NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Atlantis executives yesterday denied pressuring the resort’s employees to oppose Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) $100 million beach club development, stressing that their sole focus was on ensuring that the development undergoes environmental due diligence and the natural beauty of Paradise Island remains protected.
Resort executives issued a statement yesterday as the Department of Labour has launched an investigation to determine what impact a communication last month from Atlantis President and Managing Director Audrey Oswell urging staff to take a stand in relation to RCI’s beach club project may have had on them.
The resort said in a statement: “Atlantis has never opposed or pressured our team members to oppose Royal Caribbean’s proposed Paradise Island project. Our sole focus is to ensure that Royal Caribbean’s development undergoes environmental due diligence and that the natural beauty of Paradise Island and the vitality of The Bahamas remain protected.
“Much of the pride our 6,000 plus team members share about working at Atlantis is our long-term commitment to the community, marine life, the environment and our record for doing the right thing, even when it is not the easiest path,” Atlantis executives added. “While we pride ourselves in keeping our team members informed, we are confident in our team members’ ability to draw their own conclusions and make the right decisions.”
Atlantis executives have continued to express their concerns over RCI’s project and in a memo to employees last month Oswell urged the resorts employees to make their voices heard and take a stand with regard to Royal Caribbean International’s $100 million beach club project on Paradise Island.
Reiterating environmental concerns over the development, Oswell told employees noted that the potential impact of the project on the island’s beaches, marine life and water supply could be devastating if the appropriate environmental controls are not carefully planned and executed.
Oswell noted that whatever happens on Paradise Island has the potential to impact Atlantis, its guests, and all of its employees. She said that resort officials have been paying close attention to this project ever since it was first proposed in 2020.
“The potential impact on our beaches, marine life, and water supply could be devastating if the appropriate environmental controls and practices are not carefully planned and executed,” Oswell noted. “As the leader of tourism for The Bahamas and long-time stewards of the ocean and its marine life, caring for the environment has become part of our DNA. It is at the core of who we are and what we do.”
Royal Caribbean International recently announced that it will hold an additional public consultation in conjunction with The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) on June 8th to answer questions regarding its beach club development.
The company in a statement noted that now that it has received ‘approval in principle’ from the National Economic Council (NEC)—subject to appropriate environmental review—it is “eager” to address the environmental questions raised by the local community.
Further details regarding the public consultation meeting are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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