Infrastructure in the Bahamas

Investment of more than $1 billion in hotel development and improvements to the tourism infrastructure

In 1992 the Bahamian Government launched an improvement campaign and a new resort development program to increase tourism revenues and maintain hotel competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations. Payback came in 1996 when the Bahamas experienced its best tourism year on record.

"Last year we welcomed 1.6 million stopover visitors who spent $1.4 billion. By the year 2000 we expect to have 2 million stopover visitors spending $2 billion a year," said the Director-General. The most recent renovations and developments include:

• Atlantis, Paradise Island: A $450 million expansion will double guest rooms to 2,400 by December 1998 and add both a new convention complex and a 25,000 sq. ft. ballroom, the largest in the Caribbean, by April 1999. Sun International spent more than $250 million in purchasing and refurbishing the resort which reopened in December 1994.
  

• Sandals Royal Bahamian: Undergoing a $40 million expansion to include two new restaurants and 210 additional guest rooms. Due for completion in September 1998, more than $37 million was spent to upgrade the property which opened in June 1996.
  

• Nassau Marriott Resort & Crystal Palace Casino: Just completed a $35 million refurbishment covering meeting rooms, guest rooms, public spaces and restaurants. The new Rainforest Theatre featuring the "Caribe" Dinner Show opened in October 1997.
  

• Radisson Cable Beach Resort: Recently completed a $15 million enhancement of guest rooms, public areas, pools and landscaping, golf course, restaurants and meeting space.
  

• Club Med Paradise Island: Has been completely renovated. The $15 million in improvements include enlarged guest rooms, new oceanfront restaurant and refurbishment, and landscaping of the original estate swimming pool.
  

• Nassau Beach Hotel: Undergoing a $12 million upgrade to guest rooms, public areas. A lushly-landscaped second swimming pool has just opened and three new restaurants and lounges have reopened.
  

• Radisson Grand Resort, Paradise Island: Recently completed a $3 million refurbishment of guest rooms, restaurants, lobby and front desk area. Lush tropical landscaping has also been created for the resort's front entrance and pool area.
  

• Small Treasures: This collection of 12 properties that range from intimate seven-room guest houses to five-star beachfront luxury resorts has completed nearly $4 million in improvements including Club Land'or/ $1 million, Compass Point/$1 million, Villas on Crystal Cay/$750,000, Bay View Village/$600,000, Red Carpet Inn/$335,000, Paradise Harbour Club/$10,000, Orange Hill Beach Inn/$88,000, and Dillet's Guest House/$30,000.
  

• SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas: Has announced plans to expand with an additional 50 to 100 guest rooms. After a $20 million purchase and renovation, the super-inclusive resort opened in September 1996.
  

• Hutchison International: Plans are moving ahead for the hotel division of this multinational company, Plaza Hotels Limited, to build a $100 million, 1,850-room, multiphase complex. This will replace the Lucayan Beach Resort & Casino, Grand Bahama Beach Hotel and the Atlantik Beach Resort.
  

• Bimini Bay Hotel, Marina & Casino: A new $400 million resort and residential community covering 700 square acres on North Bimini. Phase I includes the construction of a 225-500 room luxury hotel, casino, shops, marina, golf course and condominiums.

"It is evident in the number of investments taking place in our country, that developers have faith in our destination to provide the quality of service needed for these multimillion dollar investments to succeed," said the Minister of Tourism, The Hon. C. A. Smith.

Recently the government announced an $8 million upgrade to the main port facility at Prince George. Phase I, the port's "Taxi Call-Up" system, was completed last year. Phase II will include a new Tourist Information and Communication Center equipped with telephone and telefax facilities. It will house an ATM Center, gift shop, Junkanoo Expo, taxi and guest shelters and government regulatory agencies including the Department of Customs and Immigration. The final Phase will be comprised of restaurants and bars, small boat docking facilities, an open air stage and water fountains.

The tourism industry employs directly or indirectly about 50 percent of the Bahamian workforce and accounts for approximately half of the country's Gross Domestic Product.