The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE government is "very close" to finalising a deal with the Four Seasons hotel group and Colombian billionaire Luis Sarmiento for a new resort in Eleuthera, the Prime Minister announced.

Speaking Saturday afternoon at a rally in Governor's Harbour, Mr Ingraham told the crowd he flew into Columbia to ink the deal.

"I was very pleased yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, as my final act with Cabinet in the Bahamas, to finally give the approval to the Sarmiento development at Cotton Bay," he said to raucous cheers.

He said the project was first conceived in the 1990s but did not make much progress as Dr Sarmiento wanted to buy more land but Mr Ingraham and the government would not allow it.

"I flew into Bogota, Columbia, met with Dr Sarmiento and we now have a deal," Mr Ingraham said. "The project has changed over the years but I'm happy to be able to tell you that we've very close to completing the final arrangements for the centre piece Hotel."

The hotel will be managed and operated by the "five star" Four Seasons Hotel Group, which previously owned the now Sandals Hotel in Exuma.

"The Four Seasons is very happy to operate in our islands. Previously in Exuma, when the owners of that property were unable to maintain it to Four Seasons standards, they were compelled to leave, but they have been looking for another opportunity to return to the Bahamas," Mr Ingraham said.

"We fully expect therefore that Cotton Bay and the Four Seasons will conclude their agreement and bring their quality hotel operator back to the Bahamas and on this island of Eleuthera."

Mr Ingraham's visit to Eleuthera was part of a full day tour of the Family Islands ahead of election day.

San Salvador, Cat Island, Eleuthera, the Berry Islands and Grand Bahama were all visited by the Prime Minister on Saturday.

He ended the day with a mass rally in Nassau at Clifford Park.