Categorized | National News

Local Company Negatively Impacted By Baha Mar Delay

A local company is counting its losses now that Baha Mar has pushed its 2014grand opening date back by another few months.

Bahamian owned Bahamaren on Sunday issued a statement expressing disappointment that the multi-billion dollar Cable Beach resort will not swing open its doors to guests until late spring 2015.

According to Baha Mar President Tom Dunlap, the company is working through the details with its partners and expect to know more by October.

But Bahamaren CEO Latrae Rahming, said while he and his company support Baha Mar’s decision to ensure that its product meets the demands of its guests, the resort’s delay – from a China perspective – will translate into the “complete lost of a major tourism peak season for Chinese travellers.”

Several months ago, Bahamaren partnered with China Travel Service to boost The Bahamas’ position in the outbound China tourism industry. The idea was also to expand Bahamaren’s reach in China and other key, high growth markets.

China Travel Service was actually expected to begin preparing summer packages for Baha Mar’s anticipated December opening coupled with the Chinese New Year’s Festival.

The company had agreed to charter three flights into The Bahamas from China during its 2015 New Year’s celebrations.

“Baha Mar’s delay slightly affects our competitive advantage as the tourism sector requires more world class tourism offerings,” Mr. Rahming said.

“Bahamaren continues in its perspective that Baha Mar will improve quality, product choice, skills and infrastructure that will be needed to maximise and sustain economic value as a tourism destination.”

Despite the setback, Mr. Rahming assured that his company will continue an unprecedented level of cooperation between the tourism stakeholders and the government to address the barriers to industry growth in regards to China.

“We are convinced that our research and data has confirmed that China’s economic growth will create new business opportunities for Bahamians,” he said.

“Bahamaren will strengthen our strategy to ensure consumer understanding, a dedicated airlift and travel distribution, and a China tailored marketing campaign focus on the niche markets in the Bahamas. It is imperative that our strategy maintains its relevancy to harness a unique opportunity to drive the demands from China.”

Seemingly unfazed by mega resort’s delayed grand opening, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe on Friday told the Bahama Journal that the new date coincides with The Bahamas’ peak tourism period.

Baha Mar’s expected to begin previews in December. At that time, it will invite the media, friends and family to visit the resort, dubbed the Bahamian Riviera.

Written by Jones Bahamas

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