The Tribune

BY ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

A TOURISM entrepreneur yesterday rejected allegations that he is applying for Bahamian citizenship so he can enter sectors of the industry exclusively reserved for local ownership under the National Investment Policy.

Jayme Nabors, whose application was recently advertised in papers, told Tribune Business that his Beach Weekend Bahamas venture has no plans to offer excursions after Green Turtle Cay residents suggested they may oppose his Bahamian citizenship bid.

He added that he is following all applicable Bahamian laws and regulations in developing Beach Weekend Bahamas, and said: “I have no intentions of doing excursions.”

Mr Nabors said his focus is on expanding Beach Weekend Bahamas into an integrated tourism development, bringing additional accommodation, restaurant and recreational amenities to Green Turtle Cay while creating employment and business opportunities for Bahamians.

He declined to disclose the total investment in Beach Weekend Bahamas but said the project currently employs around 35 people, the majority of whom are based on Green Turtle Cay, with others coming from Treasure Cay, Coopers Town and Marsh Harbour. He said all contractors working on the project are Bahamian, while the resort's staff are also Bahamian.

“If I bring an additional 100 people a week to Green Turtle, they're going to be supporting local restaurants, local excursions, local tourism spots,” Mr Nabors said.

He added that the project is intended to increase the number of visitors staying on Green Turtle Cay by providing additional accommodation and amenities, creating a wider economic benefit for the community.

Beach Weekend Bahamas currently has a fully operational marina with 42 slips, three pickle ball courts, a swimming pool, on-site laundry facilities and two completed five-bedroom houses available for short-term rental. The property also has an operational restaurant and bar featuring a pizza oven and Bahamian kitchen.

Mr Nabors said construction is underway on a 4,000 square foot restaurant and pool bar expansion, which is expected to be completed in January 2027. The developer also has plans and permits for six additional villas, bringing the property's total accommodation offering to eight units. Construction is expected to begin in January, with completion targeted for summer 2027.

However, several residents questioned his citizenship application and whether his presence on the island is sufficient to justify describing himself as a Green Turtle Cay resident.

Annabelle Cross, a resident of Green Turtle Cay, said she is particularly offended by the prospect of Mr Nabors obtaining citizenship after what she described as a relatively short period in the country.

“As a Bahamian woman, I am totally offended by that...” she said. Ms Cross said Mr Nabors acquired the property in April, yet his citizenship application had already reached the stage of being advertised by November.

“I mean, he got that business turned over to him in April, and then it's November, and you already have your application to the point where it's being published in the newspaper. That's fast,” she said. “I don't think he needs citizenship in order to invest. Why are we selling our birthright?”

Another Green Turtle Cay resident said the community's frustration centred on the possibility that Mr Nabors could use citizenship to compete directly with Bahamian-owned businesses.

“Nobody's backlashing him doing the project,” the resident said. “What they're backlashing is him trying to get citizenship, and he just got here. He only bought the property in April, and he's trying to say he's a resident of Green Turtle. He's not. He flies in here and stays two or three days just to check on the product and leaves. So he's got an alternative motive.”

The resident said there were concerns that Mr Nabors could eventually offer boat and golf cart rentals, among other services, despite previously indicating he had no intention of doing so.

Wade Cash, a Green Turtle Cay resident and council member, said he personally raised the issue after a meeting between the developer and the local board after hearing rumours about the proposed business activities. Mr Cash said he specifically questioned whether the development intends to offer boat rentals, golf cart rentals and diving services, explaining that those activities have traditionally been reserved for Bahamians.

He added that the developer initially indicated he had been given incorrect information about what foreign investors were permitted to do. He said Mr Nabors subsequently indicated that those plans would not proceed after being informed of the restrictions.

“But now I feel personally, and a lot of other people, that he's doing that [applying for citizenship] so that he can do all of that,” Mr Cash said.

He added that local businesses have worked hard to recover following Hurricane Dorian, and could struggle to compete against a developer with substantially greater financial resources.

“Especially since Dorian. I mean, we have busted our butts putting this place back together and building our business and got it back to normalcy again,” he said. “And now somebody like this saying, ‘You can't compete with a billionaire.’ He comes in here and they're dropping a lot of money, but in doing that they will wipe some of the small businesses out.”

Mr Nabors, however, said the development's economic contribution should be considered alongside residents' concerns, arguing that increased visitor arrivals will generate business for operators across the island.

Shenna Newbold, restaurant and bar manager at Beach Weekend, defended the development, saying it has provided employment opportunities for residents and contributed to community projects. Ms Newbold said eight employees currently work under her supervision, all of whom are Bahamian, while additional positions are expected as the development expands.

“The job opportunities that are happening here on Green Turtle at Beach Weekend are amazing,” she said. “We don't have any American people working for us. Everybody that work here is Bahamians, and we have more jobs to come.”

Ms Newbold said the developer has also contributed to community initiatives, including refurbishing the island's basketball court and sponsoring its Christmas tree lighting. She argued that the development was helping attract visitors back to Green Turtle Cay, including returning guests who had not visited the property under its previous ownership.

Terrece Bootle, assistant office manager at Beach Weekend, similarly pointed to the development's wider economic impact. She said the resort sourced goods and services from Bahamian businesses, including hardware stores and suppliers serving its restaurant operations.

Ms Bootle dismissed suggestions that Mr Nabors intends to enter businesses reserved for Bahamians, arguing that residents were making assumptions about his intentions without an announced business plan to support the claims.

“They are projecting far more than the owner has announced in terms of his outlook for his development,” she said.

Mr Nabors said the project is being developed in accordance with the Government's regulations governing foreign investment and the benefits available to developers who meet the relevant requirements.

“We want to work hand in hand with the Green Turtle community,” he said. “We're really excited about building a community development and improving the tourism experience in The Bahamas.”