Prime Minister Perry Christie along with a delegation of his cabinet ministers was on a tour of the $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort property yesterday.
The Bahama Journal understands the tour was personally conducted by Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirilian.
The press was initially invited to attend however when the Bahama Journal arrived, the team was told that it was “a private tour.”
Some of the ministers alongside the prime minister included Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis among others.
Recently Baha Mar announced that it had to delay its December 2014 opening.
In a letter leaked to the press last month, company officials confirmed to employees that a “preview session” will begin at Baha Mar in December leading up to the grand opening in the spring of next year.
No specific date has been given.
Baha Mar Senior Vice President of Government and External Affairs Robert Sands told the Journal that what’s happening at Baha Mar should not be “characterised as a delay.”
“It brings more clarity to what we already have in the public,” he said last month.
“Baha Mar will commence previews in December going into spring culminating with our grand opening in late spring. This has no impact on employment which continues. A preview means we will have invited media, influences, friends and family coming to the resort starting in December.”
A letter sent via email announcing the setback to Baha Mar employees was leaked to the press in August.
“We expect to have the full Baha Mar destination resort open for our guests in late spring 2015,” it read.
“A project of Baha Mar’s scope takes time, talent and people. We are in the process of determining what areas will open at specific dates between December and the grand opening celebration. We’re working through the details with our partners, and expect to know more by October.”
The multi-billion dollar resort will include a 100,000 square foot casino, an 18-hole, 72-par Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, an ESPA at Baha Mar Spa and more than 12 pools.
Officials have said the resort will hire around 4,000 employees prior to opening.
