Launching a New Era of Friendly Tourism with China
Beijing, January 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie has praised the upcoming luxury resort Baha Mar as a leading project in ushering in a new era of friendly tourism with China.
Royal Blue Golf Club
Prime Minister Christie made a three-day official visit to Beijing last week aimed at strengthening ties between the Bahamas and China. He stated that the visa-free policy for Chinese tourists and the simplification of air transport—ultimately aiming for direct flights—are both intended to boost tourism development between the two countries.
Leading this historic tourism development is the beachfront luxury resort Baha Mar. Financed with debt from the Export-Import Bank of China and built by China Construction America (CCA), a subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, this groundbreaking project brings together premier boutique hotel brands such as Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Grand Hyatt, SLS LUX, as well as the Las Vegas-style Baha Mar Casino & Hotel.TMThe resort is further enhanced by a world-class ESPA spa and a TPC-level Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.
Baha Mar Casino & Hotel Luxury Room
Baha Mar also features a massive convention center with a 2,000-seat entertainment venue. In addition, there are over 40 restaurants, bars and clubs, global luxury designer shops and local artisan boutiques, art galleries showcasing Bahamian art, exquisitely landscaped beach and pool experiences—including a seaside sanctuary featuring native Bahamian flora and fauna. The resort is set to open on March 27, 2015, on New Providence Island, just a 10-minute drive from Nassau’s newly upgraded Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Yiannis (last name not given)Sarkis Izmirlian, Chairman and CEO of Baha Mar Resort, said: “China is the fastest-growing international tourism market in the world, and Chinese travelers are curious about overseas destinations. The Bahamas is poised to become a favored destination for Chinese tourists. Baha Mar Resort is capitalizing on this trend by positioning itself as a China-friendly resort, with globally renowned hospitality brands, well-trained staff, and tailor-made travel programs to meet the expectations of discerning Chinese visitors. We are currently working with our partners in China’s tourism industry to further enhance the Chinese public's understanding of the Bahamas, making it clear that the Bahamas is a friendly and safe place with pristine natural environments and unspoiled beauty.”
Baha Mar Resort is committed to strengthening ties with China. In November 2015, Baha Mar Resort will collaborate with the Latin Trade Group to co-host the inaugural Sino-Americas Summit, a hemisphere-wide equivalent of the World Economic Forum, where political and business leaders from China, Latin America, and the Caribbean will gather to explore growth and development opportunities in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and agribusiness.
During his visit to China, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie stated that the construction of Baha Mar Resort has created thousands of jobs for locals, significantly mitigating the negative impact of the global financial crisis on employment at Baha Mar. The grand opening of Baha Mar Resort on March 27, 2015, is expected to generate over 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, injecting new momentum into the tourism sector, which is a pillar of the Bahamian economy.
Prime Minister Christie added: “China and the Bahamas share similar positions on many international and regional issues. Economically, both countries have realized that they can achieve win-win outcomes through cooperation, equality, and mutual benefit across a wide range of areas.”
He also pointed out that the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is one of only four countries in the world with a mutual visa-free policy with China. The two countries established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1997, and their relationship has grown stronger since then.。
TheBahamas is an archipelago nation composed of over 700 islands and more than 100,000 square miles of coral reefs. Located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, USA, it is an ecological oasis, boasting some of the clearest waters on Earth, as well as some of the most fascinating, exotic, and mysterious natural wonders. -- From the world’s deepest blue hole to the third-largest barrier reef, and from miles of pink-sand beaches to numerous nature reserves, visitors can enjoy a truly unique diving experience.
Resort experiences here include a variety of water sports such as kiteboarding, kayaking, surfing, island boat tours, dolphin watching, and even possible shark encounters. The beauty of the Bahamas goes far beyond these extraordinary natural wonders, encompassing the warm hospitality of the Bahamian people. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has even launched a free “People-To-People Experience,” where Chinese visitors can be paired with a Bahamian tourism ambassador to learn about local culture and lifestyle.