Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe has acknowledged that the owners of the other brands attached to the Baha Mar project - the SLS Lux, Rosewood and Grand Hyatt properties - are "very concerned" but stressed that "all players remain on deck".
Wilchcombe's remarks were perhaps an acknowledgement of the troubled history of the Baha Mar project when it comes to partners. At one time Caesar's Palace was on-board to build the mega resort's main casino property, and other brands including Westin, W and St. Regis were all one-time partners that walked away from the project.
Wilchcombe said the "time for an impasse is over" following a row between Baha Mar and its general contractor, China Construction America (CCA) over payment issues and the developer's demand for a firm opening date.
Wilchcombe told NB12 that his chief concern is ensuring a swift opening of the $3.5 billion resort, which he stressed is vital in boosting the country's tourism economy and local job creation.
"My concern is getting the resort open right now. I think whatever the sides have to work out must be worked out. [Regarding] the impasse, I think the time for that is over, they've got to find a working solution to get it all done," said the minister.
Wilchcombe touched on the concerns felt by the various hotel brands situated on the property through the Grand Hyatt, SLS Lux and Rosewood, stating that he wants to ensure that "all players remain on deck".
"Those brands are sitting on those properties, and obviously the owners and presidents of these companies are very concerned that it's going to sit idle, so what we have to do is ensure that a resolution is found, that they get this thing behind us and that we move forward.
"I believe that once that happens and a date is given, we're going to be able to change the direction and immediately get the information out there," he said, adding that the government is trying to conclude negotiations to ensure complete construction of the resort in the shortest amount of time possible.
Baha Mar, long expected to be the driving force behind the country's economic growth for the year, has already faced three delays. After initially being slated for a December 2014 opening, the project was delayed until March of this year. However, Baha Mar postponed the opening just days before the scheduled soft opening until the first week of May.
Since then, Baha Mar has cancelled all of its reservations up until August while Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian issued a letter to staff on May 1 stating that the company had yet to receive a definitive opening date from CCA.
Izmirlian has been vocal about his concerns recently, stating at the second annual Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation last month that Baha Mar had been developed "with less than ideal support and a less than best-in-class business climate".
Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed last week that the most recent spat between Baha Mar and CCA revolved around the developer's demand for an opening date for the mega resort, while CCA has remained firm that it will not offer such a date until certain payments are made.
Christie has since said that the preservation of Bahamian jobs at Baha Mar is of paramount importance. He believed the affected parties were close to reaching an agreement.
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