Above: the signing ceremony in San Salvador

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Club Med is expanding its resort on the Bahamian island of San Salvador, following the signing of an agreement with the government.

Club Med, the government and Sand and Ocean Investments Limited signed an agreement Monday that will pave the way for a $90 million refurbishment and expansion project at Columbus Isle Village and on adjacent land.

Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said the investment would “not only transform the economy of San Salvador but also impact and undoubtedly attract other development and employment in the southeastern Bahamas.”

The project, which is slated to begin shortly, will include the refurbishment of guest rooms, buildings and grounds, the creation of a spa, the updating of restaurants and the mechanical plant.

It will also add 360 new luxury condominium-hotel units and staff housing, which will be built in phases, the government said.

The project will be financed by Sand and Ocean and operated by Club Med.

“We are doing this in Bimini, in Grand Bahama, in New Providence, in Eleuthera, in Exuma and now in the Southeastern Bahamas in San Salvador,” Christie said. “There is more to come in further resort development now being planned.”

Sand and Ocean is also planning to build a 125-room boutique hotel to be managed by a “European luxury resort operator,” the government said.

All of the projects are expected to be completed within four years, with a minimum of 250 Bahamians to be employed upon completion.

Christie said further upgrades were also necessary at the airport, including a terminal expansion.

“The government, through the Ministry of Tourism, will work cooperatively with the developers to promote and support airlift for the benefit of San Salvador as a destination,” Christie said. “A determined and focused effort will be made through the National Training Programme to increase Bahamian employment and to provide a high level of service for the upgraded and expanded resort.”