By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Senior FN Reporter

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe says government is in negotiations with other developers to bring more hotel rooms to Grand Bahama.

"We are spending a considerable amount of time trying to raise the number of hotel rooms here," he said, stressing the importance of getting the room inventory back up in Grand Bahama.

The island lost a considerable amount of hotel rooms in 2004 to Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne — more than 300 alone when the Crowne Plaza at the Royal Oasis Resort, the second largest on the island, was shut down.

The resort property also included a casino, hundreds of timeshare units and two signature golf courses and remains closed today.

Its closure has had a direct affect on the tourism economy as it trickled down into the neighbouring stores situated in the International Bazaar.

A number of initiatives have been undertaken in an attempt to boost tourism in Grand Bahama, however, without sufficient room inventory, the economy has struggled to remain afloat.

People are unaware that Grand Bahama has more aircraft seats than hotel rooms, Wilchcombe noted.

They will also be surprised, he added, to know that the tourism numbers are up three percent and the cruise numbers are also up.

That, he pointed out, demonstrates the demand for Grand Bahama.

The goal now is to create a stronger presence in the Canadian market and foster direct flights from New York.

But with the difficulty of limited rooms, the tourism minister said to task is to create that balance and get the rooms in Freeport, West End and East End to offer a wide range to the visitors.

"We're talking to major developers who are spending a tremendous amount of money who have given the indication that they are on the way, who have made it known to us and to the authorities that they wish to develop a hotel here and multi-purpose units in The Bahamas," he disclosed.

"Well we're working on all those things and we're also working on other industries to ensure that we're able to build a stronger economy in Grand Bahama."

Royal Oasis is a symbol, Wilchcombe said, pointing out that it was once a Kings Inn and a Princess Resort and has played a significant role over the decades.

A $40 million deal was struck between World Investment Holdings (WIH) and Lehman Brothers for the sale of the Royal Oasis resort property and, at last report, is expected to be completed by or before month end.

"We want to ensure that we get Royal Oasis up and going again. What it becomes is another question because I believe that as the new developers look at it, they're considering ways in which to improve upon it - the casino, the hotel rooms, the condominiums - all sorts of things they're thinking about doing," Wilchcombe said.

He insists that government wants the resort up and running and to ensure that more and more Bahamians have opportunities at jobs.

In doing so, the tourism affirmed that due diligence is important when it comes to considering the right investors for the country.

Admitting he has been very critical of the previous investor group (Driftwood Freeport), Wilchcombe said noting that he believed the records will show that they did not have experience in the casino.

"The due diligence was done, but we still went ahead and gave them the licence which we should not have done; which is why the casino immediately failed.

"That's the mistake we make. But I know what government was doing at the time - they wanted to create some jobs. But we've got to be careful, short-term gain for long-term pain.

Wilchcombe says Bahamians are now paying for the mistake.

"We're taking our time to do it right," he assured. "The due diligence is absolutely important, yes if you want to criticize go ahead, I prefer the criticism today, then I could smile tomorrow."

He said the prime minister's due diligence and patience is important in this exercise.