The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – WITH plans set for major resort developments in two northern islands, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed that he is also optimistic about other Family Islands.

The government has announced that the Genting Group and the Sunwing Travel Group are expected to open multi-million dollar world-class resorts in Bimini and Grand Bahama.  

While in Grand Bahama, Mr Christie said: “My optimism has materialised in Bimini and it has materialised in Freeport, and I can tell you starting next week why I am optimistic about other islands because the intention, for me, is to create centres of economic activity in the islands of the Bahamas.

“The whole idea is a compelling urgency to revive the economy and create new jobs (for Bahamians),” he said.

On Bimini, Genting will partner with RAV Bahamas to launch a $24 million Resorts World at Bimini Bay. It would also comprise a 10,000 sq ft luxury boutique casino.  

On Grand Bahama, a five-star hotel will be reopened at the Reef Village property in Lucaya. A new casino, with two speciality restaurants and a wedding centre, is also planned.      

Prime Minister Christie said he wanted go into 2013 in a much stronger position. He said his government was making efforts to make the Bahamas a more competitive destination.

He believes that Sunwing can bring to Freeport a product that is lacking and in demand in the marketplace.

“Sunwing, I think is really a big thing because these people have their own promotion company, they have their own tour company, and they have their own aircraft, so they have the complete package.

“So when they agree to do something, you know it’s a must. They are going to be coming in and when they come, they are going to have a mighty impact.”

Sunwing takes 300,000 people now every year to Cuba, and 100,000 to Jamaica, Mr Christie said.  

“So you can expect that they are going to put a lot of effort in bringing people to Grand Bahama, and they have a proven track record in doing that,” he added.

“So you see, this is a new day, a new beginning, and we are going to continue to work hard because the people here need it.

“I promised all those thousands of people who stood before me during our campaign that I was going to work very hard - it’s happening now.”

Grand Bahama’s economy has been struggling with high unemployment.  Some 1,000 permanent jobs and hundreds of construction are expected to be created through the refurbishment and opening of the 503 room resort.

“I am not going to fool myself to feel that my work is done in creating a 1,000 jobs, and those jobs that are going be created indirectly.

“I know we have a lot of work to do. We have been meeting with existing companies and with new companies, and I am optimistic.

“I always believed that the success of Grand Bahama was to focus on entertainment. And we are going to be interested in incentivising that and making it happen.

The Prime Minister said the Bahamas must be prepared when Cuba opens up.

“The Bahamas must anticipate what its competition must be, and yes, one of the decisions we have to make is what happens when Cuba liberalises and when Cuba opens up.

“We have to be prepared for it and that is why you will find that I have a dedicated commitment to causing developments to take place in our islands and incentivising the developments,” Mr Christie said.