Bimini, The Bahamas \u2013 Signature Deep Sea excursions and casino attractions are the latest addition to Bimini’s development that is now under new management.\u00a0 Rock Resorts has taken over the island’s resort development.<\/p>\n
“Right now, we have all the major hotels in full operation.\u00a0 We have Bimini Sands on South Bimini.\u00a0 We have the Big Game Fishing Club, which has recently been opened and is now operating to capacity.\u00a0 We have Bimini Bay, which has just been turned over to new management from Bimini Bay to Rock Resorts, and at the moment we have other smaller hotels, which are also doing well at this time,” said Sherrick Ellis, assistant administrator for Bimini and Cat Cay.<\/p>\n
“Mr. Lee is from Las Vegas and has been with us five weeks and we felt the impact with his presence, as far as being at the helm of the resort.\u00a0 Now we have the Bimini Big Game Club, which has recently been reopened.\u00a0 It’s now almost to capacity with full staff.\u00a0 The Big Game Club is what we call the glue to Bimini.\u00a0 It was built in the ’60’s.\u00a0 It attracts the middle class tourists that can afford the rates.\u00a0 During last year, we had a fruitful season, but the average tourist coming in to the island, we didn’t really have the room space.”<\/p>\n
In the last few years, local Biminites protested against the new developments in Northern Bimini because the relationship between residents and resort managers was not amicable.\u00a0 Since Bimini has been under new management, those issues have been resolved.<\/p>\n
“That was solved, but it was actually the natives, the local residents here and the homeowners at Bimini Bay, their relationship with management wasn’t as good with the natives and the homeowners,” said Mr. Ellis.<\/p>\n
Residents appeared to oppose the resort’s development that consumed about five sevenths of the island, which made local residents feel excluded from being involved with the development.\u00a0 However, the issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both developers and local residents.
\n“It’s been restored now since Rock International.\u00a0 We had a few meetings with the new manager, Mr. Lee, who has made a tremendous impact in the community since he came.\u00a0 He has been involved with the Tourism Board and the environmental part of the community, assisting us with heavy duty equipment, and whatever utilities we need to be assisted with, as far as keeping the island clean,” said Mr. Ellis.<\/p>\n
Bimini has always attracted vacationers looking to lose themselves in destination activities such as deep-sea diving and fishing.\u00a0 However, Local Government also recognised the benefits of supporting the upgrade of hospitality to a luxury standard and offer guests the impression, that even an island in the middle of the ocean can supply all their creature comforts.<\/p>\n
“Out of 100 percent of the yachtsmen that return to The Bahamas, 52 percent statistically came in to Bimini.\u00a0 The other 48 percent was throughout the other parts of The Bahamas,” said Mr. Ellis.<\/p>\n
“I’ll give you a figure.\u00a0 On Memorial Day weekend, we have over 800 yachts legally registered with Immigration and Customs.\u00a0 During Saturday of that weekend, we had 60 flights.\u00a0 So during that weekend last May, we had more tourists, more guests, into our island than natives.”<\/p>\n
Mr. Ellis said that Bimini has been really successful, even with the crisis period the island has felt no recession.\u00a0 People have been coming from other islands to seek employment at Bimini Bay and the recent groundbreaking ceremony last month is a sure sign of success for the island’s economy.\u00a0 Bimini Bay will be equipped with a casino, but not a golf course as originally planned.<\/p>\n
“According to the Minister of the Environment, the golf course was supposed to be taken out of the plan.\u00a0 We just had a groundbreaking on Friday for the new hotel at Bimini Bay.\u00a0 But I don’t think that a golf course will be involved with that,” said Mr. Ellis.<\/p>\n
By Gena Gibbs
\nBAHAMAS INFORMATION SERVICES<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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