Vendors in Port Lucaya took to the streets Friday May 13 afternoon to protest the new $30 fee the Our Lucaya Resort began charging tourists on Tuesday to gain access to the beach.
The vendors accompanied by labor activist Lionel Morley said their income has been suffering as a result of the resorts’ new policy.
He took a huge issue with the resort’s $30 fee pointing out that there should be free access to the beaches at all times, noting that Our Lucaya does not own the beach.
Morley said, tourists to the island should be able to enjoy the island’s natural resources of sand, sun and sea without a fare being attached to them.
Morley said that it is a shameful situation and noted that if guests are being moved from the area, the Port Lucaya area will eventually become deserted like the International Bazaar.
Elizabeth Wilson, a taxi driver and a small car operator marched with other protestors Friday declaring that small business persons are being hurt by the resort’s actions.
Wilson said that because of the new $30 fee Our Lucaya is charging she and other people suffering greatly.
She noted that if tourists want to use the resorts chairs and other amenities they can charge a reasonable price, but Our Lucaya wants to compare itself to Atlantis, when it does not have the attractions and amenities of the other hotel property.
The protestors got into a verbal confrontation with a security guard for the property who demanded that they leave, but they refused declaring that they were not on the resorts property as they were marching along the sidewalk.
A statement issued by Our Lucaya Wednesday evening noted that the resort intend to continue offering cruise ship passengers a $30 day pass option, which will allow them the opportunity to make use of all of the resort’s facilities.
“Visitors are welcome to experience all of Grand Bahama’s natural beauty and beaches at designated points of entry,” the statement said.
