Tuesday, February 9, 2010

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Travel industry chiefs cast eye over Sandals By Scott Armstrong ~ Guardian Business Editor ~ scott@nasguard.com: Heavy hitters from the US and Canadian travel industries have given the new Sandals resort in Great Exuma top marks, just one week after it officially opened its doors. The all-butler Emerald Bay opened last Friday after a $20 million makeover, and this week some of the most influential people from the US travel industry have flown to the resort to cast their critical eye over the development. Stephen Hector, Group International PR Manager for Sandals and Beaches Resorts, said: "Last week we were showing round radio broadcasters from the US and Canada and following that we have hosted representatives from the travel industry. "They have been very excited by what they have seen and are very impress. We are talking about some heavy hitters from the industry, the real movers and shakers, so it was important they see what has been created here." Some 350 employees are employed at the resort, at least 300 of them Bahamian, many of them previous Four Seasons staff who have returned to the fold under the new company. The Four Seasons closed its doors at the End of May, and Sandals completed its purchase in August, construction began in September. Now, less than five months later, the new resort is open with five restaurants, three fresh water pools, including a new one acre pool which is the largest in the Caribbean. Hector said the resort's occupancy for February was set to be "very high" while a spokesperson for Air Canada Vacations said it had had a good response to its new direct service from Toronto to Great Exuma. Thursday January 28, 2010