“We’ve Been Fully Transparent, This Is For Bahamians”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas President, Philip Simon, says the company is standing by its promise to provide jobs for Bahamians at its beach club, currently under construction on Paradise Island.

It comes after online videos circulated, appearing to show foreign workers on the property.

But Simon says those videos don’t tell the full story.

Philip Simon – President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
“Because we always want as many Bahamians as possible. However, the companies that are there right now—the construction companies—there is ISD, there’s the Bahamas Environmental Group, Wemco Security, we have SEV, environmental monitors, we have JSS, all reputable, professional Bahamian companies that are in partnership with us in the developmental stage of the project.”

It’s not the first time Simon has defended the company’s position.

The $150 million agreement between the government and RCG has 51% owned by the company and 49% by the Bahamian people, a commitment Simon says they will keep by employing third-party companies that will take care of all the service operations at the beach club.

Philip Simon – President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
“So that means pools, pest control, maintenance, beach activities. In fact, if you go to the website, you’ll see a comprehensive list available right now until March 7 of RFB availability and options for Bahamian businesses.”

But there have been skeptics—the biggest among them, land developer Toby Smith, who’s been engulfed in a long back-and-forth over three acres of Crown land on Paradise Island.

He’s called for more transparency from RCG and the government on the project, but Simon has this question.

Philip Simon – President, Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas
“I don’t know if there’s a more transparent project out there. We are in full sight, literally at the heart of downtown Nassau. If you go to our website, you’ll see that we have done dozens of reports. We are obviously very closely monitored by everybody, by all of the relevant agencies. We have been very open in all of our conversations. I cannot imagine what else can be said.”