According to Travel and Leisure Magazine, the world’s #1 travel magazine, Eleuthera, Bahamas, is among the top five up-and-coming destinations to visit in 2006, along with Montenegro, Minneapolis, Mongolia and Gabon.
This information was revealed on Monday, January 2nd, 2006, during an interview on the NBC TODAY Show, between Laura Begley, travel and Leisure’s Senior Editor and NBC’s Matt Lauer, co-anchor for the TODAY Show.
According to Begley, Eleuthera was chosen because of its amazing white sands and beauty.
“Eleuthera is this amazing island full of white sands and beaches. Beautiful,” said Ms Begley, “And the big news is that a lot of luxury hotels are opening up this year, including one from Starwood, which is going to be an eco-sensitive resort owned by Bahamians.”
In response to the good news, Franklyn Wilson, Chairman of Eleuthera Properties, said that the entire team is pleased that the leaders of world tourism are already beginning to recognize that the re-launching of Cotton Bay is something special.
He also added that several other international travel magazines have also published promotional articles on the 1,500 acre South Eleuthera project, which is scheduled to be opened in December, 2006.
“We are particularly pleased that this Bahamian-led project is serving as a catalyst for the resurgence of tourism at Eleuthera. We also want to again challenge other Bahamians , especially persons from Eleuthera, to take advantage of the many economic opportunities that result from this and other projects that will be coming on stream within the next year term,” said Mr Wilson in a press release.
The $300 million Cotton Bay Villas, Eleuthera, a member of the Starwood’s prestigious Luxury, is being constructed in two phases. Phase One, which will open in December 2006, will consist of 52 oceanfront units, a 26,000 sq. ft Clubhouse with full amenities, and a private marina.
Completion of Phase Two is scheduled for December, 2007 and will include additional villas and the buildout of 114 estste lots. Future phases of the high-end resort include an 18-hole championship golf course, a wellness centre/spa, additional real estate development, and the expansion of the marina.
In July 2005, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world, announced that Cotton Bay would be added to its Luxury Collection, making it the first Bahamian property to earn this distinction. Starwood operates over 750 properties in more than 80 countries around the world.
Source: The Nassau Guardian
