Tourism Minster the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe on Thursday expressed delight over the decision by New Hope Holdings to pump an additional $10 million in new resort construction at its Lucaya-based property. Minister Wilchcombe, a Grand Bahamian and Member of Parliament for the West End and Bimini constituency, was participating in a Press conference launching the new venture.
Also participating were New Hopeﾴs chairman, Mr. Erik Christiansen, and Grand Bahama Port Authority chairman Mr. Edward St. George, whom Minister Wilchcombe described as "a diligent worker" for Grand Bahama Island and The Bahamas as a whole.
Minister Wilchcombe also referred to the efforts and social involvement of Mr. Christiansenﾴs partner, Mr. Arne Petersen, who was killed during a robbery at his home in February.
Minister Wilchcombe thanked New Hope Holding Company for delivering on its promise to assist in the economic and social development of The Bahamas. He said that with the assistance of firms such as New Hope Holdings, Hutchinson Whampoa and the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the island of Grand Bahama is on the rebound, "and, in my estimation, geared towards becoming the leading destination in this country."
"In fact," he added, "the standards are certainly higher, and (they are) the standards that we are hoping to adopt throughout The Bahamas, because you have done exceptionally well here."
He said the Ministry of Tourism "has a commitment to Grand Bahama."
"I have said before, and I repeat it now," he said, "that I have always thought that the ministry did not exercise its full potential in Grand Bahama, nor did it offer the sort of assistance that is required to cause Grand Bahama to move and to become as competitive as New Providence has been.
"With our new approaches, and the fact that we have put in place Mr. David Johnson, who is leading the Grand Bahama tourism team, we are now moving in a direction that is very positive."
Minister Wilchcombe said that Mr. Johnson has been working "extremely hard," and that his ministry will spend additional funds to assist in the promotion of Grand Bahama.
Likewise, he said, it is his ministryﾴs desire "to develop and forge closer relationships with the hoteliers on this island."
"We want to see the sort of relationship that we
ﾠﾠbelieve will cause this development to continue, the surge to continue, and (we hope) that we can do things as partners," he said.
Minister Wilchcombe said the Ministry of Tourism, with its continued promotion for Grand Bahama, plans to attract major events to the island. These initiatives would be done with the assistance of the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, the Grand Bahama Port Authority and hoteliers.
"It is imperative for us to work together," he said. "If we do not work together, I believe that the entire effort would be in vain."
He said the efforts of Mr. Christiansen and New Hope Holding "send a very strong signal, send a very strong message that there is confidence in this island, that Mr. Christiansen and others have confidence in Grand Bahama, have confidence in The Bahamas."
He assured the investor of the full assistance of his ministry in helping to make the venture a success.
"And so, Mr. Christiansen, thank you very much," Mr. Wilchcombe said. "The only person missing today is Arne Petersen, and I am sure that in his honour this is being done. We do remember him, and again we thank him for his efforts and for having the confidence and making the contribution to the development of our economy."
The new $10-million investment by New Hope Holding at the former Lucayan Bay property represents the second phase in the development of the Pelican Bay complex, which already has a 90-room hotel and 48 suites. Plans call for the construction of an additional 48 luxury one-bedroom units which, along with the current suites, will be known as the Pelican Bay Suites. The development will also include a 50-person meeting room, a swim-up pool bar featuring gourmet cuisine and a new entranceway.
The only all-suite resort on Grand Bahama Island, the Pelican Bay Suites are a standout on Bell Channel in Lucaya. They complement the adjoining 90-room Pelican Bay at Lucaya resort.
Both properties hold the "Small Treasure" designation awarded by the Ministry of Tourism. The Pelican Bay property boasts a distinctly European architecture with wide balconies.
Mr. Christiansen said they have designed the buildings to resemble private homes of a close-knit village from the 18th century. The various buildings have separate roofs and are painted in different colours.
The Pelican Bay property at Lucaya is just steps away from the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the Underwater Explorerﾴs Society.
By Simon Lewis, Bahamas Information Services
