A top hotel executive has warned of ‘casualties’ in the Bahamas hospitality sector if airlift cannot keep pace with resort developments.
Speaking specifically about Nassau and New Providence, George Markantonis, Brookfield Hospitality’s president and managing director said it was counterproductive to build new accommodations it there is not a corresponding increase in flights to the Bahamas.
"Everyone can move ahead and build as many rooms as they want in Nassau but if we do not have the commensurate airlift, there will be casualties," he said.
"It all comes down to one thing – that is airlift."
Answering questions about whether other high profile developments like the Baha Mar and the recent takeover of the British Colonial Hilton Hotel will impact Brookfield’s Atlantis resort, Markantonis said there is room for everyone so long as flight capacity grows at a similar pace.
Citing the Thanksgiving holiday as an example he said: "There is not enough airlift in the Bahamas and to the Bahamas, and not enough in the US. The ticket prices are exorbitant. We have tried to see if we could charter private planes to fly people in over Thanksgiving, and can’t even get a charter. The airlines have already secured them all."
Current available data predicts an extra 400,000 inbound airline seats are needed annually to keep pace with hotel and resort room growth.
