Source: Date: Updated: |
TheBahamasInvestor.com
Thursday, November 13, 2014 Thursday, November 13, 2014 |
Senior vice president of administration and external relations at Baha Mar Robert Sands says the multi-billion dollar resort is on track to open to guests by the end of spring 2015.
Over the next 20 years, the Cable Beach megaresort is expected to make a “substantial” impact on the Bahamian economy, creating 12,000 jobs, contributing $5.5 billion in government tax revenue and increasing the country’s gross domestic product to $15.9 billion, according to Sands (right).
Delivering a progress report to the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) yesterday at the Melia on Cable Beach, he predicted that the $3.5-billion project would bring more than 400,000 stopover visitors to Nassau and rejuvenate the country’s tourism industry.
“We started with inspiration and that inspiration came from the beautiful waters of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people and the glamorous past in the tourism of bygone days,” said Sands. “That is what we want to get back to today. [Baha Mar] will create a grand experience of luxury and leisure.”
Sands added that the resort is hoping to broaden The Bahamas’ reach and reduce its dependence on North American visitors by attracting those from Asia, Europe and Latin America.
In five years, around 22 million Chinese will visit North America annually, according to Sands, who said Baha Mar wants to capture a part of that market and is aiming for around 200,000 Chinese visitors each year.
He described the target audience as “classic baby boomers” and said that while Atlantis Paradise Island was “family focused and adult friendly,” Baha Mar would be “adult focused and family friendly.”
Since it broke ground in February 2011, Baha Mar has awarded $511 million worth of contracts to Bahamians and created 3,821 construction jobs, added Sands.
Currently there are 1,243 Bahamians at work on the site, which will encompass the largest casino in the Caribbean, a 200,000 sq ft convention centre, several high-end hotel brands including Grand Hyatt and Rosewood Resorts and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
cmorris@dupuch.com