By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama is primed for a tourism “turnaround”, with the 400-room Reef Village targeted for a November 2013 opening.

Obie Wilchcombe, minister of tourism, said the Sunwing Travel Groupand its Blue Diamond Resorts brand would be key in reviving the island’s struggling economy and creating around 1,000 jobs.

He added that more jobs would result when a new operator takes over the Grand Lucayan’s casino.

Tourism director-general, David Johnson, confirmed to Tribune Business that Sunwing would be starting Grand Bahama services with six flights a week beginning in late November.

“We are increasing the capacity by almost 1,000 beds on Grand Bahama, and they are a very focused marketing company with their operation and aircraft,” he said.

“We are quite comfortable that they will make a big difference and help turn around Grand Bahama’s tourism.”

Mr Johnson added that Delta is expected to increase its frequency from once a week into Freeport to a weekly service in November. The airline is also expected to offer three times a week service into Exuma.

“We’re putting plans in gear for winter. We’re very optimistic and, meanwhile, we will promote very strongly the sets we have from now until winter,” said Mr Johnson.

Mr Wilchcombe stressed that more airlift to the Bahamas was needed, adding that an additional 400,000 seats would be needed to supplement Baha Mar.

He said the Bahamas was doing well in the group business sector, an area he said this jurisdiction should capitalise on further in the coming years.

“The cruise industry has done extremely well, but what’s concerning the cruise industry today is the crime. They have issued warnings on the cruise ships and they have asked their passengers to be very careful,” said Mr Wilchombe.

He added that himself, as well as the Commissioner of Police, had met with cruise ship executives to address their concerns.

Mr Wilchcombe said the Bahamas needed to move ahead with its new gaming legislation sooner rather than later if it wanted to remain competitive in that arena.

The Minister added, though, that the Driftwood/Royal Oasis fiasco had hurt the island “tremendously”.

“When we look back we will see that Driftwood was one of the worst decisions ever made in the tourism industry because it hurt Grand Bahama tremendously,” said Mr Wilchcombe during his 2013-2014 Budget communication, adding, “We must make decisions that will allow for sustainability.”

Driftwood took over the former Princess properties in 2000, but after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne severely damaged the resort in 2004, Driftwood the company pocketed the insurance proceeds and closed the hotel, leaving some 1,300 workers displaced.