Tuesday, October 7, 2025
LinkedPrime

News from October 2, 2025

258 articles found

RCI unveils Royal Beach Club ferries
Technology

RCI unveils Royal Beach Club ferries

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) revealed on Tuesday in a press statement that its new fleet of water ferries, set to deliver guests to the cruise line’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, are at the Nassau Cruise Port ahead of the December opening of the beach club. The colorful ferry boats, called Flirty Flamingo (Pink), Sassy Starfish (Blue), Coral Calypso (Orange), Twisted Turtle (Green) and Lucky Lizard (Turquoise), will be operated by Bahamas Transport Logistics (BTL), a 100 percent, Bahamian-owned company, the statement said. “The playful names and vibrant colors embody the lively, fun-filled spirit that guests can expect to experience in The Bahamas,” the statement said. It added that BTL specializes in marine transportation and will own and operate the Royal Beach Club water ferry business. President of Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas Philip Simon said RCI has committed to providing an authentically Bahamian experience for its guests, with the beach club being run and operated by a 100 percent Bahamian staff complement. “These new vessels exemplify our dedication to operational excellence and innovation, seamlessly connecting visitors with the natural beauty and lively culture of The Bahamas from ship to shore,” said Simon. The statement adds: “From the moment guests arrive in paradise, they will experience the culture of The Bahamas across five water ferries, set to transform short-haul transfers by blending the efficiency of lightweight aluminum hulls with the vibrant spirit of the region.” The statement said the partnership with BTL reflects RCI’s commitment to including Bahamians in all aspects of the beach club project, and ensures that the Royal Beach Club ferries are managed by experienced professionals dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards and operational excellence”. According to RCI, the new ferries include advanced navigation and propulsion systems that will enable the most efficient movement of RCI guests to and from the Royal Beach Club. President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Michael Bayley told the media recently that the bookings for the Royal Beach Club are already “fantastic”, as the cruise line works to open the beach day excursion near the end of December. “The first Royal Beach Club continues to take shape in the coming months ahead of its opening in December 2025, and at the heart of the experience will be the island nation of The Bahamas,” Tuesday’s statement explained. “From the idyllic location to the Bahamian food, culture, staff and now the vibrant water ferries, the all-new beach club combines the beauty and spirit of The Bahamas with signature Royal Caribbean touches across the experience, service, and design.”

Chester Robards Senior Business Reporter
Corporate services firm sees 40% jump in business filings under CESRA
Technology

Corporate services firm sees 40% jump in business filings under CESRA

A corporate services provider has reported a 40 percent client jump in clientele as a result of businesses needing to file under the Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Act, 2023 (CESRA). Peter Cartwright, managing director of PDC Corporate Services Limited – which provides company formation, management, accounting, and fiduciary services for businesses and individuals – told Guardian Business that his company had filed 150 companies under CESRA up to the deadline on September 30. He said this is a significant jump for a fledgling corporate services provider with less than five years in operation. CESRA was passed on January 1, 2019 and amended in 2023. It seeks to ensure that commercial entities that are resident in the Bahamas for tax purposes, and engaged in any of nine specified relevant activities, have adequate substance in the jurisdiction. Those activities are fund management, insurance, banking, distribution and service center, shipping, finance and leasing, intellectual property, representing themselves as a holding company, or having a headquarters in The Bahamas. “I think we have seen a 40 percent increase year-on-year,” Cartwright said, adding that he expects a further uptick in business as a result of CESRA. “For the most part, we do realize and recognize that The Bahamas is still one of those favorable jurisdictions for foreigners wanting to do business,” he said. “Early on, there was this resistance to all this change, because it felt like we can become a bit too over compliant. But as a result of this over compliance, or these new compliance measures, we’ve been able to get off those gray and black lists. It was really just a strength in our AML [anti-money laundering] procedures to comply with international best practices.” He continued: What we did this year was we sort of helped the clients out in a bit, where we pre-populated some of the declaration forms requiring signatures... We changed the strategy a lot this year, and we’ve seen the fruits of that labor.” He added: “I would say the lion’s share of our filings came in the ninth hour. And that’s not just the local companies, but the international companies as well. No matter how early you start the process, you will still get those clients that prefer to take it down to the wire. But thankfully, we didn’t have any issues with the systems. My team and I were working up until about eight o’clock last night. We got all the filings done. The portal was stable, so that helps a lot too.” Cartwright thanked the Office of the Attorney General for getting the country off of the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list, and making compliance with the CESRA possible. “We’re actively looking at the changes the government is making in the legislation to enhance and strengthen our AML procedures, and we want to make sure we are in a position where we comply and ensure that our clients comply with these new requirements.”

Youri Kemp Senior Business Reporter
Strachan: New liquor establishment rules will rein in proliferation of bars
Technology

Strachan: New liquor establishment rules will rein in proliferation of bars

The new legislated rules regarding liquor seller operations will rein in the proliferation of liquor stores, which were “popping up all over the place”, acting controller of the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) Shunda Strachan said yesterday during an information session on the new rules for the media. Admittedly, she said, these changes will disrupt businesses and could call for establishments to be renovated to come into compliance with the new rules for liquor registration. Amendments to the Business License Act will change the way liquor businesses register with the Department of Inland Revenue, and will mean the end of drive-through bars, takeaway restaurants serving liquor, and establishments that sell liquor through “cages”. In June, Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal Keith Bell lamented the “oversaturation” of liquor stores in urban communities on New Providence, and spoke of plans to amend the Business License Act to reintroduce public consultations for new liquor licenses and the renewal of existing ones. Bell said that on East Street, for example, from Shirley Street to Robinson Road, a distance of less than two miles, there are 13 liquor establishments. He added that continuing south on East Street, between Robinson Road and Bamboo Boulevard – a two-mile stretch – there are another 19 liquor establishments. The draft guidance on liquor establishments explains the pre-certification process for all liquor establishments that will precede the granting of an annual business license. “In order to obtain or renew an annual business license, applicants must complete a registration process by submitting the prescribed application form, together with the supporting documents, and then obtain a certificate of registration,” the draft guidance explains. “Upon receipt of an application for a certificate of registration and payment of the applicable fee, the DIR shall make a thorough investigation to determine whether the applicant and the premises out of which the liquor business will operate, qualify for a license. “The registration process aims to protect public safety, uphold moral standards, and prevent unregulated and unsuitable methods of distribution. “An application for a certificate of registration will be denied if either the applicant or the premises for which a license has been applied, do not qualify for a license.” Establishments now how have to consider during their registration process if their owner’s criminal history checks out; if the premises are suitable for the sale of liquor; if there are adequate restroom facilities based on occupancy; if the building is in compliance with fire, safety, health and building regulations; and if the establishment has unobstructed sight lines for all areas where alcohol is served. DIR will ensure that no liquor establishment will be certified that is less than 700 feet away from places of worship, schools, residences and other liquor establishments. The guidance explains, though, that those requirements do not apply to full-service restaurants. Strachan said while DIR will enforce its own policies, it will depend on the Royal Bahamas Police Force as well. “We have a compliance unit. We have an investigations unit that will be also kind of pushed into to this new task,” said Strachan. “They will be going around and inspecting establishments. But also we have the Royal Bahamas Police Force that is actively working with us on this. “So, this is not just the Department of Inland Revenue’s initiative to manage. We have our partners out there, who we expect will also be assisting us. And then our best assistance will, of course, come from the general public.” While these changes will come into force when licenses are renewed at the end of the year, Strachan said establishments have until the end of March to become fully compliant.

Chester Robards Senior Business Reporter,Torrell Glinton
Previous 6 7 8 9 10 Next