April 17, 2021
After more than 60 years, the Chamber of Commerce’s duty-free facility at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), no longer considered a viable business, has “permanently” closed shop at the end of last month, the business association said Friday.
From the start of April, the Customs and Excise Department had assumed full responsibilities for the airport’s duty-free services, the chamber said in a statement.
A duty-free facility opened at the then Seawell Airport in 1959 with the passage of the 1958 Drawback of Duties on Sales of Goods to Tourists Regulations.
The facility provided services to local duty-free retailers on behalf of the Customs and Excise Department, specifically the handling of duty-free packages purchased by travellers, as well as the processing of volumes of third schedules (triplicate invoices) under the drawback regulations scheme.
BHTA extends condolences to family of veteran hotelier Hamish Watson
Article by February 27, 2021
The Chairman, Board of Directors, Secretariat and Membership of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) wish to extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of tourism industry veteran, Hamish Watson.
We are truly saddened by his passing and take this opportunity to pay tribute to his invaluable contribution to Barbados’ tourism sector and the Association.
As a long-standing member of the BHTA, Hamish served in numerous roles including Board Member, Chairman of the Training Committee and Chairman – Luxury Group, amongst others. He was a keen supporter of our various events and activities and was always ready and willing to volunteer his assistance and expertise.
People whose homes were affected during last week’s raging fire at the Crane Resort were feeling a little disappointed after management informed them that the hotel would not be cleaning their homes. However, following enquiries from the MIDWEEK NATION, management had a change of heart and said yesterday evening that cleaning services would be provided for residents from today. The fire occurred last Friday night, damaging the St Philip resort’s …
It was a close call for the Haynes family in Olive Drive, Crane, St Philip, yesterday as the laundry and storage rooms of the neighbouring Crane Resort caught ablaze after 5 p.m. Just before 6 p.m., residents were seen removing the contents from Trevor Haynes’ four-bedroom house while thick plumes of black smoke blanketed the air. Loud explosions could be heard occasionally from 7:27 p.m.,as scores of onlookers gathered at …
UPDATE: 7am
The Barbados Fire Service control has confirmed that the scene at The Crane Resort is secured. With situations like this, not that it will happen, but if any rekindle happens the Fire Service will respond. But for right now, the scene is secured.
UPDATE: 9:15 pm
Speaking to the media with Deputy Fire Chief Henderson Patrick by his side, he said: At present, the fire is contained, not yet under control but it is contained, so basically it is not spreading to any other property at this point.
On further investigation, the fire was not involving any chemicals as was initially thought. And despite the billowing black clouds of smoke that rose above the Crane and Cave Land in St Philip, the Fire Chief said that based on observations there was no need for an evacuation of residents in the environs.