With record-breaking numbers and exciting projects coming online, things just keep getting better for Bahamian tourism.
For the first time, The Bahamas received more than five million visitors in 2004, an increase of 8.9 per cent over 2003. And Grand Bahama saw 729,632 visitors, a 15.7 per cent increase over 2003.
"This year Grand Bahama will break one million for sure," said Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, a man intent on making The Bahamas the world’s premier holiday destination.
Tourism is the world’s biggest business, with more countries looking for a share of the market all the time. To keep The Bahamas ahead of the game, Wilchcombe is in his office before dawn on most days and is always willing to talk about improving the nation’s top industry.
More flights, less cost
With visitors more concerned about the ease and expense of travel, The Bahamas has increased airlift into and out of the country and welcomed a number of low-cost carriers.
In November of 2004, low-cost carrier Jet Blue Airlines introduced a daily non-stop flight between New York and Nassau, offering round trip fares of less than $200. The airline plans to introduce a second daily flight to Nassau starting in July 2005.
In December, Song Airlines, a division of Delta, chose The Bahamas as its first international destination, with service between New York and Nassau.
Spirit Airlines began daily flight service between Fort Lauderdale and Nassau on January 10, 2005, and added another daily trip in February. Speaking on the need to increase service, Spirit’s CEO, Jacob Schorr, said, "Customer response has been so strong to our Nassau service that this second flight became a necessity."
In addition to the new low-cost carriers, American visitors will soon have greater access to the Out Islands.
In December, 2004, Continental began daily flights from New York to Freeport. On February 17, 2005, Continental began service between Fort Lauderdale and Andros Town, Andros, with four round-trip flights a week. It is the first link between the US mainland and Andros.
Continental will also increase service from Fort Lauderdale to Eleuthera and Exuma, with daily flights into George Town and Governors Harbour. Service from Fort Lauderdale to North Eleuthera and Abaco is also expected to increase.
In December, 2004, US Airways launched a weekly direct flight between Charlotte, NC, and George Town, Exuma. After landing in George Town on the inaugural flight, Michael Pewther, US Airways’ director of customer service, told reporters: "Our customers tell us where they want to go, and Exuma has been high on the list."
Expanding the market
In February, 2005, China granted The Bahamas "Approved Destination Status," making it possible for groups of Chinese citizens to travel to The Bahamas. Only travel by individual citizens and families was possible before.
In addition to making travel easier, the status makes it possible for The Bahamas to open offices in China to promote visits.
Another priority for Wilchcombe is drawing more visitors from the Latin American market. He said he has been communicating with government officials in Argentina and Brazil to make it easier for South American citizens to get the paperwork they need for a Bahamas trip.
Continuing his plan to expand the tourist market beyond the typical cruise ship and stop-over visitors, the minister has plans to put a number of incentives in place for the many boaters who come to the country to fish, dive or simply spend a few days anchored at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
He would also like to concentrate on the wedding and honeymoon sector, upgrading the facilities in place and advertising directly to couples.
But the minister said his biggest focus is the people who make up the tourist industry. Though the products and accommodations offered are getting better all the time, he said, most important is the commitment to service.
Product development
At press time negotiations were under way for the purchase of the Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino and the Nassau Beach Hotel from international hotelier Phillip Ruffin. The government-owned Radisson Cable Beach & Golf Resort was also for sale.
Atlantis, Paradise Island, is in the midst of a $1.075-billion dollar expansion that will include a 600-room all-suite hotel and a 400-room condo hotel, both firsts for The Bahamas.
Plans also include a water park, marina village, an extension to the exclusive Ocean Club property and the second phase of Harborside, the resort’s timeshare development.
Out Islands developing
With more than 700 islands and 2,000 cays, there are always new places to see in The Bahamas. Early in his administration, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced his intention to develop at least one major "anchor" investment on each of the most populated islands. With new development and expansion in nearly every part of the archipelago, the plan is coming together.
In Grand Bahama, a 15-part feasibility study is under way for development of Moon Bahamas, a mammoth undertaking by RJH Holdings.
RJH chairman and Moon Bahamas creator, Michael Henderson, intends to build five man-made islands off Grand Bahama’s north coast. The islands will support development on a scale never before attempted, including a casino, wine cellar, mega yacht marina, artificial reef and 12,000-suite hotel, all intended to be the largest ever built. The plan includes a monorail, four PGA golf courses, ten cruise ship terminals and 50 restaurants.
The project is expected to be completed in 2010 with estimated profits topping $33 billion.
Since the opening of the $300-million Four Seasons Resort in November 2003, visitors to Exuma have more than doubled from 13,989 in 2003 to 32,615 in 2004.
The 470-acre development offers 183 rooms, a full-service spa and health club, a par-72 championship golf course designed by Greg Norman, convention rooms for up to 500 people and a 45-acre deep-water marina that can accommodate vessels up to 200 feet. A 6,000-square-foot casino is expected to open this year. And for those who want to stay year round, private condominiums are available for between $2 million and $4 million.
Plans are under way for a $243-million eco-sensitive resort at Crab Cay, Exuma, that will include 54 upscale residences, a 20-room villa and a state-of-the-art marina.
Rapper and celebrity Sean "P Diddy" Combs has purchased property in Exuma with plans for a resort, Minister Wilchcombe said.
There is so much development and interest in Exuma that the government may have to consider blocking further construction.
With a grand opening planned for this spring, the $160-million Abaco Club at Winding Bay opened for business in December, 2004. The latest venture by British entrepreneur Peter de Savary, the 520-acre property features the world’s first tropical links-type golf course, bonefishing and deep-sea fishing facilities, a spa and fitness centre, 60 homes, 70 cottages and 21⁄2 miles of beach.
Nature tourism
There are also plans to expand the Wild Horses of Abaco project, which protects one of the world’s most endangered breeds. The Abaco Barbs, a strain of the critically endangered Spanish Barb breed, have lived in The Bahamas since Columbus’ expeditions to the West Indies in the 15th Century.
There are now just 12 remaining Abaco Barbs, zealously protected by American sailor and conservationist Milanne Rehor, who moved to The Bahamas after she learned of the herd’s plight 13 years ago.
Visitors can take part in a daily tour, which includes time with the horses and plenty of space to hike or go birdwatching.
Wilchcombe said the ministry is ready to work with Rehor to expand the site as an attraction/learning centre.
Small-island development
Phase one of the $70-million Bimini Bay Resort development is now under way and includes a 410-room luxury hotel, small casino, 1,080 condominiums and 440 homes. There are also plans for an 18-hole, links-style golf course and a marina with the capacity for 150 pleasure vessels. Wilchcombe said the resort will "bring a brand new image for Bimini".
Developers of Hawk’s Nest Resort and Marina on Cat Island are planning to attract guests of a permanent nature; developers are building 30 homes and doubling the size of the marina. Construction for the development, called Heritage Landing, is under way.
Manager Diana Riley said that in addition to installing a reverse osmosis system that will provide all of the property’s water, they will add 28 slips to the marina. The four-star resort on the southern tip of Cat Island maintains a private airstrip (certified for 3,100 feet) within walking distance of the 450-acre property. Guests often fly into the resort for a few days before taking off for another island, Riley said.
In Harbour Island, Eleuthera, construction continues at Valentine’s Resort and Marina. A waterfront restaurant was to open in spring 2005, and 46 new condominiums were expected to be ready by the end of the year. With space for yachts up to 160 feet, the 39-slip marina is the largest in Eleuthera and features wireless internet access.
On the main island of Eleuthera, the $40-million Governor’s Harbour Resort and Marina is under way on the site of a former Club Med property. The project includes plans for a spa, villas, hotel condos and marina. Work began after Philadelphia businessman Eddie Lauth III signed a Heads of Agreement with the government in April 2004.
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