NASSAU, Bahamas — Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper said yesterday the British Colonial hotel in downtown Nassau will reopen this year, The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday, May 6.
“I met with the owners this week,” Cooper said. “They intend to invest in the property significantly to attract a new flag. They understand that this is an iconic property for the tourism industry and for Bay Street and for Bahamians.”
Cooper, who was addressing a meeting of the Rotary Club of West Nassau, declined to comment on whether the hotel was changing ownership.
“I can simply tell you that the owners are committed to ensuring that this property reopens,” he said.
“They are going to do what they need to do to ensure that it does. The owners of the [British Colonial] coincidentally are also the owners of (the nearby) Margaritaville and The Pointe and it’s in their self interest to ensure that the property is renovated and operational. That will be done this year.”
Cooper also said Club Med resort in Sal Salvador will reopen by October after being closed since 2020.
He indicated that tourism in The Bahamas is “on an upward trajectory” after coming to a standstill in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooper said its rebound is “simply phenomenal”.
“Yes, we are still growing,” he said. “Yes, we were at seven million (visitors) right before the pandemic. Yes, we will obtain seven million again this year in line with pre-pandemic levels. … Yes, we are 1,000 percent ahead where we were last year, but we must not rest on our laurels.”
Cooper said the government recognizes the continued need for investment in tourism. See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/british-colonial-hotel-to-reopen-this-year/
