The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Prime Minister Perry Christie officially opened the Memories Grand Bahama Beach and Casino Resort in Lucaya on Monday evening.

He is confident that the Sunwing Group – a leading resort and tour operator and travel company with an airline – will revitalise tourism in Grand Bahama.

“What you are witnessing here today signals a real renaissance in Grand Bahama tourism,” he said.

Attending the opening were Mrs Christie, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Sir Baltron Bethel, and a number of prominent residents in Freeport, including Sir Jack Hayward, and Sarah St George, principal owners of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. 

Mr Christie reported that Grand Bahama is projected to earn nearly $60 million in the first year as a result of the partnership formed between the government, Sunwing, and Hutchison.

He noted that the 34,000 airline seats from Canada, and the 66,000 from the USA, will result in a total incremental seats of 101,000 to Grand Bahama.

The Prime Minister said it represents a projected increase of 71,000

passengers or some 460,450 visitor nights.

“Tourism earnings from this new traffic should amount to some $57 million,” he reported.

Mr Christie said from November through April 30, Sunwing Airlines, will provide weekly non-stop jet service using their 189-seat aircraft from six gateways in Canada.

Starting May 1 through October 31, he indicated that in partnership with Vacation Express, the US based arm of Sunwing Vacations, Bahamasair will operate non-stop service from eight US cities.

These include, Baltimore,MD, Birmingham, AL, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus,OH, Memphis TN,  Newark, NJ, Raleigh/Durham, NC, and Richmond, VA.

Mr Christie stressed that the level of investment, exposure, and risk that Sunwing CEO Steve Hunter and his partners are taking is a great demonstration of confidence in the government and the people of the Bahamas.

He stated that Grand Bahama can expect further injections into the economy as a result of opening of Memories Resort.

Prime Minister Christie pointed out that the fast ferry operator Balearia has increased its capacity and frequency to Grand Bahama, by some 259,000 seats in 2014/2015.

He said it triples their previous base capacity of some 84,000 seats.

“It is conservatively estimated that the Balearia will generate some 47,000 new visitor nights, generating an additional $18 million in tourism spent in the GBI economy,” Mr Christie said.

In addition to the $57 million that is projected, Mr Christie said it is therefore reasonable to project a return of not less than $72 million resulting from their intervention to turnaround Grand Bahama’s tourism.

Prime Minister Christie, however, said that they are only in the beginning stage of their mission in Grand Bahama.

“We have only reopened some 497 rooms or 994 beds, creating up to 1,000 new jobs this year. Our goal is to pursue further such growth opportunities and conversion of what are now closed resorts that we can breathe life into through strategic partnerships with credible and willing partners,” he said.

Mr Christie thanked Sunwing and Hutchison. He also commended Director General of Tourism David Johnson for the major role he played in bringing the major players together.

Sunwing CEO Steven Hunter the opening of the resort marks the culmination of a very long process that began some 18 months ago when he was approached by David Johnson.

He said that Mr Johnson had talked about opening a hotel in a destination with very little airlift.

“When it was first brought to my attention it was almost dismissed if it were not for my childhood memories of Grand Bahama,” he said.

Mr Hunter said he first visited Grand Bahama in the mid 80’s when his father opened the first all-inclusive resort on the island known as the Jack Tar Hotel in West End.

He said that Sunwing’s interest in promoting Grand Bahama goes beyond the resort.

Through partnership with Hutchison and the government, Mr Hunter said they are seeking to achieve three things: firstly, to revitalise tourism on Grand Bahama; secondly, to create a destination uniquely different from others, and thirdly, to set a strong foundation for continued growth and sustainable tourism on Grand Bahama.

Mr Hunter said that success will depend on all sectors and stakeholders working together. 

Sunwing has extensive experience as a resort operator, with more than nine resorts in the Caribbean.  It is also the operator of a travel company with its own airline and fleet of 22 jet aircraft. Sunwing also owns a Tour company, Sunwing  Vacations.

Mr Hunter reported that Sunwing’s revenues were close to $2 billion.