Concerns Over Safety And Economic Impact

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MONTREAL, CANADA – While in Montreal for the ongoing Global Sales Mission, Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, Chester Cooper, responded to questions about the escalating crisis, now that America and Iran are launching air strikes against each other.

But choosing to remain out of the fight doesn’t lessen the impact for The Bahamas.

Targeted American air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities have drawn retaliatory strikes on U.S. airbases in Qatar and Iraq.
Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, Chester Cooper, confirmed to Our News that there are at least two Bahamians currently trapped in Qatar.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism, Investments & Aviation
“I do know that we have two young Bahamian women who are studying in Qatar. They are at the Qatar Aeronautical Academy. They have reached out to us about being evacuated. Despite our best attempts, the airspace is now closed, so they are going to have to ride it out and follow the emergency orders. We are in touch with them. They are in good spirits, they are not in harm’s way, but they are naturally concerned and anxious about the next few days.”

Even ahead of Monday’s strikes, the airspace was closed to Qatar and other countries—and that means no airlift out of that region.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism, Investments & Aviation
“We’ve spent a lot of time and resources nurturing Middle Eastern markets. And of course, many of the Far East, India, etc., connect through Dubai to come to this side of the world. So there’s definitely going to be some interruption in travel and some impact on the overall economy.”

There’s also potential impact on fuel and gas prices, with Iran now threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for at least 20% of the world’s oil and gas movement.

Chester Cooper – Minister, Tourism, Investments & Aviation
“We know that when there is uncertainty, people tend to travel less. We know that when there is a disruption in connectivity, there is disconnection. As well as disruption in terms of travel to The Bahamas, as well as disruption in supply chains. And disruptions in supply chains, in the normal routes of traffic of shipping or air cargo, etc., result in increased costs and increased costs of shipping and travel trickle down to the consumer.”

The minister admitted that the government has tried to cushion Bahamian consumers from these external shocks by lowering VAT, removing it from some items, and by looking for alternative and new supply markets, along with programs to increase wages and create opportunities to boost income.

This sales mission also serves as a way to tap into potential new tourism business in the Canadian market.