The Tribune

BY NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Nassau resorts have reported that bookings and occupancy levels have only been minimally impacted by severe winter storms which have slammed the northeastern US, and resulted in a record number of flight cancellations.

One general manager told Tribune Business that while the weather has had some impact, it had not been “dramatic”. Winter storms have reportedly caused more than 33,0000 flight cancellations for the first three weeks of January.

Patrick Drake, general manager of the all-inclusive Sandals Royal Bahamian property, told Tribune Business: “There has been some impact. We have had no shows. I wouldn’t say we have had cancellations because they may come at another time.

“We also have guests who are staying two to three days after their normal checkout time, so the weather has had some impact. I wouldn’t say that it’s been dramatic.”

George Markantonis, Brookfield Hospitality’s president and managing director, told Tribune Business that Atlantis, which this past weekend hosted the second-annual Pure Silk-Bahamas Ladies Professional Golf (LPGA) Classic, had not seen any negative impact from the winter storms.

“We haven’t had any negative impact from these storms. Hopefully they are encouraging guests to come and enjoy some ‘rays’ right here with us,” said Mr Markantonis.

Jermaine Wright, director of operations at the British Colonial Hilton, told Tribune Business: “We have not experienced significant cancellations, and continue to project high occupancy levels over this traditionally busy period.

“Minimal guest flights were cancelled during the recent winter storms which affected multiple states in the US.”