Govt optimistic about employment in tourism sector

Govt optimistic about employment in tourism sector
Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes speaks with reporters outside Cabinet on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. (FILE PHOTO)

Atlantis optimistic Spring Break will spur reopening of Royal Towers by end of February

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said yesterday he is “very optimistic” about the employment situation in The Bahamas, “especially the touristic sector”.

Foulkes was responding to concerns about Atlantis’ latest announcement that it will temporarily furlough some of its workers.

Foulkes insisted the employment level at Atlantis remains the same and there’s been no change, despite the recent announcement.

He said that while Royal Towers has furloughed approximately 200 employees, the hotel has re-engaged 200 employees at The Cove.

Atlantis Paradise Island.

“I’m advised by Atlantis that the Spring Break — which is dependent on [when] universities begin around the end of February and goes anywhere from three to four weeks — they are optimistic that they are going to be able to reopen the Royal Towers and re-engage those 200 employees by the end of February.”

Foulkes pointed to the announcements from Sandals and Baha Mar regarding the reopening of their Bahamas-based properties by March.

Sandals announced that Sandals Emerald Bay on Great Exuma will welcome guests on February 24 and Sandals Royal Bahamian on March 31.

It will also begin offering complimentary COVID-19 testing onsite to guests staying in The Bahamas.

“That is very good news for almost 1,000 employees at Sandals,” Foulkes said.

Meanwhile, Baha Mar has announced that it will be completing the final phase of its reopening, with Rosewood and SLS to reopen on March 4.

Baha Mar.

The resort welcomed guests back guests to Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on December 17, 2020, after months of temporary closure due to the pandemic.

Foulkes noted: “Baha Mar will be completely opened. That is extremely good news.”

Unemployment in the country has been projected at 40 percent due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Thousands of hotel workers have been furloughed since March, and businesses in the private sector have been shuttered.

The reopening of Atlantis and Baha Mar in early December saw a return to work of some employees, however, many remain in limbo.

Many of the individuals who became unemployed during the pandemic were from the tourism sector, including businesses that relied on cruise ships for their trickle-down employment.

The Bahamas remains in a state of emergency with restrictions on social gatherings, events and indoor dining, and a curfew.

The government has announced its intention to extend the state of emergency until May 23.

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.

1 comments

I remain optimistic that I can walk on water but that does not mean it’s going to happen. These idiots should get their heads out of their ass and face reality. Absolutely clueless!!!

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