The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Baha Mar’s top executive yesterday said reservations at its Grand Hyatt property have “exceeded our expectations” to-date, with overall demand for summer travel “extremely strong”.

Graeme Davis, Baha Mar’s president, said: “Live reservations have exceeded our expectations, and the overall demand is extremely strong for summer travel. We are thrilled to welcome guests and international visitors to the Bahamas to experience Baha Mar and all of the guest offerings and amenities.”    

Late last month, Baha Mar said reservation availability for the Grand Hyatt had been moved up to May 8, some 21 days earlier than originally advertised.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the 1,800 room Grand Hyatt was held on April 21, with this past Monday bringing an end to the preview period.

“We are overwhelmed by the positive responses that we have have received,” said Mr Davis, adding: “We’re taking live reservations now; it’s showtime.” He told this newspaper that Baha Mar currently has close to 1,700 employees.

Under its original developer Sarkis Izmirlian, the $4.2 billion project was scheduled to open in December 2014. After repeatedly missing construction completion deadlines, Mr Izmirlian filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US in June 2015.

The Government vigorously opposed this process, saying it threatened the Bahamas’ sovereignty, and instead petitioned the Supreme Court to place Baha Mar into liquidation.

Mr Izmirlian ultimately lost control of the mega resort after being defeated in the US and Bahamian courts, and Chow Tai Took Enterprises (CTFE), the conglomerate formed by the late billionaire, Cheng Yu Tung, was revealed as the new owner last year.

CTFE is pushing for a full opening by April 2018. Baha Mar also includes a 300-room SLS resort, a 200-room Rosewood Baha Mar property, and the 694-room Melia Nassau Beach, which has been open for three years and operates as an adults-only, all-inclusive.