By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

TALL Pines MP Leslie Miller yesterday criticised Nicole Martin, Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union president, over her “disgraceful” comments about Baha Mar’s delayed opening.

This week, Ms Martin told the media that the resort was “selling a dream that it could not deliver”.

As he defended the resort, Mr Miller said that Ms Martin’s comments were proof that top union officials had “much to be desired” regarding their mindset toward foreign investors. He urged people now employed with Baha Mar and those to come not to join the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU).

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation executive chairman added that the project now employs several hundred people, which is expected to mushroom into several thousand. He said Baha Mar has already injected millions into The Bahamas despite the climate of the world economy. Mr Miller said the investment would without doubt benefit generations of Bahamians.

Following a story in The Tribune that Baha Mar had cancelled all pre-booked reservations through August 31, Ms Martin told a local daily that she always knew the resort was “selling a dream that it could not deliver.”

She added: “I’m hoping that they open the doors quickly because people need to work, but I believe that we were sold a bag of goods.”

Mr Miller said in response: “I think it is a total disgrace that Ms Martin would berate a mega resort that has injected so much into The Bahamas. The comments were uncalled for, bold and presumptuous.

“How could she speak ill of a company who is putting $3b in the economy? They single handedly transformed the Cable Beach strip, which has for years been in need of a dire transformation.

“Look at all the people that have been given jobs, they now have another chance to turn their lives around.”

He added: “And clearly the buildings have taken shape on the western end of the island. How can you call it a dream?”

On Tuesday The Tribune reported that several guests had criticised Baha Mar for ruining their vacations after they were informed that reservations until August 31 were cancelled.

They lambasted hotel management on a leading travel review website, TripAdvisor, claiming they were offered unsatisfactory alternative accommodations and not compensated enough for their losses.

When contacted, Robert “Sandy” Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of external and governmental affairs, said an opening date was still being discussed with Baha Mar advisors.

He spoke to this newspaper following a meeting with Prime Minister Perry Christie and Mr Sarkis Izmirlian on Monday to discuss issues surrounding Baha Mar’s repeated delays, a source confirmed.

The Tribune visited Baha Mar’s website to find the earliest available date for booking accommodations was September 8.

On another travel booking website, Expedia, only one hotel brand, the Rosewood at Baha Mar, was available at the earliest in June. The other brands, the Grant Hyatt, the SLS Lux and Baha Mar’s Casino and Hotel, showed a “sold out” status for July through to the month of August. There was no advisory on Expedia to warn potential visitors of Baha Mar’s opening delays.

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said his ministry had taken note of the “negative press” the delayed opening has sparked. He said it was important to have damage control in place with a view to counteracting any potential fallout.

However, he admitted that much of the speculation over the resort’s success is based on the inability of officials to pin down an opening date and actually meet the time line.

Baha Mar was initially expected to open last December. In January, the resort said it would open its doors to paying customers in March, but that date was delayed until “early May.”

Resort officials have not yet announced a new opening date.