The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business 
Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BOATING visitors to the Exumas have brought increased custom for one Bahamian entrepreneur, who told Tribune Business his open-air beach front restaurant and special events venue business had “doubled” in the past year.

Kenneth ‘KB’ Bowe, owner of Chat ‘N’ Chill Adventures, told Tribune Business during the recent Exuma Business Outlook that that his venture on The Point, Stocking Island, was taking full advantage of the large number of boaters, winter and local residents and hotel guests trave’ling to Great Exuma.

“The boating business is huge here. My business has doubled since the last year. We have like 400 boats anchored here for at least four-five months of the year,” said Mr Bowe.

He told the Business Outlook conference that the Government should look at encouraging Sandals Emerald Bay to either sell its marina or open it up.

“There are people who want to buy slips. If you were to sell 100 slips over there to guys owning 80-100 foot yachts, that would make a big difference. I know because I deal with these guys,” said Mr Bowe.

“I got into the business 14 years ago. I bought the property in 1980, paid about $250,000 for it. I invested about $750,000 and it’s now worth about $6 million.

“I own nine acres of land. I have over 1,600 feet of beach. I intend to put some cottages there in the future. I created a Robinson milieu, and we have dances and all sorts of activities there. It started with the boating community and the others just came. We even have weddings on the beach.”

Mr Bowe said Chat ‘N’Chill features a full service wedding division. Stocking Island was featured as the location of choice for the wedding cover scene of Martha Stewart Weddings Destination & Dream Honeymoons Fall 2010.