The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Sandyport’s existing report has enjoyed a 14 per cent year-over-year occupancy increase for 2014 to-date, its developer yesterday telling Tribune Business: “We’re feeling bullish about Bahamian tourism.”

Garth Buckner, Sandyport Development Company’s president, said the hotel was “looking forward” to a strong Christmas and New Year period, after undergoing a “just under $1 million” refurbishment this year.

He added that the Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel was also set to reclaim its RCI Gold Crown award for the second consecutive year, and said: “It’s a good time to invest in development.”

“We’ve had a 14 per cent increase in occupancy year-over-year for 2014 to-date,” Mr Buckner told Tribune Business, disclosing that average occupancy rates at the Beaches Resort and Hotel had risen from 73 per cent in 2013 to 83 per cent for this year.

“We’ve got strong bookings for Christmas and the New Year,” he added. “We’re pleased with how the resort is coming along, and we’re feeling bullish about Bahamian tourism.

“The new airport, the super new roads and Baha Mar, Sandyport is well situated between those. We like the change we see in the market.”

Mr Buckner said that while most New Providence-based resorts and residential developments were focused on the high-end, luxury market, Sandyport Beaches Resort and Hotel was targeting the level just below - the “upscale” customer.

Explaining that the property would have been considered ‘three star’ under the old resort rating system, Mr Buckner said: “We’re really an upscale resort.

“Many of the new developments on the island are chasing the luxury market. Baha Mar is doing so as well. The traditional Bahamian market is an upscale market, and we’re seeing strong demand in that market.

“We’ve had increased employment at the resort due to the demand.”

The Sandyport president said the Beaches Resort and Hotel had “completed an extensive renovation” involving an investment of just under $1 million this year,.

The decor and kitchen areas in its 72 suites were re-done, with further upgrades involving landscaping and the pool area. And a new website, www.sandyportresort.com, has also been launched.

Mr Buckner confirmed that Sandyport continues to assess development options for the 12 acres sitting at its heart, against “the backdrop” of strong performance by its existing resort.

“We are looking at what we’re going to do next with the resort,” he told Tribune Business. “We think it’s a good time to invest in development, both in our commercial property and our resort.”

Mr Buckner previously told Tribune Business that the Cable Beach-based developer was exploring possible commercial, apartment and hotel development uses for its undeveloped 12 acres.

“We’re now 100 per cent leased on our commercial, and are looking at the next thing,” he added. “We’ve also been investing in residential since before the recession. We’ve been building residential properties, and the vacancy levels are very low.”