The Christie administration is not the only one excited over the pending renovation and reopening of a major Grand Bahama hotel property.
The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) yesterday said the signing of a Heads of Agreement between the government, Hutchinson Lucaya Limited and Canadian-based Sunwing Travel, “epitomizes the good that can be accomplished through strategic partnerships.”
The agreement calls for Hutchinson Whampoa to renovate and reopen its 503-room Reef Village, which will be leased and operated as a five-star, all inclusive resort by Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts.
The planned upgrades coupled with the introduction of airlift from the Toronto area along with its related marketing are expected to create hundreds of jobs for Grand Bahama residents.
Describing the Sunwing Group as a ‘total package of tourism services’ – hotel, tour operation and airline management – Port Authority officials are excited at the potential to tap into the North American market, especially on the eve of the winter season when many Canadians seek warm vacation destinations.
“This tourism related project with its various synchronized components will have a significant impact on the local economy,” Grand Bahama Port Authority Chairman, Ian Fair said in a statement yesterday.
“In harmony with the Ministry of Tourism’s vision to increase the number of ‘heads in beds’, such concerted efforts will definitely contribute to an increase in our stop-over visitors, with positive results for hoteliers and so many other sectors such as the airport, restaurants, tour operators, taxi drivers, straw and souvenir vendors, entertainers, car rentals and so on.”
Alluding to cooperation between the government, Hutchison and GBPA, Fair further pointed out that the ongoing success of such partnerships will continue to create benefits for Grand Bahama’s residents and improve its economic environment.
Wednesday’s Reef Village signing follows closely on the recent opening of Solomon’s at the Seahorse Shopping Plaza, a $4million investment that created 60 jobs; and last week’s opening of Grand Bahama’s first indoor mall and food court, offering employment for an additional 150 residents.
“There is clearly a positive trend developing on Grand Bahama, which augers well for the future,” Mr. Fair said.
