Kerzner International’s Atlantis resort is the “defining investment” of the Bahamian tourism industry according to Prime Minister Perry Christie who yesterday threw the full support of his government behind the company and its leadership.
Speaking at a special ceremony to mark the half-way point in the construction of the Atlantis Phase III development, Mr Christie said that company president Sol Kerzner and his son Butch have made an “irrevocable commitment” to the country and that Bahamians have invested a great deal of hope in the Kerzners.
“It is important for me to tell my countrymen that our country has had the good advantage, a distinct advantage of having Sol Kerzner come the Bahamas,” he said.
Mr Christie said the success of the Kerzners is responsible for “the new level of confidence” that other investors have in the country.
He said it is important for local and international observers to understand that his government does not sign long-term agreements with developers based on the technical and legal provisions of their proposals alone – but also because of “good faith, the certain knowledge of the parties we’re dealing with.”
“And that is why it is so critical to me to know that I was able to inherit the constitutional governance of the country and the next day sit down with Sol Kerzner on behalf of the Bahamian people, and no one even blinked.
“That was because those who preceded me developed a relationship that doubtless I will pass on to others who will follow me whenever it is my time to move on,” Mr Christie said.
Phase III of Atlantis is described as a milestone in Kerzner’s ongoing bid to revolutionise the resort destination industry.
The company celebrated the occasion in style yesterday on the site of what will be a 600-room all-suite hotel when it opens in April 2007.
The gathering of Cabinet ministers, members of the clergy and special guests was treated to a performance by Grammy Award winner B B Winans, who performed with a Bahamian choir.
Addressing the guests, the ļ¾ prime minister compared Sol and Butch Kerzner to the legacy of “defining personalities” in Bahamian history such as Sir Harry Oakes and Lyford Cay developer E P Taylor, who made the irrevocable commitment that this is their home.”
He then congratulated both men on being granted permanent residence in the Bahamas. Mr Christie continued: “Now, you may ask the question: why is Perry Christie so effusive in his praise of the Kerzners?
“One need only travel in the region and look at developments there, then come back to the Bahamas, and feel good for what is happening here.
“One need only ask the question of how many Bahamians are employed on this site – and there are 7,000. And if you were to project fast-forward to the completion of the new experience and this new all-suite hotel, you’re talking about in and around 10,000 Bahamians employed on these premises.
“That in itself means the country – and this is perhaps the point I’ve come to make today as the prime minister of our country – our country has placed a great deal of reliance in the continuity of the vision of Sol Kerzner.
“The country has placed a great deal of resources behind the Kerzner organisation.
“And much more important than all of those – the country has invested a great deal of hope, as we look to the future, in this organisation.
“It is paying great dividends for our countrymen,” Mr Christie said.
During the ceremony, the Phase III project was blessed by Christian Council president Dr William Thompson, and ended with the release of three white doves, by Sol Kerzner, Butch Kerzner and Prime Minister Christie.
The, main focus of Phase III are two new resort towers. The all-suite tower will soon be joined on the horizon by a 495-residence condo-hotel that will feature custom interior amenities “and a range of living spaces from studios to two bedrooms,” the company explained in press statement.
The statement said that the new towers will also offer a fitness facility, world-class concierge services and private access to two pools overlooking the ocean.
“This exclusive new experience will not simply continue the legend of Atlantis – it will immerse guests in new luxurious accommodations, new attractions and a new standard for distinctive resort destinations,” the statement said.
Speaking to The Tribune about the Phase III project before the ceremony, Sol Kerzner said: “We’re laying the foundation for something very significant for the growth of tourism in the future.
“There is nothing like it in the world – it will have attractions that have never been done anywhere before. I am very excited.”
Also included in Phase III is the creation of a new, 48-acre water-scape to complement the existing system of pools and lagoons, as well as a new dolphin encounter attraction.
Yesterday’s ceremony was followed by a tour of the ninth floor of the suite hotel, which will eventually have 21 floors.
Every suite in the hotel will have an ocean view, including those on the first floor, thanks to the designer’s decision to elevate the suite levels above the lobby area.
Mr Kerzner told The Tribune that Phase III represents a “huge challenge” because of the scale and complexity of the project.
He said this challenge has been met admirably by the Bahamian workforce.
According to Mr Kerzner, 80 per cent of the workers on the site are Bahamian, and they have done a “remarkable job” that could rival the performance of any construction team in the United States or anywhere around the world.
He pointed out that the project is not only benefiting the workers but also the more than 3,000 new trainees that will be taken on by the company. “One way or another, its all very significant,” he said.
In his speech to the gathering, Mr Kerzner said: “I just think this is a great credit to the country and to its people. In many ways, this is what we are all about.”
“We are all about the people” he said, explaining the company could not succeed without people, “whether it is on construction, whether it is on delivering the quality of service, the hospitality and the warmth that visitors enjoy.”
“I want to take this opportunity of thanking all of our people from the top management, top execs, our folks here on site, and just everyone for the commitment that they have to the company, to the project, to Atlantis and the Bahamas.
“There is no way that the tourist industry can strive in any country unless it has the backing of government and people,” Mr Kerzner said.
By Paco NUNEZ, The Tribune
