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, […]

‘HE WILL HONOR IT’: Entrepreneur confident PM Davis will resolve 10-year struggle over PI Crown land lease

Toby Smith remains embroiled in court battle over PI Crown land NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The entrepreneur behind the proposed $2 million restoration of Paradise Island’s lighthouse said yesterday that he has “every confidence” the Davis administration will honor his Crown land lease. Toby Smith, principal of Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club company, in an […]

OUT IN THE COLD: Taxi drivers fear being left out by Royal Caribbean Beach Club arrangement

Inside source assures Royal Caribbean eager to meet with taxi union over concerns NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Bahamas Taxi Cab Union President Wesley Ferguson yesterday voiced serious concerns that local taxi drivers will be left disadvantaged when the Royal Caribbean beach club destination on Paradise Island comes on stream. Ferguson told Eyewitness News: “We want to […]

Concerns voiced over Royal Caribbean beach club development during fiery town hall

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean executives last night revealed that they had initially requested 21 acres of crown land which the government had ultimately ‘negotiated down’ to the seven acres as part of their proposed Paradise Island Beach Club development. Developers claim the project will have a $1 billion economic impact over the first 10 […]

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 […]

Royal Caribbean chief: Homeport arrangement could be the start of “something new and exciting”

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Royal Caribbean’s chief executive yesterday expressed optimism that its homeporting arrangement to commence in June could be the beginning of something “new and exciting” for the long term, depending on customer response. Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International’s president and chief executive, said during a video conference yesterday that the company believes there […]