The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Major Nassau/Paradise island resorts are reporting strong occupancies for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with one property noting that business appeared to be “on the up” for the winter season.

Jermaine Wright, director of operations at the British Colonial Hilton, told Tribune Business: “British Colonial Hilton Nassau business is positive, and we hope the trend continues through the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday period, with individual guests coming to enjoy some beachfront relaxation and events hosted by those coming to celebrate special occasions with us.”

Chester Robards, public relations manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, told Tribune Business: “Thanksgiving weekend is looking good; it’s looking strong. We’re moving into the busy season. The winter season is again looking on the up.”

Paul Burke, Brookfield Hospitality’s president and managing director, recently told Tribune Business that Atlantis’s Thanksgiving occupancies were up by a “strong mid to high single digit” percentage increase compared to 2014, aided by its fifth US college basketball tournament.

He added that the Paradise Island resort was set for a “very solid” Thanksgiving weekend, due in large part to the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.

“Thanksgiving is looking very solid, and each year it gets better,” Mr Burke said said. “This is our fifth Battle 4 Atlantis, and progressively each year they get a bit stronger. This year is no exception. We’re up in the strong mid-to high single digits on a year-over-year basis from an occupancy perspective.”