George Markantonis, Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas said that Atlantis is aiming to expose their guests to more of the Bahamas, including locations not on Paradise Island.
During a press conference he said, “We encourage people to leave their hotels and go and see the sights.
“There have been some improvements happening on Bay Street that will continue to happen. I think people are very pleased with what happened for instance on Potter’s Cay.”
Markantonis noted that Kerzner International is involved in the restoration of Monatgu Beach and has committed $1.2 million to restoring the beach to its former glory, including the fort at the western end.
Markantonis also addressed the planned Baha Mar resort, saying that Atlantis does not fear the competition and that “the mega-resorts will co-exist” as long as there is increased airlift and improved infrastructure.
“I mean obviously we’re concerned when there’s a flood of rooms coming onto the market but it’s not concern and panic as much as it is concern about what we all need to do – ourselves, Baha Mar, the promotion boards – to make sure our infrastructure is ready to absorb all these additional rooms.
“Baha Mar is going to have the same concerns that we have and we still are quite a Goliath here.”
To offset the impending increase in hotel rooms on New Providence government and tourism officials are focusing on cultivating new tourist markets – particularly from Latin America.
