The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THe historic Bimini Big Game Club & Marina is already sold out for its upcoming third Wahoo tournament, its general manager telling Tribune Business yesterday: “It’s our biggest Wahoo event so far”.

Michael Weber said: “So far it’s our biggest Wahoo event. We have the hotel sold out. We have about 26 registered boats, and we still have another week for people to sign up.

“This is our third Wahoo Smackdown. The past two we were busy, but we never sold out. We have also had people calling us to be sponsors for it, which is nice.”

The Big Game’s Wahoo Smackdown III is scheduled for November 21-23. Mr Weber said the resort’s business heading into 2014 was “not looking too bad”,, noting that he had attended the recent DEMA dive show in Orlando, seeking to “drum up” business.

“Things are not looking too bad. The DEMA dive show in Orlando was excellent for us.” he added.

“The fact that the group level at the show is very strong, and now that we’re promoting the cruise ship coming over, it’s inexpensive for groups to come here.

“The dive industry is not exactly an industry with a lot of money, so they’re looking for inexpensive ways to travel and come to the island. It was an added benefit for us to promote the cruise ship.”

Back in August, the 51-room resort and 75-slip marina, owned by the Southern California-based Hankey Group of Companies, reported that it was having a healthy 2013 with a 12 per cent seasonal increase over 2012 based on room occupancy and food and beverage earnings.