JUST OVER TWO YEARS years after Government legalised the opening of casinos and duty-free shops on cruise ships berthed in the Bridgetown Port, it is now moving to cut the time for applying for permission in half from two months to one.
It is one of a series of amendments to the Cruise Ships (Opening of Facilities) Act 2012 which is down for debate when the House of Assembly meets today at 10 a.m.
When the legislation, which took effect from October 1, 2012, was debated in the House, concerns were raised by the Opposition that the measure, which allows gambling and duty-free shopping in port from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., would be a toehold for the introduction of casino gaming on the island which has long since turned its face against that form of gambling.
Government denied any such intentions and insisted it was merely to raise visitor spend and benefit entities such as taxi owners and operators, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions by imposing the minimum 12-hour stay at the port.
Please read the full story in today’s Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.
