler’s forums are so strict that we believe they will seriously impact airline passenger arrivals in Barbados if this is the new reality of air travel.
We’re not saying that these security measures aren’t a necessary response to the threat of Muslim binary bombs – we’re saying that for many prospective visitors to Barbados, the increased security may be the final straw in deciding to drive to Florida or Portugal for a vacation instead of flying to Barbados. Okay, it’s a couple of days hard driving, or maybe folks will take a train or stay in the south of France, or go on a cruise leaving from Southampton – but at a certain point ordinary vacationers will say, “Flying to Barbados or anywhere isn’t worth it.”
“Under new rules enacted by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, passengers and their carry-on baggage will be subject to full searches both at airport screening points and prior to boarding at the aircraft gate area. As a result of the added security precautions, passengers should also expect delayed and cancelled flights as well as missed connections.” (from a travel advisory forum)
At a certain point vacationers will say, “Flying to Barbados or anywhere isn’t worth it.”
Has that time come? Consider some of the new security measures put in place in the last 48 hours as gathered from news stories and travel forums. (See some of the links at the bottom of our story.)
Once again, these measures might be temporary or they might be the new reality…
– Intense hand search of carry-on luggage for everybody. Line up at security a minimum 2 hours before the flight.
– Personal search for all passengers.
– Searched twice: once going through security, and another hand search at the gate prior to boarding. Everybody.
– Only one carry-on bag per person.
– No liquids, gels or toothpaste at all allowed in carry-on baggage. (Report from passenger that her contact lens container in pocket had to be emptied.)
– No electronic devices allowed to be used in flight.
– No getting out of your seat during the last hour of flight. (Gotta go? Too bad!)
– No access to your carry on bag during flight. None. Bag must be stored overhead, not under the seat ahead of you. That’s why only one carry-on allowed so everything fits in the overheads. (Man, those diapers on the kids in row 43 are going to be stinky!)
At a certain point ordinary travelers will say, “Flying isn’t worth it.” Has that time come?
Barbados will feel the impact
While our more northern Caribbean neighbours may be able to balance a loss of flying travelers with an increase in cruise ship arrivals (assuming more folks choose to drive to Florida and take a cruise ship from Miami instead of flying to the Caribbean) – Barbados is at the end of the line for the Miami cruise ships. I’m not sure how much we would benefit from even a 20% increase in Caribbean cruise ship traffic as much of that traffic would, I think, stay north for shorter trips.
I don’t have any solutions friends, and I’m no travel expert. I hope I’m proven wrong, but I think that the terror attack on Northwest Airlines flight 253 is horrible news for Barbados tourism.
Further Reading
ABC News – Officials: Only A Failed Detonator Saved Northwest Flight
Chron.com – Terror scare leads to new travel rules
Globe Mail – Nigerian charged with trying to blow up airliner
Globe Mail – Montreal woman aboard Flight 253 tells of foiled terror attack
ABC News – Investigators: Northwest Bomb Plot Planned by al Qaeda in Yemen
Filed under Aviation, Barbados, Barbados Tourism, Religion, Tourism, Travel, Traveling and Tourism
Barbados Allegiance – Can this new political blog remain non-partisan and non-attack?
A new Barbados political blog went online a few days ago with a mission statement to discuss Bajan politics in a non-partisan forum and without attacking any specific political party, policy or person.
The gang at Barbados Free Press wishes all the best for the authors of Barbados Allegiance Blog and welcomes any new voices and perspectives to the political discussion in Barbados.
We have our reservations though with the part of Bajan culture that seeks to talk politics in general without referring to specific actions of specific persons. In seeking to not offend we most often accomplish nothing. Silence empowers wrongdoers and that is why the politicians are happy with the Bajan defamation and libel laws as they stand. If “Libel Chill” wasn’t invented in Barbados, it certainly should have been!
Barbados Free Press is non-partisan in that we attack both major political parties and more than a few other people too. One could say that we are an “equal opportunity attacker”.
Can Barbados Allegiance make a difference and keep reader interest without being specific against any political party, policy or person? We don’t know.
So good luck to Barbados Allegiance, but we hope after a few weeks we are not reminded of the bible verse that talks about “neither hot nor cold.”
“Welcome to a new political dialogue in Barbados. Our aim is to ensure that the public can discuss issues without the fear of their views being seen only as a support of one party position or the other. Over the years the debate of very important issues in Barbados has become muffled because of this fear. Our pledge is therefore to create a political environment that does not tolerate the expression of aggressive or sinister partisan positions.
There are many individuals of experience and learning in many areas who are afraid to make a contribution or to start a debate. Their motives are often questioned and often they decide that it is not worth the effort. This is a terrible consequence for a young nation. We deprive ourselves of the opportunity to share experiences and knowledge.
We believe that those individuals should be given a voice. Having discussions and indeed debates is the foundation of a democracy. Here we will seek to work in that great cause. We look forward to your support and your participation!”
… from the “Welcome” page of Allegiance – Barbados Political Thought & Action
In particular since this is a non-partisan political site we do not wish submissions that support or denigrate the policies, positions or personalities of any political party. ALLEGIANCE reserves the right not to publish such posts at its discretion.
… from the “Terms of Use” page of Allegiance – Barbados Political Thought & Action
Filed under Barbados, Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Politics & Corruption
Barbados In Focus considers our future
“This is a toast to The Independence of Barbados. But if I might add that we as a people of Barbados were mentally independent long before we broke the chains of colonialism in 1966. And we were equally free long before we were enslaved by greed. And like in those dark days there were those not of our persuasion who aided us in the quest for our physical freedom.
The same is true today, we have to as a nation, continue to better ourselves and uphold the freedoms of our brothers and sisters. Barbados is more than the sum of its parts. On that note I wish to give thanks to the place of my birth. Join me Barbadians of every denomination, no matter what part of the world you may be, in wishing Barbados a HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY.”
… from the website of Barbados in Focus
Comments Off on Barbados In Focus considers our future
Filed under Barbados, Culture & Race Issues, History
Barbados Customs Insanity: Officer demands child’s toy scooter must be licensed for the road!
Folks, you know what I’m talking about when I say it’s all about power, control and MAYBE that the mother trying to get her child’s Christmas toy out of Barbados Customs has a last name of “Persaud”.
Ya can’t make stuff like this up…
‘What yuh call dis ting? Ah scooter?’ asked Officer McBady
‘Yes. It’s a toy for my son.’ I replied.
‘Dis eh no toy. It have ah battery. Dis could go pon de road. Yuh cahn clear customs till yuh get a licence.’
‘It’s a toy. It can’t go more than five miles per hour.’
‘Man, dis battery have nuff power. I telling yuh dis could go pon de road.’ he repeated.
I sighed. ‘It can’t and he can’t. He is not using this except in our yard.’
‘Well it eh leaving here till it have ah licence.’
‘Okay. What kind of licence do you think I should get? A bicycle licence?’
‘No ah vehicle licence. And yuh go have to pay de 100% duty plus environmental fee, plus licencing fee, plus road tax plus handling and storage.’
‘It’s a toy!’ I yelled.
… read the entire incredible story at Ingrid Persaud’s Notes from a Small Rock blog
Filed under Barbados
Barbados Tourism: Adrian Loveridge and other Bajans ask many questions, but receive few answers
‘He (Geoffrey Roach, CEO of the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal) reported cruise ship passengers arrivals to be 760,000 for the last financial year, and projected a six percent growth in the next financial year’.
‘But he said passengers were spending less, as evidenced in a recent Florida Caribbean Cruise Association study which put the average spend per cruise passenger in Barbados at US$69, down from US$111 in 2006.’
From the Midweek Nation, Wednesday 23rd December 2009 ‘Cruise arrivals up, revenue down’
So despite the declared increases in cruise ship passenger arrivals, actual per capita spending is down by a staggering 38% or US$30 million for the last ‘financial year’.
I wonder if this US$30 million figure was factored in to the $100 million loss in tourism revenue recently quoted the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association?
So what measures to redress this situation have been put in place?
What investment has been made by the Barbados Tourism Authority and who is monitoring its cost-effectiveness?
Adrian Loveridge
23rd December 2009
Filed under Barbados, Barbados Tourism
Al Barrack: the man who knows too much?
The Al Barrack story gets stranger and stranger at every turn. (See our previous story: Al Barrack is wrong: Justice and the Law are not for everyone in Barbados)
The Government of Barbados owes him $60 million dollars plus due to a court judgement, but won’t pay.
Now we’re asked to believe that perfect strangers are going to pay off the Government of Barbados debt to Mr. Barrack and assume the $60 million judgement on the chance that the Government of Barbados won’t use the courts to delay payment for another 10 or 20 years.
Something is wrong here, folks.
Keltruth Blog asks the questions that our Bajan media should have…
Keltruth Blog: Will a Mysterious “Third Party” Pay Off Debt Owed By Barbados Government to Al Barrack?
Barbados Free Press 