Investor confidence in The Islands Of The Bahamas continues to grow as the popular multi-destination chain expands its partnerships and attracts leading investors worldwide.

Since the onset of 2014, The Bahamas has experienced substantial expansion of its tourism product. Among its progressive moves are: Club Med’s $90 million hotel and the airport expansion in San Salvador plus an expansion to the Leon Levy Nature Plant Preserve in Eleuthera. In addition to this, Memories Resort on Grand Bahama Island opened its doors in March 2014 after a multi-million dollar refurbishment and Baha Mar’s $3.5 billion expansion, the biggest investment in the Caribbean is scheduled to open in Spring 2015 in Nassau/Paradise Island.

With such growth and development happening in an already successful destination, as echoed by its nearly 6 million annual visitors, The Bahamas also recently received an open letter of endorsement by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a responsible leader in sustainable tourism development. The Golden Book of Tourism recognition resulted from decisions made by Heads of State and Heads of Government who believe that tourism is a transformative force in social economic development.

RESORTS:

Baha Mar’s $3.5 billion (U.S.) resort (set to open spring 2015) will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, with 1,000 rooms, is the centerpiece of the resort, and includes a 100,000 square foot Las Vegas-style casino – the largest in the Caribbean region. A 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room SLS, a 200-room Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® and the 694-room Meliá complete the extraordinary accommodations at Baha Mar.

Amenities will include the 18 hole, 72-par championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Baha Mar, 200,000 sq. ft. of combined state-of-the-art convention facilities including a 2,000-seat performing arts center and an art gallery with the largest curated collection of Bahamian art, more than 30 restaurants
nightclubs and bars, two spas, including the 30,000 sq. ft. destination spa ESPA at Baha Mar, designer retail boutiques, a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna, 14 distinctive pool experiences and a private island. An exciting partnership with two of the leading names in the world of music and entertainment- Jamie King and Emilio Estefan has also been announced. They will team up for the first time to develop, produce, choreograph and score the resort’s Grand Opening Gala alongside executive producer Bernie Yuman.

It will be a grand experience of sophisticated luxury and leisure spanning multiple days. For more information, visit
www.bahamar.com/welcome-to-the-new-riviera

Renovations have begun at Meliá Nassau Beach, a Meliá Hotels International resort, with phase one of the $19 million renovation plan expected to be complete by November 2014. The resort, on Nassau’s Cable Beach, will remain open throughout the redesign, with minimal interruptions to the guest experience. Renovations throughout the entire Meliá Nassau Beach property are expected to be complete by early 2016. Meliá Nassau Beach will be the only upscale all-inclusive resort in Nassau’s multi-billion dollar luxury destination resort, Baha Mar.

Once the first phase of the redesign is complete, the Meliá Nassau Beach will boast 694 luxury guestrooms offering modern décor and a private patio or balcony. In addition, the hotel will introduce guests to THE LEVEL, a signature service by Meliá Hotels & Resorts offering exclusive experiences, select room categories, a private pool and beach area, a separate check-in area in THE LEVEL Lounge, located upstairs from the main lobby, and preferred reservations for à la carte restaurants and other activities. THE LEVEL Lounge will offer guests daily continental breakfast, newspapers, coffee and tea service, premium beverages, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres served throughout the day. THE LEVEL guests can indulge in Energy for Life activities like Body Balance – a mix of yoga and Tai Chi, or the Experiences Menu, which includes special workshops, dinners on the beach, romantic private breakfasts and in-room dining experiences. For more information, please visit www.melianassaubeach.com.

Mahogany Hill Hotel - Situated on the western end of New Providence, the $23 million boutique hotel project, Mahogany Hill will provide a setting of intimacy away from the city. Construction on the development in New Providence Island started in August of 2013 and is expected to be completed within 18 months. The hotel will have 33 rooms for guests – as well as a spa, pool, theatre, and restaurant. The Bahamian owned property is also set to feature cultural entertainment and will boast a collection of Bahamian artwork only on display throughout the hotel. www.mahogany-house.com


Albany, Nassau Bahamas – Work and planning on its $140 million expansion are well underway with its high end condominiums, residences, golf academy, financial and medical centre. www.albanybahamas.com

Grand Bahama

Memories Grand Bahama Beach & Casino Resort - The property, the former Reef at Grand Lucayan, officially opened in March 2014, after a multi-million dollar rebuild. The five-star deluxe all-inclusive beach front resort is ideal for families, couples and golf enthusiasts. Memories boast 460 suites and a wide variety of facilities including a modern sports bar, 5 unique dining experiences, teen’s club, kids club with a themed aqua park, golf and a casino. For more information, visit www.memoriesresorts.com

Out Islands

Resorts World Marina

Resorts World, Bimini. Phase I of the Bimini airport upgrade has been completed enabling night flights; construction of the deep-water jetty enabling day and night Superfast Ferry trips has been completed; the new 350 room luxury hotel will be completed and opened in November. (Second Phase). It will have water views and sit adjacent to the newly opened Resorts World Bimini Casino www.rwbimini.com


In North Abaco the harbour project is underway; Bakers Bay, the model upscale resort community, continues to expand. www.bakersbayclub.com

Sandals is this year spending $32 million on upgrades to the Royal Bahamian & Offshore Island, Emerald Bay Golf, Tennis & Spa Resort and Fowl Cay www.sandals.co.uk, www.fowlcay.com


The February Point in The Exumas, will start construction on new pool, restaurant and bar, sales center, 25 unit condo hotel, six unit penthouse. www.februarypoint.com

Norman’s Cay developers, The Exumas, are moving ahead with key components including the initial 30 keys resort/bar beach club, large marina, expanded runway to accommodate private jets, with further expansion of other boutique style resorts, private residences, an enhanced marina village and additional amenities in the coming months. www.fortcapital.com/portfolio/7/normans-cay-exumas-bahamas

Club Med Columbus Isle –the Government of the Bahamas, operators of Club Med and Sand and Ocean Investments Ltd. recently signed an agreement to refurbish and expand the Club Med Resort. The $90 million (U.S.) project will comprise 360 new luxury condo-hotel units, staff housing and a 125-room boutique hotel, all of which will be managed by the European luxury resort operator. The project is expected to be completed within four years.
http://www.clubmed.co.uk/cm/resort-columbus-isle-bahamas_p-341-l-EN-v-COLC-ac-vh.html

Sand and Ocean will also upgrade the airport in San Salvador to include navigational aides, security, terminal expansion and ground handling that will improve domestic, international and private flights.

AIRLIFT:
Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) – Ranked as the best airport in the Caribbean by Caribbean Journal, LPIA completed its four-year, $409 million redevelopment and expansion in October 2013. The 606,000 sq. ft. state of the art, ultra modern facility, can accommodate 50 percent more passengers than before and is equipped with 24 retail stores, 16 restaurants, bars and lounges, US customs and immigration clearance as well as connective domestic and international departure terminals. The airport can accommodate large aircraft, inclusive of A380 jumbo airliners.

From March 2015 the Sunday British Airways flight will terminate in Nassau, adding extra seats capacity to the destination. British Airways has five direct flights a week from London to Nassau (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) www.ba.com

Delta Airlines connecting flight to Nassau – From March 2015 passengers travelling from Manchester will be able to fly to Nassau on a same day connection via Atlanta. www.delta.com

NEW PROGRAMMES AND EVENTS:

7-9 May 2015 are the dates of the first edition of the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. A great weekend with four different event, an incredible opportunity to feel end experience the rhythm and the music of Junkanoo, the soul of the Bahamian people. www.thebahamascarnival.com

Leon Levy Nature Plant Preserve – A 25-acre ecologically sustainable sanctuary created jointly by the Bahamas National Trust and the Leon Levy Foundation is a must see attraction in Eleuthera.

The Preserve features thousands of native trees, including Bahamian medicinal plants and those that are poisonous, as well as a mangrove boardwalk, the fresh water wetlands, our orchid strewn trails, a tower which affords a 360-degre view of the island, glimpses of native birds, including the rare Kirtland’s Warbler and a meeting facility.

John Watling’s Distillery – John Watling’s, the Spirit of The Bahamas, welcomes guests for a complimentary tour at its home, the Buena Vista Estate, in Downtown Nassau. The historic estate, founded in 1789 and overlooking the harbour, is the site where Bahamians hand-craft JOHN WATLING’S small-batch Pale, Amber and Buena Vista rums. At the estate, John Watling’s features a museum-like tour, shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails at its Red Turtle Tavern. Within walking distance from the cruise ship port, John Watling’s Distillery is located on Delancy Street and is open from 9am-5pm, seven days a week. For more information visit http://www.johnwatlings.com or www.facebook.com/johnwatlings.

About The Islands Of The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone from Nassau and Paradise Island to Grand Bahama to The Abaco Islands, The Exumas, Harbour Island, Long Island and others. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as shopping and dining.

The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar is at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information on travel packages, activities and accommodations or visit www.bahamas.co.uk . Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.