NASSAU, BAHAMAS- The Save Exuma Alliance (SEA) has renewed its campaign against Yntegra Group’s planned $200 million Rosewood-branded resort on Sampson Cay, warning that the scale of the project threatens to permanently damage the Exuma Cays.
In a statement following last week’s groundbreaking ceremony, the group said the development — which includes more than 90 structures, extensive dredging, and a 390-foot seawall — represents “a vastly oversized project that will destroy the Exuma cays.” SEA maintained that putting a shovel in the ground “did not change anything except the dirt it turned for a photo op,” insisting that its members will not be deterred from pressing for a scale-down of the project.
The group argues that the proposed seawall and dredging will devastate seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and tidal flows in North Bay, while also reshaping the natural seascape that underpins Exuma’s tourism economy. SEA warned the project poses risks not only to the environment but also to heritage, community well-being, and the long-term stability of the local economy.
Business owners and environmental experts have added their voices, cautioning that the development could follow the fate of other failed mega-projects in the Exumas. A petition launched to halt environmental clearance has already attracted more than 6,600 signatures, underscoring the groundswell of concern.
SEA also pointed to recent examples where public pressure forced major projects to be stopped or altered, including a halted development on Athol Island and the termination of a controversial Exuma lease deal earlier this year. “That’s why every voice matters,” the group said, urging residents to sign the petition, write to their MPs, and make their views known.
Despite the mounting opposition, Yntegra Group has pressed ahead, holding a groundbreaking for the Rosewood Exuma resort last week. The company has outlined plans for villas, residences, and marinas, along with supporting infrastructure such as an upgraded airport and new ferry terminal at Black Point.
Government officials, including Prime Minister Philip Davis, have endorsed the project, framing it as a significant driver of jobs, careers in hospitality, and new business opportunities for local suppliers and entrepreneurs. The resort is projected to open in 2028.
