Two major hurricanes couldn’t keep the good people of Grand Bahama down for long. Yesterday, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism made it official… “We Back!”
According to the press release, the Freeport International Airport, which was severely damaged after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, now has expanded operations to open from 6:00am until 10:00pm daily, with US Customs and Immigration pre-clearance available from November 1.
Flights are already arriving daily from Nassau and South Florida via Bahamasair, American Eagle, Gulf Stream/Continental Connection; AirTran Airways and Delta Connection daily from Atlanta; and Continental Express weekly from Newark, NJ. Other flights will resume shortly.
Although many of the hotels suffered damage during the storms, after an extensive repair period there are over 1,200 rooms available on the island and an additional 1,000 rooms willl be ready in December, with more anticipated to be completed by April 2005.
Thirteen of the fifteen time-share resorts and vacation clubs are projected to be fully restored by January 2005, the release added.
Attractions
The majority of the attractions and activities which were cancelled or suspended after the storms have resumed service including: Kayak Nature Tours, UNEXSO scuba dives and the Dolphin Experiences, the Perfume Factory, Port Lucaya Market Place (Shopping and Entertainment) and the International Bazaar. Sunset Village in Eight Mile Rock is available on Saturdays only.
Of Grand Bahama’s four 9-hole PGA rated championship golf courses only one is open for play at this time.
The Reef Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. will be complemented by the Lucayan Golf Course in December, 2004. Both the Emerald and Ruby Golf Courses are scheduled to re-open in April, 2005.
More than 350 marine slips are available to pleasure boaters at the Lucayan Marine Village, Port Lucaya Marina, Xanadu Marina and the Ocean Reef Yacht Club.
