Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Port Authority Welcomes Hotel Signing
By GBPA
Oct 18, 2012 - 2:36:34 AM

Freeport, Bahamas – “Today’s announcement by the government epitomizes the good that can be accomplished through strategic partnerships,” stated Ian Fair, Chairman, The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) who welcomed the signing of a heads of agreement between the Government, Hutchison Lucaya Limited and Canadian-based Sunwing Travel Group Inc. for management of the Reef Village at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

With Sunwing’s leasing of the 500 room hotel, planned upgrades to the hotel and casino, and introduction of airlift from the Toronto area along with its related marketing, hundreds of jobs are expected to become available for residents of Grand Bahama Island.

Describing the Sunwing Group as a ‘total package of tourism services’, i.e. hotel, tour operation and airline management, Port Authority officials are excited at the potential to tap into the North American market, especially on the eve of the winter season when many Canadians seek warm vacation destinations. “This tourism related project with its various synchronized components will have a significant impact on the local economy,” Fair added. “In harmony with the Ministry of Tourism’s vision to increase the number of ‘heads in beds’, such concerted efforts will definitely contribute to an increase in our stop-over visitors, with positive results for hoteliers and so many other sectors such as the airport, restaurants, tour operators, taxi drivers, straw and souvenir vendors, entertainers, car rentals and so on.”

Alluding to cooperation between the government, Hutchison and GBPA, Fair stated that the ongoing success of such partnerships will continue to create benefits for Grand Bahama’s residents and improve its economic environment.

Today’s Reef Village signing follows closely on the recent opening of Solomon’s at the Seahorse Shopping Plaza, a $4M investment which created 60 jobs; and last week’s opening of Grand Bahama’s first indoor mall and food court, offering employment for an additional 150 residents. "There is clearly a positive trend developing on Grand Bahama, which augers well for the future," Fair concluded.

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