Disney's Bahamas Island Investment

Disney has started a $24+ million expansion of Castaway Cay, its private island in Abaco Bahamas.
Disney is taking advantage of Bahamas government concessions contained under the Family Island Development Encouragement Act and Hotels Encouragement Act, according to a spokesman from the Office of the Prime Minister.
This has enabled Disney to shave $3.4 million from the total cost of the Bahamas project, which calls for a family beach, more water recreational facilities, private cabanas, several more eateries and a floating slide platform.
An expanded tram system will transport guests about the island. Only about 10 per cent of the Castaway Cay real estate has been developed to date.
A new 4,000 passenger cruise ship will be launched by 2011, tying in with the further development of Castaway Cay, which ranks high on Disney guest surveys.
According to Disney Cruise Lines spokesman Jason Lasecki, the expansion of services and infrastructure on the cay has already started. Completion is scheduled for next summer.
The new itinerary provides for more time on the Bahamas cay (pronounced “key”) in response to passenger demand.
The expansion will create five to eight additional permanent positions for qualified Bahamians, as well as some construction work.
Concessions for Disney cover building materials and heavy equipment for land clearing under the Family Island Development Encouragement Act. Disney has also capitalized on incentives for shops and restaurants under the Hotels Encouragement Act. - Source: The Tribune