Although the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort was key to landing the original and extended service from Air Canada Vacations, the service promises a lot of spinoff business for many tourism interests on the island. Local Chamber of Commerce President Floyd Armbrister said the additional airlift and the spread of businesses benefitting from it bode well for Exuma.
“It’s a good and positive thing,” Armbrister said. “And it benefits more persons and properties than Sandals. The only thing now is that local people need to make themselves available with regard to services so they can take advantage of it.”
Ministry of Tourism Director for the Central and Southern Bahamas Charity Armbrister told Guardian Business yesterday that of the flight’s 90 seats, around 45 percent were Sandals’ clients, but the balance went to other properties on the island. Nearly 30 percent of the seats on Thursday’s flight were for Hideaways at Palm Bay Beach Club, for example. According to Armbrister, overall demand for the flights from Toronto had become so strong that customers had to book far in advance for the service.
The Thursday flight is significant because, in addition to the additional airlift, it allows Toronto based customers more flexibility in planning their Exuma vacation. Guests no longer have to stay for a week, but can now build Thursday to Sunday or Sunday to Thursday vacations. It broadens the scope of customers who may consider Exuma for their vacations.
The Sandals involvement with securing the route for Exuma goes back to before the resort started taking guests on at the property.
“Sandals Resorts has a long and trusted relationship with Air Canada Vacations and even before Sandals Emerald Bay was opened to the public the decision makers at Air Canada Vacations were brought to Exuma to visit the new property and be convinced to commit to a new route direct from Toronto,” said Jeremy Mutton, General Manager Sandals Emerald Bay. “This flight was launched in March 2010 and due to it's success, last week a second weekly flight was introduced.”
Air Canada Vacations quotes customers for packages that include both air transportation and hotel stay.
A check of their website yesterday indicated that for a round-trip flight departing 26 May and returning 29 May, passengers could pay from $724 to $1,669, plus $191 in taxes, for single passenger airfare and a double occupancy accommodation. Visitors could choose to stay at one of six properties on the island, including Hideaways at Palm Bay Beach Club, Augusta Bay, Club Peace and Plenty, Grand Isle Resort & Spa, February Point Resort & Estates, and the Sandals Emerald Bay.
The new flights are a part of an overall increase in airlift to Great Exuma. Recently, American Airlines introduced further flights, bringing their total to nine per week. It also upgraded its capacity from propeller plane to jet service .
“This is the first time a jet service has been offered to any Out Island in the Bahamas,” Mutton said. “Not only does this increase the capacity, but it also offers a different mode of transportation which is particularly significant to those who are used to flying by jet and are not accustomed to smaller planes.”
Western Air also recently introduced flight service from Nassau to Exuma.
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