Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister Cooper pays respects to the late Mr. David Knowles
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper signed the Book of Condolence and paid last respects at the Lie-in-State of Mr. David Knowles, former Parliamentarian and President of the Hotel Union, on Thursday, November 17, 2022 in the Foyer of the House of Assembly. Mr. Cooper also greeted the family members. A State-Recognized Funeral Service for Mr. Knowles will be held on Friday, November 18, at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, and will be broadcast live via ZNS Radio Network. Interment will follow in the church’s cemetery.
DPM Cooper tours Downtown Nassau
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) the Hon. Chester Cooper toured areas of Downtown Nassau, with senior Government officials from his Ministry and Royal Bahamas Police Force officers, on July 21, 2022. It gave him the opportunity to interact firsthand with various Bahamian tourism stakeholders, including artisans, taxi drivers and transportation providers, stall workers, musicians, downtown police officers, and tourists. Among those with Deputy Prime Minister Cooper from his Ministry were Acting Director General of Tourism Latia Duncombe; Deputy Director General Dr. Kenneth Romer;Global Relations Consultant/Sr. Advisor Senator the Hon. Randy Rolle; and Executive Director of the Tourism Development Corporation Ian Ferg...
Deputy Prime Minister Introduces Corporate Social Investment Initiative Administrative Committee
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper officially launched the Corporate Social Investment Initiative Administrative Committee, responsible for administering funds from licensed Gaming Houses in The Bahamas. The launch, which commemorated 100 years of Gaming in the country, was held on Sunday, July 17, 2022 in the Bimini Room at Baha Mar Convention Centre. Also present was Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis. “One hundred years of Gaming is a landmark achievement. Collating all of the history and material and facts that came together over the century to lay the foundation for the thriving Gaming destination, of which The Bahamas is today, is a fantastic feat,” said the ...
Industrial action by Airport Authority union members not good for Tourism, says Minister
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper said that industrial action is not in the best interest of the tourism industry, which is on the rebound. He was responding to industrial action taken on Monday, July 18, 2022, by members of the Bahamas Public Services Union employed by the Airport Authority. He lamented the fact that the prime minister has met on several occasions with the union president but yet it has staged industrial action. “It is most unfortunate that they have taken these actions. We do not believe that they are in the interest of tourism. We are making a significant rebound in tourism and this could cause somewhat of a setback, and it is regrettable that they would jeopardize interests of the...
MOTIA holds General Staff Meeting
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation held a General Staff Meeting, July 14, 2022 at Baha Mar Convention Center. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper brought remarks. Deputy Prime Minister Cooper is pictured with his Executive team, from left: Valerie Brown Alce, Snr. Director; Erica Ingraham, Snr. Director; Bridgette King, Snr. Director; Paul Strachan, Snr. Director; Karen Seymour, Snr. Director; Dr. Kenneth Romer, Deputy Director General; Latia Duncombe, Acting Director General; Greg Rolle, Snr. Director; Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Chester Cooper; Senator Randy Rolle; Leslie Norville, Snr. Director; Anthony Stuart, Snr. Director; Reginald Saunders, Permanent Secretary; Andre Miller,...
DPM Cooper and Minister Moxey open the Pelican Point Coconut Festival, East Grand Bahama
PELICAN POINT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper says the coconut has become a $14 billion industry worldwide. He pointed out that coconut water has become a major industry around the world and has become a part of the healthy lifestyle initiative and the bark of the coconut has been used to make jewelry and other souvenirs. “So, with a festival like the Coconut Fest, Pelican Point and East Grand Bahama can establish its own economy,” said Minister Cooper, during the opening ceremonies for the annual Coconut Festival, which was held on Monday, July 11, 2022, as part of the Independence celebrations. “That’s why festivals like this are important and critical to communities like Pelican Point and...
DPM Cooper Announces Elimination of Travel Health Visa
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper has announced the elimination of the Travel Health Visa, effective Sunday, June 19, 2022, a further streamlining of COVID-19 entry protocols for travelers. He made the announcement during his Contribution to the 2022-23 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. This comes on the heels of the announcement that the pre-departure testing requirements for air travelers entering the United States were lifted as of June 12, 2022. However, the vaccination requirement for non-US citizens and non-US resident travelers remains in effect. Deputy Prime Minister Cooper also stated, however, that COVID-19 testing remains in effect, prior to entering The Bah...
Comprehensive tourism initiatives outlined in 2022-23 Budget by the Deputy Prime Minister
NASSAU, The Bahamas – A total of $2.5 billion in investments, infrastructural upgrades to Family Island airports, and increase in visitor arrivals were outlined by the Hon. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation in his 2022-23 Budget presentation. He made contribution to the debate in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. “In terms of investment, which goes hand-in-hand with tourism, we have already restructured the National Economic Council. This has already reaped significant results,” he said. The deputy prime minister also revealed that the transformation of the Bahamas Investment Authority has begun, and the finished product will be called InvestBahamas. It will be launched in September 2022. “I want the Bahamian people to ...
