Buccaneers Bahamas Ltd. is hoping to develop a new type of tourism development on land at the eastern end of Arawak Cay and a portion of the Western Esplanade beach. It has presented its proposal to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) seeking approval for the lease of the land in question.

Buccaneers Bahamas spokesman Paul Fernander told Guardian Business the proposal has gone as far as OPM and the Ministry of the Environment for approval.

"Shovels cannot go into the ground until approval has been granted by Cabinet for the use of the land. With the employment situation the way it is in The Bahamas, we look forward to the approval from the Cabinet to start the development of a unique attraction that will enhance the tourism experience in the Port of Nassau," Fernander

The spokesman declined to say how much the project would cost.

Buccaneers Bahamas' proposal is to create and manage a complex including a "Pirate's Landing", "Blackbeard's Cabaret", "Nutty Pirate" and "Buccaneer Kidd's" play

"All these locations will enhance the visitors' experience by providing thrilling entertainment, a retail store, a play area for kids, daily educational presentations, a nightly cultural show and a restaurant venue near the port in Downtown Nassau," Fernander

"In the first phase we will establish a pirate theme 2,000-foot zip line ride, and a play area for kids. In the second phase we will establish a harbor view deck, a restaurant and bar, a nightly cultural dinner show, an hourly short "history" of the coconut and the sampling of its uses, especially in The Bahamas, and a retail component offering coconut arts-based and pirate-themed retail

"In the third phase we will establish a 3,000-foot zip line," Fernander explained.

Keys to success
He said the keys to the success of the venture are the proposed location, a low operating cost and the wide range of services the project will offer.

"The Buccaneers Bahamas Ltd. [development] will be strategically located to maximize the revenue derived from the millions of annual cruise ship passengers. The showcase will be in the Port of Nassau located near downtown New Providence. This is an excellent location for multi-purpose entertainment and a restaurant with live and recorded music.

"Buccaneers Bahamas will be managed specifically to maintain targeted operating ratios that allow for maximum net profits. For initial construction and build out, Buccaneers Bahamas Ltd. management will keep construction costs at a minimum. All operating expenses will be kept to a minimum, with cost of sales and margins reviewed on a monthly basis," Fernander said.

"The objective will be to maximize the revenue per visitor and extend each visitor's time spent at the venue," he added.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian