Residents React To Potential Sale of Lucayan Resort

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GRAND BAHAMA, THE BAHAMAS – Prime Minister Philip Davis has confirmed that the sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort could be finalized in about two weeks.

You may recall that the Minnis administration purchased the Grand Bahama resort from Hutchison Whampoa in August 2018 for over $60 million, with hopes of quickly selling the once-thriving property. However, that sale did not materialize.

Following the victory of the Davis administration in 2021, the government also attempted to sell the resort, but that deal ultimately fell through. Now, Prime Minister Davis says they are engaged in intense discussions with a new prospective buyer.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister
“And the issue for us, of course, is to ensure that we just don’t sell for selling’s sake or to tick a box. We want to make sure that when we sell, we want a world-class brand name to be associated with the reopening.”

Skepticism from residents

Eight Mile Rock resident Perry Martin is skeptical about the announcement. He says he’s heard similar promises before and doesn’t have high hopes this time around.

Perry Martin – Grand Bahama resident
“The only thing that would convince me is when I see the owners on-site and they start renovating, ’cause for the last five years, every different month, something’s supposed to start up there, and it ain’t start yet. They need to start it right away. So when that happens, I’ll give anyone credit who’s in power.”

These Grand Bahama residents say they too have been hearing about the potential sale for years.

Mr. Delva – Grand Bahama resident
“Until I hear the money is in the bank… I don’t have much expectation. Like I said, we will just wait and see. I certainly hope whoever buys the hotel has the capability to develop it because it’s a wonderful property.”

Jacqueline Brown – Grand Bahama resident
“It would be a good thing if it actually happens, one, and two, if it’s for the people.”

Joseph Darville – Grand Bahama resident
“I think we have been disappointed in so many ways and so many times on the potential of something happening and it not happening. I think before they sit down to sign anything, we should be assured that it’s substantial, it’s real, and it’s going to happen.”

Grand Bahama residents are hopeful that a successful sale would breathe new life into the local economy.

Lynae Wilchombe – Grand Bahama resident
“I think it will really spark the economy, bring the life back to the island.”

Charles Moss – Grand Bahama resident
“It’ll be good if it happens because we really need to have that hotel, we need the airport, and we need the hotel. We need those things going simultaneously.”

Challenges with the Airport

The sale of the Grand Lucayan Resort, along with the Grand Bahama International Airport—which was severely damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019—has been identified as essential for restoring the island to its former glory.

Recently, Tourism and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper announced that plans for the airport terminal are currently on hold while the government assesses the future use of the old international terminal. Prime Minister Davis informed reporters Thursday that the development is moving along slower than expected.

Joseph Darville – Grand Bahama resident
“We just need the powers that be to be very serious about doing what’s needed to be done in Grand Bahama. You ride around GB and it’s like a dead city sometimes. We need to bring it back to life. We are dying to have the glory that was once Grand Bahama.”