The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEEP Water Cay is continuing to expand its reach in the United States to attract more visitors to the East End, Grand Bahama bonefishing lodge, which was recently featured in a prominent Nashville magazine with a circulation of 90,000.

Joseph Bunton, Deep Water Cay’s co-general manager, said that the Tennessee city is one of their major markets, even though there are no direct flights from there to Grand Bahama.

“We are reaching out to markets that have historically supported us based on past guests, and we have reached into the international market which is good for us,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

Mr Bunton said that they are also promoting Deep Water Cay not only as a bonefishing lodge, but also as a dive destination as well.

“The key thing we want people to know about is our diving programme as opposed to (just) being bonefish lodge. So, we are excited about the fact that we see a lot of folks coming from Nashville,” he said.

Nashville Lifestyles is the city’s magazine focusing on celebrity profiles, travel, the home, local events, nightlife, cuisine and the latest in real estate.

Mr Bunton said that there is currently no direct flight from Nashville but visitors fly through Miami, Charlotte or Atlanta to Grand Bahama. After landing, guests would have to make the long drive from Freeport to McLean’s Town and then take a ferry across the channel to the resort. There are seven cottages, four private houses and three private residences.

While in Grand Bahama in December, Prime Minister Perry Christie talked about plans for major expansion at Deep Water Cay, disclosing that there is an application on his desk to be approved for over $60m in duty free materials for the resort. Mr Christie said that expansion plans include airport and hotel development and a new hotel chain, Six Senses.

When asked about the expansion, Mr Bunton said: “All of this is preliminary and we are still seeking funding to have those things happen. Right now, it is more or less on paper but we are still seeking funding which is pretty substantial number; it is around $50m.”

According to Mr Bunton, the resort employs a staff of 68, of which 65 are Bahamians.

Mr Bunton said that they are also refocusing their efforts on the Canadian market, New York and other states along the US East Coast.

“Our customers come from all over, but we have a large influx of persons who come from the US east coast because it’s easy to get to Grand Bahama,” he said.

Deep Water Cay has been in operation since 1958, and had undergone major improvements since then.

“It has been here for quite some time, but of course there have been huge changes as far as lodging and our services and amenities now are much grander than they had been over the years,” he said.