The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian organisers behind this weekend’s World Relays yesterday said that while initial figures were still being compiled, they expected to meet their targets through a “quite significant” economic impact.

Lionel Haven, managing director of the local organizing committee (LOC), told Tribune Business: “Overall I thought that things went very well. We as event planners would have a different perspective than, say, the attendees.

“We are engaged today and over the next few days in conversations about things we could to to improve the event. The general perspective was that it was a fantastic show, and people got to see a great event.

“Right now we are in the process of compiling our figures in terms of hotel room nights, revenues and that sort of thing. By Wednesday of this week we should at least have some initial figures on that.”
 Mr Haven added: “I think we are going to meet all of our targets. I think we did quite well. We had projected 1,100-1,200 persons coming in in terms of participants and other persons involved, in addition to persons who were coming in to view the event.”

He told Tribune Business previously that the LOC had estimated 3,500 to more than 5,000 room nights from the athletes and delegates alone.
 “I think that the overall economic impact would have been quite significant. You also have to consider the significant level of exposure that this event gave us,” said Mr Haven.
 Several Bahamian hotel properties reported high occupancies for the Memorial Day weekend. Jermaine Wright, director of operations at the British Colonial Hilton, said: “We are currently experiencing positive occupancy levels. With a variety of international weddings and local social events, our catering/events, business is also doing quite well.”
 While Tribune Business was unable to reach management at SuperClubs Breezes, the resort was said to be experiencing high occupancies during the Memorial Day weekend as it served as the official athletes village for the World Relays.
 George Markantonis, president and managing director for Brookfield Hospitality, said Atlantis resort had seen a decent Memorial Weekend with occupancies in the mid-80 per cents, boosted by two mini-concerts.

Patrick Drake, general manager Sandals Royal Bahamian, told Tribune Business: “This particular weekend is good overall for us. Through June, however, things are looking a bit soft. We are expecting to see a slow down in the next four to six weeks.”

Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel enjoyed 100 per cent occupancy levels through accommodating race, timekeeper and other IAAF officials.

Vernon Moss the hotel’s general manager, said: “We always do very well and our occupancy has continued to rise over the years. In fact, we are having an excellent year so far with 5 per cent year-on-year growth in occupancy.