GRAND LUCAYAN’S NEXT OWNER: Bidders for beleaguered resort to be shortlisted over next several days

Royal Caribbean abandoned plans to acquire resort NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday that with several “very credible” offers having been submitted to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort, the process of shortlisting those bidders will be undertaken over the next several days. Speaking to the issue yesterday, Cooper said: […]

WHATEVER IS BEST: Lucayan Renewal Holdings defends use of Canadian firm in sale process

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The board of Lucayan Renewal Holdings yesterday defended the use of Canada firm Colliers Enterprise in the Grand Lucayan sale process, as it encouraged local brokers and agents to bring their clients to the table. The board said in a statement yesterday that it expects there will be Bahamian and international interest […]

‘IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A WIN-WIN’: Pintard defends former govt’s failed Grand Lucayan deal

Pintard: FNM does not object to separating hotel and port deals if it would result in successful sale Opposition leader wishes govt well in pursuing a resolution NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard yesterday said the deal the Minnis administration negotiated for the sale of the Grand Lucayan was expected to […]

ANOTHER DEFEAT: Hotelier laments loss of ‘real driving force’ over Sunwing exit as Grand Lucayan deal terminated

D’Aguilar: I hold no ill will and I hope to hell govt finds a buyer Cooper: We do not plan to belabor this process NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Grand Bahama hotelier yesterday said the island’s tourism sector lost the only real driving force it had for 15 to 20 years after Sunwing’s exit post-Hurricane Matthew, […]

‘WE GOT SCREWED’: Former tourism minister laments failed Grand Lucayan MOU

D’Aguilar suggests country’s time was wasted NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar today blamed the failed Grand Lucayan deal on the inability of the Freeport Harbour Company to “strike a deal” with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCL) and ITM Group. His comments come as Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation […]

LOOKING UP: Grand Lucayan bookings expected to pick up in wake of aggressive marketing

Tourism minister believes Bahamas on “on the cusp” of tourism rebound NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Lucayan Renewal Holdings Chairman Michael Scott, QC, said yesterday that bookings at the Our Lucaya property are expected to pick up next month as an aggressive marketing and promotions campaign has been undertaken. Scott told Eyewitness News that the property reopened yesterday […]

FULL SPEED AHEAD: Grand Lucayan deal still pushing forward, Royal Caribbean CEO assures

D’Aguilar: “We’re at the cusp of getting this [deal] done” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean International’s president and chief executive yesterday assured that its purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort through its joint venture with the ITM Group is moving “full speed ahead”, with an announcement on the deal said to be coming soon. Michael […]

ACCESS GRANTED: Seven “special guests of the Grand Lucayan Resort” granted temporary exemption from travel health visa

D’Aguilar confirms group presented negative RT-PCR COVID tests on arrival NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Seven people were granted temporary exemption of a travel health visa to enter Grand Bahama over the weekend. A letter from the Office of The Prime Minister to Director of the Hotel Corporation Terrence Roberts, dated on March 5, advised that after […]

CONUNDRUM: D’Aguilar says Grand Lucayan sale “challenged”, but deal on the “home stretch”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While “difficult”, the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama to Royal Caribbean and the ITM Group is on the “home stretch”, according to Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar, who said the pandemic has made for “extremely challenging times”. “We’re obviously on the home stretch to concluding an agreement,” D’Aguilar […]

Grand Lucayan’s Lighthouse Pointe to reopen Feb. 2021

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS — Grand Lucayan’s Lighthouse Pointe is set to reopen on February 1, 2021, along with four of its restaurants, its spa and fitness center and its convention center, a recent press statement confirmed. “Grand Lucayan, the award-winning resort offering guests an authentic Bahamian experience, proudly announces the Feb. 1, 2021 reopening of Lighthouse […]

Trade Union Congress: GB resort reopening and employment more important than “bad deal” claims

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson said yesterday that the union’s priority concerning the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort is its reopening and the reemployment of Grand Bahamians, and it is less concerned about whether the altered deal is not as attractive as originally negotiated. “My thoughts principally are to […]

Grand Lucayan reopening “crucial” with airlift and marketing strategy, says hotelier

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A prominent Grand Bahama hotelier said yesterday it is “crucial” that the Grand Lucayan resort reopens, noting that it needs an operator that can kickstart the destination with a comprehensive airlift and marketing plan. Magnus Alnebeck, the Pelican Bay resort’s general manager, told Eyewitness News, “It is crucial that it opens, but […]

Govt. “feverishly” working to complete Grand Lucayan sale before year’s end

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is “feverishly” assessing the amended timelines provided by the developers of the Grand Lucayan resort on Grand Bahama in order to complete an end-of-year turnover. Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson provided an update at a press conference yesterday. The government purchased the resort for $65 million in […]

“Life is about risks”, D’Aguilar says about Grand Lucayan

Government’s $65 million acquisition of the Grand Lucayan resort will not include the three properties on the hotel strip, according to Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar. D’Aguilar revealed during government’s recent tour of the struggling Grand Bahama property, that while the Lighthouse remains open, the government will only be making repairs to and opening the […]

Grand Lucayan owners hold on to insurance money

Had Grand Lucayan hotel owners Hutchinson Whampoa reinvested the insurance monies it received into the property following the 2016 hurricanes, the resort might have remained open.   That, according to Tourism Minister Dioniso D’agular who stated on Wednesday that government remains optimistic that partnerships that once existed with the Memories Resort at Our Lucaya including the Sunwing […]