Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association

Grand Isle Resort & Spa has appointed Bahamian Shervin Penn as resort manager of its $100 million, luxurious 78 condo villa resort located at Emerald Bay, Great Exuma.

James Clabaugh, president of EGI Ltd, developers of the luxury property, said: "We are pleased to announce the promotion of Assistant Manager Shervin Penn to the post of resort manager.

"We know that a new era is dawning for Exuma and we believe that Shervin's appreciation of how important a superior visitor experience is will help Grand Isle retain its standing among repeat discerning guests and the many new visitors that Sandals will be bringing to Exuma."

The Bahamas Hotel Association's president yesterday said room bookings will be softer year-over-year this festive season, as revenue per available room hovers around a negative 18.9 per cent.

A judge has found the Board of Trustees for one of the British Colonial Hilton's owners "failed in their duty" to supervise investments in that property and their other Bahamian holding, the South Ocean resort, with members of its investments committee also guilty of breaching regulatory guidelines.

A small Florida airline is beginning weekly service to the Bahamas this month, with chartered flights to these islands making up 80 per cent of its itinerary, its director of operations said yesterday.