NASSAU, Bahamas — Prime Minister Perry G. Christie said the Government has continued to collaborate with the owners and operators of Atlantis, the nation’s largest private sector employer and most prominent resort which affords continuing, high level awareness of this destination in the marketplace.
During his Contribution to the 2012/2013 Mid-year Budget Statement in the House of Assembly, Monday, March 18, 2013, the Prime Minister said he could not underscore sufficiently the contribution that Atlantis continues to make to the Bahamian economy.
He broke down the economic impacts:
Current Direct Employment – 8,187
The indirect Employment impact of Atlantis extends to:
1. Outsourced functions such as retail concessions, spa, transportation and contract cleaning.
2. Construction and Development Jobs.
3. Employment generated outside of the resort by the spending of Atlantis visitors on local transportation, shopping, meals and excursions.
4. Jobs created as a result of the purchases of Bahamian goods and services to support Atlantis operations.
Prime Minister Christie said, “When factoring in the additional jobs being created by suppliers, service providers and contractors, Atlantis is responsible for the creation of a total of at least 16,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Prime Minister said Atlantis’ continued commitment to capital improvements and projects has resulted in a steady stream of construction related jobs and compensation.
“Over the past 12 months over $35,000,000 has been spent on Capital Expenditures. Where construction is concerned, over $11 million was with local contractors providing over 260 jobs.
Prime Minister Christie said, “The 2013 Capital Expenditure Budget has been established in the amount of $42,000,000. A significant amount of the construction will go to local contractors.” He explained that the resort has developed a strong partnership with the Bahamian community, exhibiting commitment to its social responsibility.
“Since 1993, over $27 million has been given to Charities, Park and Green space Development, Beach restoration, Junkanoo, Sporting Organizations, and Hunger Programmes, training in Culinary and Hospitality, Independence and Hurricane Relief at a rate in excess of $1.5 million dollars per year.
The Prime Minister said, “As an industry leader, Atlantis is extending sports betting in its Casino and has been given permission to introduce mobile gaming on its resort premises.
“Atlantis will be well poised to take advantage of the new cutting edge games and revised, modernized casino legislation which will be introduced in Parliament shortly, making The Bahamas more competitive with major casino jurisdictions.
Update on Paradise Island Harbour Resort Prime Minister Christe updated the Parliamentarians on the Paradise Island Harbour Resort on Paradise Island, which was a victim of the Lehman Brothers financial collapse.
He said it has been struggling to remain in business for some time, with the attendant threat of loss of many jobs and room inventory.
“Recently my Government has approved the purchase of this hotel by the well-known Warwick Hotels, operators of businesses and resort hotels in the U.S., Europe and the Pacific. The new owners are now planning extensive renovations of this entire property which should be completed by the winter season.
“We welcome this substantial new investment and the addition of the Warwick brand to our tourism product,” the Prime Minister said.
By: Llonella Gilbert
Bahamas Information Services
