The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

MAJOR resorts on New Providence are looking to capitalise on a “busy” US Memorial Day weekend, one resort manager telling Tribune Business yesterday that occupancy levels would be in the mid-80 per cent range.

  Sandals Royal Bahamian general manager, Patrick Drake, said the all-inclusive couples resort was seeing a traditional three to four-night pick-up in bookings.

“It’s pretty steady,” he said. “For the Memorial Day weekend we are sort of in the mid-80’s, but we go down right after. We are seeing a three to four-night pick-up, if you were to consider  from Thursday to Monday as the true holiday, which is a sort of trend for us. We are seeing those sort of three to four-night stays. It’s definitely helped us without a doubt.”

The British Colonial Hilton’s director of operations, Jermaine Wright, said the resort was expecting a busy Memorial Day weekend.

“We are projecting high occupancy levels.  Our recently enhanced leisure facilities continue to position us effectively to ‘tap’ into the lucrative leisure market,” said Mr Wright.

Speaking on the hotel’s $1 million beach club, Mr Wright added: “We have recently completed the final component of the amenities offered to members.  Our newly-renovated Ocean View fitness centre is now open. 

“Access to this state-of-the-art facility is limited to our hotel guests and members of the British Colonial Hilton Beach Club.  The Fitness Centre includes Precor gym equipment, a multi-use aerobics area for private classes, along with changing rooms, showers and lockers.”

  While attempts to secure comment from Atlantis executives on the resort’s occupancy levels during the US holiday weekend were unsuccessful up to press time, the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Classic - its first ever official LPGA tournament - to be held at the One & Only Ocean Club on Memorial Day weekend had been expected to generate more than 4,000 room nights.