THE commissioning of a new speed ferry to Bimini and the opening of the Resorts World Bimini Casino was praised by Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday for showing the confidence of the developers in both the Government and the people of the Bahamas.
The integrated project is being facilitated by Florida developer Gerado Capo through his company RAV Bahamas Ltd and the Genting/Resorts World Group, a leading international resort, gaming, cruise line, agriculture and energy conglomerate based in Malaysia.
Speaking at the opening of the casino in Bimini, Prime Minister Christie confirmed Resorts World’s further and broader involvement in the long term leasing and management of the resort.
The opening of the Resorts World Bimini Casino actually started in Miami earlier that morning, when the Prime Minister along with his wife Bernadette christened a new cruise ship “Superfast VI”.
The vessel with a capacity for up to 3000 passengers will operate daily between Miami and Bimini with a ferry time of two hours beginning next week. The capital costs to Resorts World associated with the acquisition and introduction of the cruise ferry services is some $95 million. Prime Minister Christie added that following environment approval, Resorts World will also build at its expense a deep water jetty and terminal for a cost of some $10 million at which the Superfast VI and two mega yachts will dock. Until the dock is completed later this year, the developer has acquired two large catamarans to be used as tenders. The cruise ferry is expected to be a comfortable, and inexpensive (under $50) mode of transportation to Bimini for both tourists and residents of Bimini. The hope is that this will ensure a steady influx of guests to support revenue streams, and affordable transportation for the people of Bimini.
Resorts World will bear the initial costs of upgrading airport facilities and paving and upgrading streets, lighting, landscaping and a general community clean up.
“Some 400 new direct jobs are being created this year alone, as well as numerous entrepreneurial opportunities which Biminites are urged to plan for and embrace,” said the PM.
Mr Christie said the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas has formed the company Bahamas Hotel Corporation Tourism Services (Bimini) Ltd, which will operate Resorts World Bimini Transportation and water sports activities. The people of Bimini will be offered shares in this company.
Comments
BiminiHomeowner 10 years, 10 months ago
Genting should have been made to finish the upgrades to the Government dock in Alice Town, which Bimini Bay was supposed to do years ago but never did. Then figure out how big of a boat they can get into that dock (likely at least a 500+ passenger fast-ferry), and purchase 2-3 of these boats, rather than the one huge cruise ship.
Bimini's landscape would be kept in tact. All of this controversy would have been avoided.
And they'd probably save millions of dollars.
https://www.change.org/petitions/prim...">https://www.change.org/petitions/prim...
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
Genting DID finish the upgrades at the Government dock in Alice Town and they also are rebuilding the infrastructure of the airport and the entire dock terminal. They also just invested $100 million in a cruise liner that will bring 3,000 visitors per day to Bimini, from Miami. This is a godsend. They are now going to establish an airline to bring vacationers to the Bahamas. Our future Bahamian economy might depend on these investments. We should all be greatfull.
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 10 months ago
Mr Christie said the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas has formed the company Bahamas Hotel Corporation Tourism Services (Bimini) Ltd, which will operate Resorts World Bimini Transportation and water sports activities. The people of Bimini will be offered shares in this company
SERIOUSLY?!?!? Our government will run watersports in Bimini?
What exactly does the PLP mean when they say believe in Bahamians? Offer it out first! If you get no response then let the government do it.
Damn man!
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
The government will not be running any concessions. Get real. I'm sure Genting will have their own vendors and others will eventually set up shop in Bimini to service all of the new visitors.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago
it means the PLP,S old hack ,WEECH ,will get a cut of all land and watersports ,,,and the small man will get jobs and basically be paid by the taxpayer b/c all the real dough will never make it back to the treasury
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 10 months ago
Tribune!!! You guys need to an article on this. Our government will be running watersports!?!? Are we serious? We're gonna let our government run parasail? Or scuba diving excursions? Someone is gonna get killed......
nortongaming 10 years, 10 months ago
I'm surprised that Genting chose Bimini for their casino resort rather than West End, Grand Bahama. West End is also close to Florida's coast, but has a landing strip, a golf course, a marina and hundreds of existing hotel accommodations. Although as the resort was originally a Butlin Holiday Camp, many of the rooms may not be suitable for today's travelers. I doubt that West End residents would show the same opposition to a dock, for the Genting ferry boat. Since Genting will be competing with existing casinos and slots at race tracks and jai-alai frontons, they would benefit from having more amenities for their expected visitors.
thomas 10 years, 10 months ago
Accoring to the US news, praise for the ferry is premature... it has failed inspections... can they get anything ight?
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
This is the biggest and best thing to ever happen to the Bahamas. Bimini was bust until the Capo family had a vision to build an island paradise only 45 miles from Miami. Now Genting will finish developing the island - and employ nearly everyone on Bimini. Two of my cousins already got jobs at the Resorts World Bimini resort, and they have both been unemployed for 5 years - like everyone else on Bimini. The development will we a boon for the Bahamas and U.S vacationers.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 9 months ago
PLEASE PGC STOP POSTING ,,,
kg89 10 years, 9 months ago
I think all of this is a bit much for little island like Bimini..would be more suited for a more developed and populated island like Exuma.
Envirotech 10 years, 9 months ago
I love to gamble but there is no easy way to get to a nice casino. I won’t go to the Indian casino anymore and I can’t stand to go the the parimutuels. It’s nice to finally have another option that allows me to take a quick and cheap gambling vacation.
CarolJones 10 years, 9 months ago
Genting is investing almost a half billion dollars into the small island. The Bimini standard of living can't help but go up.
There is no good place to gamble in Florida. We only have the indian casinos or the parimutuels. With the Bimini casino only 45 miles away and only $49 to get there, I don't think many Floridians will be going to Vegas anymore.
dana 10 years, 1 month ago
This new casino is going to help boost up the local economy, the craze for casinos has reached an all time high. However, online casinos are too gaining huge popularity, not just gambling but also for lottery games too the virtual field is gradually becoming a popular choice. For instance, at https://megawin.com/">MegaWin.com, you could play popular lottery games online.
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