Baha Mar appoints head of new Asia office

Thu, Jan 9th 2014, 11:57 AM

Recognizing that the Asian market accounts for "large" amounts of outbound tourism, Baha Mar has made the decision to open up an office in Hong Kong.
Robert Sands, the resort's senior vice president of administration and external affairs, told Guardian Business yesterday he believes the company's latest move will generate "tremendous dividends for the future of Baha Mar".
Baha Mar announced that Gregory Djerejian, executive vice president, will head the company's new Asia business development operations to be located in Hong Kong. The new office in Jardine House is located in the heart of Hong Kong's central business district.
Sands said that for too long The Bahamas has been dependent on the U.S. to generate tourism-related business. With Baha Mar opening in December, he said it puts the country in a unique position to take advantage of other markets, adding that the decision to do so is "the right thing to do and a very prudent one".
"Certainly, Asia has been pivotal in the success of many touristic destinations and is also the contributor of large amounts of outbound tourism to many global destinations like Europe, the United States and Australia. Now The Bahamas is going to be getting a piece of the pie," according to Sands.
"Diversification is so important. We have been U.S.-centric both as a destination and as a company in the past. And we have not taken any real advantage of new, emerging markets."
In a press statement issued by the company on Wednesday, Baha Mar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sarkis Izmirlian revealed that Djerejian will oversee Baha Mar's Asia development interests, including travel and tourism partnerships, and working with its gaming partner Global Gaming Asset Management on developing Baha Mar's Asian clientele, as well as with other brand and strategic partners in Asia.
Djerejian said: "Chinese and Asian outbound tourism will be one of the defining industry trends of our time. We are extremely keen to establish Baha Mar as a 'China- and Asia-friendly' destination in close collaboration with our many hospitality, governmental and strategic partners active in the region."
Baha Mar, scheduled to open in December 2014, is set on 3,000 feet of white sand beach. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, with 1,000 rooms, is the centerpiece of the resort, and includes a 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino - the largest in the Caribbean region. A 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 700-room Melia? hotel, a 300-room Mondrian and a 200-room Rosewood hotel are also part of the resort.
Amenities will include an 18-hole, 72-par championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course; 200,000 square feet of combined state-of-the-art convention facilities including a 2,000-seat performing arts center and an art gallery; more than 30 restaurants, nightclubs and bars; two spas, including the 30,000-square-foot destination ESPA at Baha Mar; designer retail boutiques; a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna; 14 distinctive pool experiences and a private island.

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