By CHESTER ROBARDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net
SANDALS admitted in a press release issued late Friday that its Emerald Bay, Exuma property is facing “severe difficulty in continuing operations.”
Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed last week that the property has been struggling to be profitable and that its owners “could lose it.”
However, amidst concerns that the resort could close its doors at any time, Sandals said only that it is “enthusiastic” about continuing in the Bahamas, and that the deficiencies with its operations can be turned around.
“The difficulties we are facing can be solved with a determined resolve and a prompt and creative
approach to ensure sustainability,” said the company’s release.
Among the problems faced by the resort in Exuma are high utility costs, airlift to the island and a lack of trained talent on the island, according to the release.
“The cost to operate the facility is proving to be unsustainable,” Sandals said.
“The highest utility costs we face as a hotel chain, limited airlifts to the island, the continuing need to subsidize airlifts, high fuel and transportation costs added to a series of costs associated with overcoming the limited pool of trained professionals on the island, are some of the factors which have made the resort unsustainable.
“... the unusual level of input costs make doing business there almost impossible, especially during a time of economic downturn.”
Sandals said it is not looking for a bailout from the government. However, it stated that it is looking to the government for whatever concessions can be offered that would help the Emerald Bay property become sustainable.
“What we have done is to put the situation squarely to the Government and asked them to investigate ways in which they can work with us to bring some respite to the impossible economic environment we are facing in the Family Islands,” the Sandals release said.
“So far, we have been encouraged by the response of the Government which recognizes the problems as well as the need for Government and investors, such as Sandals, to work together to arrive at a model to enable quality sustainable tourism to operate and grow in The Bahamas.”
Sandals said it has worked hard to market Emerald Bay and Exuma by bringing the first scheduled jet service to the island and has positively impacted Exuma’s economy since opening two years ago.
“We have invested heavily in airlifts, including the introduction of the first scheduled jet service to the Exumas, as well as enormous marketing of a little known destination,” Sandals said.
“The Exumas and the people, are among the most beautiful on earth, with little or no crime and an atmosphere next to paradise.”
Comments
maryann 12 years, 1 month ago
YET AGAIN SANDALS IS TRYING TO GAIN SYMPATHY FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE BAHAMAS . WITH THEIR POOR RECORD ON THE WAY THEY TREAT THE BAHAMIAN WORKERS WHO WAS FORMER AND NOW PRESENTLY WORKING AT THAT RESORT.. SOME MONTHS BACK THEY WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR SUCCESSES OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHEN MOST OTHER PROPERTIES WAS FEELING THE EFFECTS OF THE RECESSION ,SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEM ? IS IT THAT PRESSURE BEING BROUGHT ON THEM TO UP THE SALARIES OF THE BASIC $4.50 PER HOUR OR WAS THEY TOLD TO REPLACE THOSE FOREIGN WORKERS THAT IS SO IN LARGE AMOUNT AT THE HOTEL WITH BAHAMIANS? IS THAT THE REASON FOR THE SUDDEN OUTCRY BY SANDALS?
concernedcitizen 12 years, 1 month ago
bad foriegners ,bad bad foriegners ,why don,t they all pack up and leave us to starve ,,,lmao ,,,maryann why don,t you ask PGC ,He was going to whip them into shape when he was campaigning ,now he seems to be singing the sandals tune ,,,,now the judge in exuma holds a closed court ,every week theres 3 to 4 of us in there for theifin at the resort ,,sandals needs the jamaicans to watch us ,butch is just giving perry the news lol
tourist 11 years, 11 months ago
One day, so the story goes, a Bahamian painter came to Mr Murphy and complained that his American counterpart’s salary was higher than his. Not one for argument, Mr Murphy told the Bahamian that he would divide one wall of the hotel in half — one half to be painted by the Bahamian, the other by the American. If the Bahamian could keep up with the American and do as good a job, he would be immediately put on the same salary as the American.
They both started — same paint brush, same paint, same type ladder — the contest was on.
By noon the Bahamian gave up. He went to Mr Murphy: “Boss,” he said, “I give up, yer right, I’s only a four shilling a day man.
I believe that Sandals just wants their employees to be good, productive employees, regardless of where they came from. Just because they are local, that doesn't justify paying a wage for no performance.
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