Paradise Island Proposal has two Major Investors Taking Sides 

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, April 6, 2023 – There have been debates in the media on the Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) $100 million project and Atlantis has been at the forefront as of recently, speaking out against it. In what seems to be a response to the unrest over the past couple of weeks surrounding the project, Royal Caribbean has revealed that in the coming weeks, they will share not only the economic benefit of the project but also its impact on the environment; they say that they are moving through the Government’s strict environmental processes and that in the pending review, Bahamians will be privy to their innovative and industry-leading plans.

According to Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, they have been paying keen attention to the project since it was proposed in 2020.

However, it wasn’t until recently that they opted to “join the debate” and publicly speak out on some of their concerns.

This is due to the environmental concerns of Paradise Island upon the execution of the project.

In a memo to employees at the resort, Oswell pointed out that the possible impact of the project on the Paradise Island’s beaches, marine life, and water supply could be catastrophic if the necessary environmental controls are not carefully planned and executed.

As stated by Oswell, Atlantis prioritises environmental care.

“As the leader of tourism for The Bahamas and long-time stewards of the ocean and its marine life, caring for the environment has become part of our DNA. It is at the core of who we are and what we do.”

Not only that, but Atlantis is also at risk according to Oswell who highlighted that whatever happens on Paradise Island could negatively impact the guests and employees.

Atlantis and environmental groups have been concerned about whether the project’s review, and approval process will follow all the necessary protocols to ensure that the marine environment doesn’t suffer. Information on how the project will unfold and its impact (the plans), has not been available.

Oswell said that in 2021 they attended a public presentation on the project alongside other interested entities, and they submitted some questions to RCI and the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), regarding the project but no responses were forthcoming.

RCI and the Government, in early March, hinted that the project was close to approval and this led to Atlantis Resort and “others in the Nassau/Paradise Island community,” to speak out in surprise and concern, acknowledging those lingering unanswered questions.

In response to this, Phillip Davis, Bahamas Prime Minister expressed that the review process which includes the evaluation of the environmental impact assessment ‘was still underway, and would be thorough.”

Hoping that the Government will keep its word, many wait in eager anticipation, the release of RCI’s plan for the Royal Beach Club project at Paradise Island.