NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper says doubling the country’s 15,000 hotel room inventory over the next 10 years is ‘achievable’ and necessary to facilitate the increase in stopover arrivals, which are currently constrained by limited room capacity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 2025 Routes Americas conference at the Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Cooper, the Minister of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation, urged more Bahamians to invest in tourism infrastructure.
“We have roughly 15,000 rooms. I have said I would like to see that number double over the next 10 years. I think that’s achievable. Every resort will contribute toward achieving that goal. Resorts that are not fully operational now will come on stream, but certainly, it takes time to develop a resort. We won’t achieve an additional 10,000–15,000 rooms immediately, but over time, this has to be the sustained strategy,” said Cooper.
Cooper said the government aims to direct large resorts to specific islands while promoting small boutique resorts in places like Crooked Island to maintain their authenticity. He noted that a new boutique resort is set to open on that island imminently.
“Our growth in stopovers and air arrivals is constrained by limited room capacity, and no matter how you slice it, if your glass is full, you simply don’t have the capacity to achieve more. I hear the armchair pundits on this subject all around the country talking about it, and the reality is, people who want to advance growth in stopovers, I invite them to invest in tourism. Still, there is not enough investment by Bahamians in the tourism infrastructure,” said Cooper.
Last week, the government signed a Heads of Agreement with Adrian and Adrianna Fox for a $300 million luxury development, “Voir Beach. Five hundred Bahamians will reportedly be employed during the construction of the development over the next four years, and 744 full-time positions will be on stream once operations begin. Groundbreaking is expected in February 2026. Voir Beach will feature a hotel and residence on the Cable Beach Strip and will also include 40 water bungalows on Balmoral Island.
Former Cabinet minister Damian Gomez has warned of potential legal action over the Government’s decision to lease a portion of Balmoral Island for the $300m resort project. Gomez, who holds a pre-existing lease interest in the island, claims the 21-year deal expropriates his property. He also stated he was unaware of the project’s approval until the Heads of Agreement signing. Gomez expressed feeling misled after previously inquiring with the Attorney General’s Office about the matter, only to be reassured that no developments were underway.
When asked about the matter, Cooper said: “The government has done its due diligence. The courts are available to anyone who may feel aggrieved by any decision of the government. I am confident that any concern will be settled, and the project will move on. We are excited by the fact that the Bahamians are investing in tourism, and I look forward to the project advancing and advancing quickly.”
