The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL businesses in the tourism sector on Grand Bahama have reopened for business and are anticipating the arrival of visitors to the island this month.

The Grand Lucayan Resort is expected to reopen on Monday and Memories Resort on December 17. Sunwing, which leases Memories, will also resume air service from Canada and the United States in December.

Restoration is progressing well on the island and power has been restored in the Freeport and Lucaya areas. Many businesses linked with the tourism sector have fully recovered from the effects of Hurricane Matthew.

Sarah Rolle, Vice President of Ocean Motion Water Sports Bahamas, said the recovery process after Matthew has been very quick. “I feel that the island was really well prepared, and Ocean Motion is ready to go with everything we have always offered,” she said.

The water sports company, located near Memories Resort, has been in operation for 30 years offering numbers water sports activities. It has survived past hurricanes that have impacted the island and were well equipped to quickly re-open for business.

Bahamas Adventures, which opened two years ago, is also open and ready to facilitate groups on a private beach property. Cesar Ochoa, General Manager, said the company reopened with improvements on October 21, some ten days after the storm.

“(We) made a promise that just ten business days after the hurricane, we would be ready to go and get back to action,” he said.

Bahamas Adventures was able to improve the existing restaurant space by with a brand new deck. There is the usual entertainment, catering services, specialised day tours and shopping.

Linda Osbourne, General Manager of the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) and the Dolphin Experience, said everyone in the industry has been helping one another.

“Those of us that have been in the industry have been working together to see what everybody needs. It’s been amazing to see everybody come together to help each other out,” she said.

The UNEXSO sustained minimal hurricane damages and was fortunate to re-open for business, two days after the storm. Despite the circumstances, Ms Osbourne said several dive groups are scheduled to visit the island and are adamant about keeping their reservations for a November excursion at UNEXSO.

The Dolphin Experience, said Ms Osbourne, is open and bookings are available if visitors have places to stay here.

Currently, the UNEXSO store and “Dive In Marina Bar and Restaurant” is open during normal business hours and looks forward to continued service for valued customers.