ADEQUATE FUNDING NOW IN PLACE FOR AIRPORT, SAYS DPM; HIGHLIGHTS EIGHT PROJECTS GOV’T HAS APPROVED
NASSAU, Bahamas — The government has approved more than $1 billion worth of projects for Exuma and its cays, with one project alone worth $550 million, er Cooper said yesterday, adding that the Exumas are on track to meet or surpass the record number of visitors it had in 2019, The Nassau Guardian reported on Friday, October 21, in an article written by Chester Robards.
Cooper, who was the keynote speaker at the Exuma Business Outlook, mentioned at least eight projects that the government has approved, adding that those are only the developments he is comfortable speaking about at this time.
While 70,000 people visited the Exumas in 2019, Cooper explained that at the end of August this year more than 57,000 people had visited the Exumas.
“Which is roughly 22 percent more than 2019 levels, which was a record-setting year,” he said.
“Exuma is truly a success story in the business of tourism. I will tell you that we can fill twice the number of hotel rooms that we have on the island, given the trends and leads we see on Bahamas.com and our various booking platforms.
“I want to repeat my call for hoteliers to build more rooms. I repeat my call to you to continue to open your homes and continue to build more vacation rentals.”
Many of the projects the government has approved for the Exumas are bringing new rooms to those islands.
The $1.2 billion in projects mentioned by Cooper include several boutique resort properties on populated islands in the Exumas, as well as the development of some private islands.
“These are projects that have been fully vetted by the Bahamas Investment Authority and have proof of financing,” he said.
Cooper explained that one development on an Exuma cay worth $150 million will include a resort, marina, airport and golf course; while $11 million is being injected into a high-end, environmentally sustainable, private island boutique resort on Little Fowl Cay.
Cooper explained that the government has approved the acquisition of Roker Point Estates, a stalled 58-acre resort and marina development. See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/govt-has-approved-over-1-bil-in-exuma-investments-cooper-says/
