Bahamas News

Even though much negative attention has been placed on the Bahamas since former PLP Senator Pleasant Bridgewater was charged in connection with an alleged extortion attempt against US Actor John Travolta and his family, National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest believes that its impact on the tourism industry would be minimal.

“I don’t think there will be lower tourist arrivals [as a result of the negative press] Mr. Turnquest said Tuesday. “I think this whole case has been put in a context now from The Bahamas perspective. Obviously it’s not a good feature for us and anytime The Bahamas is reported in a negative light all of us are affected in some way. But I think that most persons and travellers recognise that these things are isolated incidents.

“For example, I spoke to US Magazine yesterday and I think they were the first to break the story on-line and they have been carrying updates on-line and it was really important to put it [the allegations] in the proper context, and they recognised that this is an isolated incident and that The Bahamas is still a beautiful place to visit with beautiful people and will not be affected by it.”

The international media is expected to clamour in Bank Lane today to cover the arraignment of Pleasant Bridgewater who was charged in Grand Bahama last Friday for abetment to extort and conspiracy to extort.

Earlier this week Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames revealed that Grand Bahama police have a document in their possession that is allegedly being used to extort some $25 million from actor John Travolta.

Grand Bahama paramedic Tarino Lightbourne was also arraigned earlier this week for attempted extortion of $25 million from John Travolta between January 2 and January 20.

Meanwhile, Mr. Turnquest said as international reports begin to “spiral out of control” last Friday after Bridgewater was charged, the Ministry of Tourism in Nassau, Florida and New York liased with the Police in Grand Bahama to offer briefings.

“Many news [agencies] were reporting information without the facts and what we did…we asked ASP Marvin Dames to provide regular briefings from the police without compromising the case so that persons would not speculate outside of what are the known facts and that has been done since Friday night and think it has really worked in terms of putting the whole issue into context and into the frame that we really operate in in The Bahamas.”

Asked if The Bahamas would be able to recover from the negative press once the case draws to a close, Mr. Turnquest responded: “I think so. I think the rule of law in The Bahamas has always remained paramount. Everyone is able to prove their innocence or otherwise. We will go through that process and at the end of the day we will move on.”

Source: Bahama Journal