FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Vendors at the International Bazaar, the famed shopping complex in Grand Bahama, are encouraged by the news that the Royal Oasis Resort’s owner, Harcourt Development Company, promises to pump an estimated $400 million in the resort’s revitalization.
According to some merchants, business at the Bazaar has been steadily declining since the closure of the nearby resort in 2004, following Hurricane Frances.
Harcourt has vowed to bring a major international casino and hotel operator to run the resort, which is expected to translate into increased tourism and employment.
For Glendina Sutherland, an employee at Paradise Jewels, the news couldn’t come at a better time.
"Right now we’re surviving. It’s been like raindrops. Drop. Drop. The Bahamian customers, they keep us open," Ms. Sutherland told the Journal on Tuesday.
"But we know…that the hotel and casino [once they open] we’ll have a lot of tourists, and more people…through the bazaar – more money making, more life, more laughter. We’ll see the effects once they start doing the work because the workers support the business also," she said.
Daylinda Smith, a sales supervisor, said it has been a tough three years, but everything happens for a reason.
"There has been a big drop off in business for the Bazaar and [many] vendors have since closed, but God ordained time and season and this is the time for the Bazaar to bounce back. We’re now looking forward to a hopeful future," she said.
Carol Curry, a straw vendor who said she has had a stall for 40 years, told the Journal she has remained optimistic through the past three years and is happy to finally hear the good news that the resort will reopen.
"Now that the Royal Oasis is already sold in 2008/2009 we should [see an] upswing. I hope it [gets] better for us because it’s been tough. Now and then the tour buses bring a couple of tourists to the Perfume Factory and a couple of stores in the middle, but it’s real slow in this area, real slow," Mrs. Curry said.
Another veteran straw vendor, Beverly Rahming, also welcomed the news that the resort will reopen soon.
But she said, "The people could come in and we still not make any money, so we cannot blame anyone.
"It’s very good that it’s [opening] because a lot of natives will get jobs. I can understand that, but on the tourist side, people can come with their money and if we don’t seek God’s face, they will go right back with their money."
Harcourt said in a press release last week that it intends to hire 1,000 people across varied disciplines to construct, refurbish, manage and operate the resort.
More than 1,000 people lost their job when the Royal Oasis closed.
Harcourt said that when extended and renovated, the resort will be home to a new hotel, casino, convention/meeting facilities, spa, fitness centre, food and beverage, retail, recreation and a host of other amenities.
The golf courses will also be restored to their former glory, the company said. |
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