The list of international hotel operators and developers taking strategic steps to establish or increase their business interests in The Bahamas continues to grow, with the renowned Ritz-Carlton commencing a major role at the Abaco Club on Winding Bay over the weekend.
The brainchild of developer, Peter de Savary, the Abaco Club reported in a press release that following the announcement of the partnership with the Ritz-Carlton in February, the 50-50 arrangement between itself and the luxury resort chain began in earnest on July 1.
“The Ritz-Carlton will officially begin managing and overseeing all day-to-day operations at the club,” the release stated.
“(The partnership) is destined to be a colossal success and will provide the Abacos and The Bahamas with additional prestige as an elite traveler destination.”
The announcement over the weekend came several months after some apparent confusion developed over whether, and if so when, a new Ritz-Carlton property would be built on Abaco.
During a visit to Abaco in March health and national insurance minister Dr. Bernard Nottage said the success of the Abaco Club on Winding Bay led the government to approve the construction of a Ritz-Carlton in the southern part of the island.
That move, he said, would provide more employment and economic prosperity for Abaco.
Corporate vice president of public relations for Ritz-Carlton Vivian Deuschl pointed out at the time, however, that the company had not yet signed any contract for a new project to be built on Abaco.
“Unless a contract is signed for us, it is not a final deal. Right now, we are just looking at a number of possibilities in the region,” she said in March.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, meanwhile, speaking at the signing of a heads of agreement in February for a 235-acre Ritz-Carlton resort on Rose Island, also referred to the partnership between Mr. de Savary and the Ritz-Carlton.
That partnership, he said, provided evidence of the stability of the country and its tourism product.
The weekend press release also indicated that Ritz-Carlton and Abaco Club officials have recently introduced a renewed focus on employee training.
“The Abaco Club has always sought the best personalities for all positions and strived to provide the ladies and gentlemen employed at the club with the best of training before the opening of its doors in December 2004 and continued to do so after,” the release said.
“During the week of June 21-28 the Ritz-Carlton imported [its] entire top training personnel to provide additional training for all employed at The Abaco Club. The sessions also included orientation on their operations.”
By: Darrin Culmer, The Bahama Journal
