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News : Local Last Updated: May 17, 2017 - 3:22:48 PM


Romora Bay Resort & Marina Has Best Season in Resort’s Nearly 50-Year History, Caps Off Best Year for Marina
By Diane Phillips, DP&A
May 17, 2017 - 8:57:32 AM

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Romora Bay Resort & Marina reported the strongest season in its nearly 50-year history with April the single best month ever for the marina that caters to everything from the weekend cruiser to sophisticated superyachts, guest accommodations and Sunsets Bar & Grille. Operations Manager Joe Dargavage says the Harbour Island property’s success is part of a growing trend of more and larger vessels choosing The Bahamas for safety, security and hospitality.

Romora Bay Resort & Marina, a Harbour Island landmark since 1968, reported the strongest season in its nearly 50-year history with all revenue streams – marina, rooms and restaurant – at peak occupancy and spend records in April.

“We could not be more pleased with the reception we have been getting, particularly among the captains and owners of increasingly larger vessels at the marina. What gives us the greatest satisfaction is that we are operating at our very best with all-Bahamian management and staff sharing that special touch of Bahamian hospitality,” said Joe Dargavage, Operations Manager, the sole non-Bahamian. Dargavage, who has a 25-year history in The Bahamas and has served as president of the Association of Bahamas Marinas, credits much of the success of Romora Bay’s growing share of the popular Harbour Island visitor market to the desirability of The Bahamas.

“These are turbulent times in many parts of the world and The Bahamas is seen as a secure and highly desirable place to be. A lot of the traffic, and particularly mega-yachts, which used to go elsewhere for part of the year are spending more time in the Caribbean and The Bahamas,” Dargavage said.

He also credits what he calls the ‘Romora hospitality factor’ for attracting repeat visitors and marina guests.

“There are larger marinas in The Bahamas and even in Harbour Island, but we get an extraordinary number of repeat visitors who tell us when they are here, they feel like family,” he said. “It’s friendly, the staff are friendly, the Sunsets Bar & Grille which is the only place in Harbour Island that has live music three nights a week, is friendly. And then there are the amenities that marina guests as well as those in our little resort on a lot of land get to use -– infinity edge pool, crew lounges, new gym, newly renovated and furnished guest suites. Fishermen bring in their fresh catch daily and if a boat comes back with a large catch and wants the chef to cook it up, we’ll prepare and share. Success is not built on the best bedspread or art on the wall. It’s in the art of hospitality.” Among the Bahamians serving in key roles are Assistant General Manager Marc Tonis, Front End Manager Altonette Ferguson, Guest Relations Manager Laurieann Albury and Marina Manager Lorria Whitfield.

Even as Romora with its 14 guest suites and 40-slip marina enjoys its time in the sun, Dargavage said the trend toward more boats creating greater benefits for The Bahamas overall is significant.

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Great season, great Bahamian management team -- Romora Bay Resort & Marina on Harbour Island just experienced the best season in its nearly 50-year history and did so with nearly all Bahamian management. Only Operations Manager Joe Dargavage, 2nd from right, was not born in The Bahamas, though he has a 25-year history with the country and is vice president of the Assn of Bahamas Marinas. Bahamian management pictured l-r, Marc Tonis, Assistant General Manager, Vernique Culmer, Executive Chef, Rhonda Cleare, Food & Beverage Manager, Lorria Whitfield, Marina Manager, Joe Dargavage, Operations Manager and Altonette Ferguson, Front Office Manager.

“The boating and yachting industry throughout The Bahamas has enjoyed a steady incline since 2013,” said Dargavage, who serves as vice president of the Association of Bahamas Marinas. “Every year, we see more and larger vessels coming from Europe that only a few years ago did not spend time in The Bahamas. We project that this trend will continue over the next five years. Key industry factors like fuel prices, a bright outlook for the U.S. and local financial sectors and most importantly safety and security, all help to drive yachts to our beautiful turquoise waters and we do not see anything that would alter those basic factors in any dramatic way in the next several years so the outlook is encouraging and bright for businesses related to the yachting industry in The Bahamas.”

Romora Bay Resort & Marina has also enjoyed growth as a venue for photo shoots. Victoria’s Secret, Cover Girl, La Perla, Elle, Marie-Claire, Sony, J. Jill, Gilette, LLBean, Photo Magazine and Ocean Drive are among the many companies or products who have shot print or video at the waterfront resort.


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