NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper has confirmed that the redevelopment of the Sandals resort in Exuma is set to progress, with the Government and the hotel group having agreed on terms and resolved a previous tax-related dispute.
“The terms are agreed, we anticipate signing the agreement very soon,” Mr. Cooper told reporters on Monday. “The reality is that Sandals had a dispute as it relates to their taxes with the Government of The Bahamas. That dispute has been substantially settled and now it’s a question of them moving forward with the actual signing of the agreement. All of the terms are already agreed, so we expect forward progress very soon.”
Mr. Cooper, who is also the Member of Parliament for Exuma and Ragged Island, said the project’s advancement is a significant step for the island, which relies heavily on the tourism sector. The Sandals redevelopment is expected to inject fresh momentum into Exuma’s economy, providing new opportunities for local employment and business linkages.
The Free National Movement (FNM), however, has criticized the Government over the slow pace of the project, warning that delays have left more than 425 Bahamians without work—200 of them native Exumians—nearly a year after the resort closed for renovations originally projected to last eight months.
“The impact has been severe. Local businesses that depend on Sandals visitors—taxi drivers, tour operators, and artisans—are struggling. Every missed paycheck drains money from the community and weakens Exuma’s economy,” the FNM said in a a recent statement.
Beaches Resorts, the family brand under the Sandals group, has previously announced plans to invest nearly $1 billion in expanding its all-inclusive portfolio over five years. Executive Chairman Adam Stewart unveiled the expansion during a global launch in New York City on March 12, which includes new developments in Barbados, Exuma, and Runaway Bay, Jamaica, along with a major addition to the flagship Beaches Turks and Caicos resort.
As part of that plan, Beaches Exuma will become the brand’s first property in The Bahamas. The transformation of Sandals Emerald Bay into a Beaches resort will reconfigure its 249 rooms into a mix of family-friendly accommodations, including multi-bedroom villa suites. Planned amenities include 12 restaurants, a Kids Camp, splash park, spa, and access to the Greg Norman–designed 18-hole Emerald Bay Golf Course.
