Grand Bahama is being re-engineered with a major resort set to re-open as a new brand for The Bahamas by the second half of 2013, said Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.
The Government concluded negotiations with Butch Stewart, Chairman, Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma and his team in early November 2012, said Minister Wilchcombe during the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace press conference at Atlantis, Wednesday, January 9, 2013.
The negotiations “ensures the resort not only survives and overcomes the ‘early days’ business challenges but gets repositioned in terms of cost infrastructure and other measures, to thrive moving forward,” the Minister said.
“We are also pleased with the strategic partnership we have developed with the Genting Group, developers of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina with a new ferry service commencing this spring between South Florida and Bimini.”
The Tourism Minister also noted that the international media invited to the CHTA Marketplace will be able to get a glimpse of some of those destinations as there are pre and post Marketplace trips scheduled for them to Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma and Grand Bahama.
Nassau and Paradise Island, the country’s anchor and hub destination, will remain most competitive with plans to expand its airlift being phased in to ensure the successful launch of what is the largest new resort development in the free-world in Baha Mar, Minister Wilchcombe said.
Director General, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, David Johnson; Director General and CEO, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Alec Sanguinetti; President, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, Stuart Bowe and Executive Director, Bahamas Hotel Association Frank Comito were also in attendance.
Mr. Bowe explained that this is the second consecutive year that The Bahamas is hosting the Marketplace.
By Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services
