A grand opening day affair had been announced for Saturday November 1, after March and July opening dates were retracted.
Reportedly, resort executives have been less than happy with the state of the Exuma International Airport and a potentially undesirable impression on its anticipated well-heeled clientele.
In an interview with the Nassau Guardian last night, a manager, who preferred to remain nameless, said that the five-star facility will definitely be opening on November 23.
He said that previous delays were “construction-related”.
The 219-room spaciously-designed resort, already has its full complement of line staff οΎ– some 380 people, nearly all of whom are Bahamians, with about 70 per cent from New Providence. Conversely, its management team is only 25 per cent Bahamian, comprising 45 foreigners and 15 Bahamians.
The resort “justified” its 3:1 foreigner-to-Bahamian manager ratio to the “need” for persons with extensive Four Season’s training and experience to train Bahamians. It spent $35,000 on two recruitment drives earlier this year, and has undertaken a massive training campaign to ensure that all of its employees are up to the world-renowned Four Season’s standard.
Knowing The Four Season’s brand and level of professionalism, many had speculated that the postponed opening date was due to the island’s poor infrastructure, including an unreliable, limited transportation system and the shoddy condition of the Exuma International Airport.
The source reiterated that the delays were construction- related and said that even though the repairs at the airport are still not complete, the property would be opening on the new date set, with or without an upgraded infrastructure.
Cavalier Construction Company was contracted to carry out the repairs at the airport and is expected to have them completed by the end of the year.
The management source admitted that the dilapidated condition of the airport, now essentially a construction zone, would certainly not create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and that their first experience may not be a positive one if the airport is not completed by Christmas.
The resort is already holding many reservations, it was stated.
The manager said the airport was supposed to be completed to coincide with the opening of the property but it did not appear that that would be the case.
By Mindell Small, The Nassau Guardian
