This would bring the total number of jobs provided by his group to more than 10,000.
Mr. Kerzner made the announcement yesterday at his exclusive Ocean Club Resort during the official groundbreaking for the $600 million phase III expansion.
But he also blasted the government over the state of the Nassau International Airport, calling it “the worst airport in the world.”
“I’ve been in discussion with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Tourism and various other ministers and I’m sure they’re tired of me saying it, but it has to be said,” Mr. Kerzner pointed out.
“We have a wonderful destination and wonderful people, but we have about the worst airport in the world. And this is not a new development, but this is something that existed from since we first got here,” he said.
He further indicated the difficulty Kerzner executives have in moving ahead with the development without first seeing some sign of improvement at the airport.
Despite those reservations, Mr. Kerzner reiterated that the company’s total investment of $1.7 billion in the Bahamian tourism product, particularly in the existing economic environment, is a clear example of the commitment Kerzner International has to The Bahamas.
“Quite frankly I don’t think there’s any company in the hospitality industry today that would undertake, in the present environment, a development of this size,” he said. “I think that talks volumes for the confidence that we at Kerzner have in the country, the government and the people.”
Prime Minister Perry Christie in his remarks acknowledged that substantial improvements would have to be made, and in fact, have already been planned for NIA.
Mr. Christie pointed out that one of the first enhancements to be made at NIA would be improving the airport’s management.
“It is our considered view that the management at the Nassau International Airport will necessarily involve the assistance of an outside company well known for its management expertise as it is now in place in other places throughout the world,” Prime Minister Christie said.
He continued, “The Bahamian public can readily expect in the not too distant future for my government to be addressing publicly the necessary improvements that must take place at the Nassau International Airport beginning first with strengthened management.”
Enhancements at the airport would also include improvements to the runways, buildings and structures as well as aesthetic upgrades and improved functionality, Mr. Christie said.
Another shortcoming in need of quick attention, Mr. Christie said, is the level of traffic congestion in New Providence. He pointed out that improvements to the flow of traffic would provide benefits for tourists and residents.
“We have considerable problems associated with traffic to and from the Nassau International Airport and we are giving consideration to how we can ensure both for Bahamians and for visitors that there is a maximum enjoyment through their movements by vehicular traffic through our island,” he said.
Crowds of senior Kerzner and government representatives were on hand at Ocean Club for the groundbreaking.
Mr. Kerzner said phase III will transform the famed Atlantis Resort into a vacation experience “that would be unlike anything anywhere in the world.”
Wednesday’s groundbreaking was only a symbolic exercise, however, as construction on the three additional luxury villas at the Ocean Club has already begun.
“I was amazed when I came across here on Sunday afternoon and I saw that all the foundations were in,” Mr. Kerzner said. “It just shows the pace at which this project is proceeding.”
Foreshadowing the resort that would exist at the completion of the expansion, Mr. Kerzner said the property would be unique among other resorts throughout the world.
“I do believe that with the opening of the new hotel, which will include even greater water attractions and rides, [that] will probably do more for Atlantis, Paradise Island and also for The Bahamas as a destination than phases I and II did,” he said.
Construction of the new 1,200-room hotel is expected to begin in the last quarter of 2004, Mr. Kerzner said.
The phase III development will take place in two stages, phase III-A and phase III-B.
Phase III-A will comprise the expansion of the Ocean Club Villas, the Marina Village and construction of a fire and ambulance station.
Phase III-B will include the new hotel and facilities, the new golf course, utilities and infrastructure upgrades and the expanded attractions, including the hotly-debated dolphin attraction.
Completion of the phase III-A construction is scheduled for December 31, 2005 and phase III-B by the end of 2007.
Caption: Prime Minister Perry Christie receives a sliver shovel from Sol Kerzner, Chairman of Kerzner International, at the groundbreaking
By Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
