The FNM is once again calling on the government to come clean with the Bahamian people about the Tourism Development Fund and the tourism levies that have been collected in their name with no public accounting.
When the Davis-Cooper administration introduced new tourism levies, including the tourism environmental levy and the Tourism Enhancement Levy, Bahamians were told these measures were necessary to support tourism development, environmental protection, infrastructure upgrades, and cultural preservation. These were not presented as general revenue measures. They were sold as dedicated funds, tied to specific national priorities, and justified on the basis of transparency and public benefit.
The tourism environmental levy has been in effect since January 2024 and is paid directly to the Tourism Development Corporation. Yet, more than a year later, there has been no public reporting on how much money has been collected, how much has been used.
As the government is collecting money in the name of tourism development, then the Bahamian people have a right to get a full accounting. These are the Bahamian people’s tax revenue and Parliament must be given a full breakdown of the amounts collected and for all related expenditure. There is no justification to withhold this basic information.
I have already called on the Deputy Prime Minister to table the relevant financial documents related to the Tourism Development Corporation so the country can see, clearly and in black and white, what has been collected and how it has been spent. His response was that this information would be provided “in due course.” That is not an acceptable answer.
This administration has developed a troubling pattern of governing in the dark rather than in the sunshine. Time and again, funds are created, levies are imposed, and entities are established, but the basic information needed for public oversight is withheld.
The government must now provide clear and immediate answers to straightforward questions:
- How much revenue has been collected through the tourism environmental levy since it took effect?
- How much has been deposited into the Tourism Development Fund?
- What specific projects have been approved or funded, and which islands and communities have benefited?
- Why has no public report, audit, or expenditure breakdown been released?
- Where can the Bahamian people find the published listing of all procurement contracts done by the tourism Development Corporation over 25,000 as required by these under section 5 of the Public Procurement Act?
The Office of the Prime Minister publicly claimed that these levies would “go back into the country so entrepreneurs will benefit from it, and the redevelopment of tourism will benefit from it.” That promise demands proof. Which entrepreneurs have benefited, where are the projects, and where is the accounting?
These are questions of trust, accountability, and basic financial stewardship. Tourism is the backbone of our economy, and Bahamians supported these levies because they were told the funds would be used responsibly and transparently to strengthen the country we all depend on.
Until full disclosure is provided, the Tourism Development Fund will stand as yet another example of a government that demands public confidence while refusing public scrutiny.