By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

ALL guests affected by Baha Mar’s delayed opening will be compensated and considered VIPs, Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs said yesterday as executives of the $3.5 billion property ran damage control.

Mr Sands said re-booking packages would be offered to guests who were scheduled to visit the West Bay Street resort, but now have to either cancel their trips or rearrange travel plans. The resort was scheduled to begin a phased opening today, but that that was delayed this week until “early May”.

“We are making every effort to reach every single guest individually no matter where they are to offer them re-booking packages that suit their individual needs,” Mr Sands told The Tribune. “This is to ensure that they do come to the Bahamas and when they do they will be considered Baha Mar’s VIP guests.”

He declined further comment.

This comes after more than 200 people, most of whom said they had made reservations to stay at the mega-resort, took to Baha Mar’s official Facebook page on Wednesday to criticise the property for its late notice over the opening delay.

Some said the news compromised their vacation plans while others expressed disappointment about having to learn about the delay “secondhand, through Facebook”, as opposed to a formal notification from the resort.

One user wrote: “So many mixed messages. When we talked with you on Sunday, it was clear that the resort was all ready, just finishing some details with workers, restaurants, etc. This message makes it sound as if the resort isn’t even physically ready yet. We re-booked for May 16th - and to be honest – I will be shocked if it happens. (I spent) 10 hours on the phone with airlines already – and I am hoping that May 16th doesn’t bring the same thing.”

On Tuesday night, Baha Mar revealed the property was not opening today as planned. A statement from the resort said the phased opening would be delayed to “early May” because of ongoing construction.

The statement said: “In setting our opening date for March 27, we relied in good faith on the representations of the resort’s construction manager and lead contractor.

“Last Friday (March 20), based on this party’s repeated assurances, Baha Mar announced that it would begin a paced opening beginning March 27 and culminating in its grand opening scheduled for early May.

“Subsequently, it has become clear that the contractor has not completed the work with an attention to detail consistent with Baha Mar standards of excellence. Anything less than a world-class facility and best-in-class guest experience is not acceptable to us.”

On Wednesday, the contractor China Construction America (CCA) Bahamas released a statement saying Baha Mar’s criticism was “wholly inappropriate.”

“While the Baha Mar project has presented many challenges, CCA (Bahamas) has responded to those challenges professionally and effectively,” the contractor said.

“The statements by the developer of the Baha Mar project laying blame upon CCA (Bahamas) for its decision to delay the announced opening of this project are wholly inappropriate and inconsistent with the history of this project.”