Declaring that tourism is on the upswing in Eleuthera, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that phase one of the Cotton Bay development in South Eleuthera is 75 percent complete and the developers have already invested $90 million to date.
"The resort aims to re-establish the legacy of the jet-setting families of the 50s, 60s and 70s that frequented the club community, making them homes away from home," said Christie at the Eleuthera Business Outlook at Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina.
"Cotton Bay will feature world-class golf courses that will attract golf enthusiasts from the world over. It will offer luxurious amenities, including two oceanfront hotel sites managed by Noble House Hotels and Resorts.
"To continue to enhance tourism on the island and support the Cotton Bay development, particular attention will be given to airlift in South Eleuthera."
The prime minister said Cotton Bay is a good example of a development that attracted the interest and investment of Bahamians. Franklyn Wilson serves as chairman of Eleuthera Properties Ltd.
Christie also reported, "We are well advanced in our negotiations with the Samiento and Four Seasons interests for a Four Seasons branded luxury resort also here in South Eleuthera.
"My professional advisors will meet again next week with Four Seasons representatives with a view to wrapping up the terms of a Heads of Agreement for approval by the National Economic Council."
Christie said from January to December 2013 a total of 249,017 visitors came to Eleuthera.
"However, I feel that we can improve on this number and will improve on it with the development of a few new resorts on the island," he said.
Christie said that as an island, Eleuthera continues to embrace its role as a leader in hospitality and position itself for major revitalization.
That revitalization has already begun, with developments such as The Cove, and Eleutherans are reaping the benefits, he said.
"However, there is much more that is being done to ensure significant growth in Eleuthera, and the government is continuously working to make Eleuthera a first choice destination for tourists, both foreign and domestic," Christie said.
"While the government will necessarily play a pivotal role going forward, there is no question that dedicated efforts must also be deployed by the private sector to further the development of Eleuthera's economy and community."
Christie said as Eleuthera grows, the right course must be charted for responsible engagement with these treasures. Such beauty should not and must not be spoiled in the name of advancement.
The prime minister encouraged Bahamians with roots in Eleuthera to build second homes and to resettle in Eleuthera.
"We see this happening in places like Governor's Harbour, Palmetto Point, Windermere and other parts of the Island," he said.
"In addition to building homes there are business opportunities to be embraced and community programs in which to become engaged."
Renaissance
Pointing to the ongoing development of the Bahamas Agricultural and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) in North Andros, the prime minister said this revitalization of farming is meant to impact all islands.
"In Eleuthera, we are looking to reintroduce large scale production of the world-famous sugarloaf pineapple," he said.
"This revitalization will help to significantly impact the Eleutheran economy and it will also support a thriving tourism economy.
"In fact, the revitalization of farming can go a long way in supporting all types of tourism. In the story of the sugarloaf, there are exact reasons why the pineapple export failed, all having to do with the cost of production.
"We hope to find innovative ways of mitigating costs and modern ways of increasing production to meet the demands of smaller hotels and resorts.
"Specifically, my government would like to see and support the re-establishment and re-imagining of the pineapple industry in Eleuthera. And we would like similar re-visioning to be done for all agriculture in Eleuthera."
He said while the course for tourism is set and bodes well for the economy of Eleuthera, there are other developments and changes that will and must happen to ensure growth in Eleuthera.
The building of a new hospital in Palmetto Point will go a long way in serving and supporting the immediate community and populations for the whole Island, the prime minister said.
He said the land has already been acquired with plans being drawn for a hospital that meets local and international standards.
"This should provide a boost for meeting the basic medical needs of residents and visitors alike," Christie added.
"While we work towards an economic renaissance in Eleuthera, we must remember that the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality throughout the world.
"As a significant part of engaging the hospitality community in the revitalization of Eleuthera, the government's National Training Programme is gearing up to train locals.
"This program will help to facilitate the education and skills development of the workforce with extensive training initiatives and standardization of service levels. Upon successful completion, persons will be provided with valid certification."
The prime minister declared, "With help from the government, public private partnerships and significant investment from both Bahamians and foreigners, this island is on a course headed for major economic growth. For this growth we require the cooperation of the entire Eleutheran community to stay the course."

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