SANDALS Royal Bahamian will not open to guests until November 1, the resort has announced.
The resort chain’s Exuma property, Sandals Emerald Bay, will open on July 1, the day the government plans to reopen the country for commercial flights.
Some observers have lamented the fact that Sandals’ Nassau property will remain closed for several months.
When contacted, Director of Labour John Pinder said hotels need to be more aggressive to keep their doors open and their staff at work.
“Normally the slow season in tourism is between September and the week before Thanksgiving. I am thinking that Sandals ought to, and employers in the tourism industry, need to be more aggressive in trying to put together some packages to get people to come to their resorts,” Mr Pinder said.
“Once these doors open, the people who have been stressed out over this whole COVID-19 issue, are going to come to us by the thousands and we have to be ready to accept them. So even though they might take a small hit, they should push their packages to get people to come to their resorts. I think the opportunity is there. There ought to be sufficient people who are ready to travel now so the economy is opened up and the airlines are back in business.”
Attempts to obtain comment from local Sandals officials were unsuccessful up to press time.
Meanwhile, Paradise Island resort Atlantis is gearing up for a July 7 phase one opening.
Comments
Hoda 4 years, 5 months ago
Will foreign workers employed be sent home?
tribanon 4 years, 5 months ago
Right now you could not pay the average North American leisure traveller enough money to put their life at great risk by boarding a densely packed plane or crowded cruise ship to visit The Bahamas. It's just wishful thinking to expect visitors in great numbers to come to our shores any time soon. The next few years will prove to be most difficult for overseas tourist destinations like The Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 4 years, 5 months ago
I don't think that's right. The news is already reporting people in bars, restaurants, salons. I think people will travel. They're itching to get away. The numbers wont be what they were and things will be rough but we'll get some.
But by December we'll know which of us was correct.
moncurcool 4 years, 5 months ago
Are they traveling outside their state or just assembling in their state?
My2Cents 4 years, 5 months ago
They’re assembling and roaming freely throughout their COVID-19 stricken state with thousands of active cases and hundreds of deaths. Many of them are certainly willing to and have indicated their interest in traveling internationally. Traveling to the 242 would likely be appealing given our extremely low number of active cases and deaths.
TalRussell 4 years, 5 months ago
The very first social financial assistance help offered by the Minnis's Imperialists' red shirts organisation back in March was to suspend all payment requirements for Work Permits. Just can't make this up. Just, can't. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
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