The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Atlantis resort expects to be at full occupancy for Thanksgiving weekend with bookings being driven by its Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, Kerzner International spokesman Ed Fields telling Tribune Business yesterday that the resort’s rates were up about 10 per cent year-over-year.

The Battle 4 Atlantis tournament, which is known to be the richest Division I men’s pre-season basketball tournament, is scheduled for November 22-24. The tournament is expected to generate an influx of hotel guests to the Atlantis resort, boosting the Bahamas’ attraction as a sports tourism destination.

“Fall bookings are strong with Battle 4 Atlantis being a significant factor,” Mr Fields told this newspaper.

Regarding occupancy levels at the resort heading into the Thanksgiving weekend, Mr Fields said: “Last year we were very close to 100 per cent. This year we are 100 per cent, and rate growth is up approximately 10 per cent.” These increases were being “significantly driven by the tournament”.

The pre-season tournament will be staged in Atlantis’ 3,900 seat arena. The tournament, which has been dubbed a basketball event like no other, will be aired on AXS TV and the NBC Sports Network. Four games are slated to be aired between the two networks.

The eight teams that will battle for victory include Duke University, the University of Louisville, the University of Memphis, the University of Missouri, the University of Northern Iowa, Stanford University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Harvard won the inaugural tournament last year on its way to the school’s first NCAA tournament berth in 66 years. The eight teams in the 2012 Battle 4 Atlantis field combined have more than 160 NCAA post season appearances.