Optimism for the Exuma Real Estate Market

With Sandals “100 percent” committed to the success of Emerald Bay in Exuma Bahamas, there's a lot of optimism that the real estate market will make a recovery on that southern island.
Until the last decade, Great Exuma was just another beautiful sleepy island in the Bahamas. A favourite with Bahamians, visiting boat people and a sprinkling of second home owners, but otherwise not well known.
But the market took off with the opening of the Emerald Bay resort under the management of Four Seasons, and real estate prices were almost off the chart.
Then the global recession set in, Four Seasons left and the resort went into liquidation.
But Sandals, the all-inclusive resort guru and new owner, has stayed true to its word, investing $12 million in upgrading the resort which, it says, sits on the most beautiful piece of real estate in the Bahamas.
And Adam Stewart, Sandals CEO, told The Tribune of Nassau that the company is 110 percent committed to the resort's success.
Work is being done on the infinity pool and Sandals is on target to open next January 22.
Pool, landscaping, interiors and furnishings comprise the bulk of the upgrades.
When finished, Emerald Palms will have the largest Jacuzzi in the Caribbean – besting another Sandals resort. And Emerald Palms will be the first Sandals hotel that has a dedicated butler for every room. The development will be near the top of the Sandals chain, functioning almost like a big country club.
This should have a snowball effect on Exuma.
Once visitors take in the incredible beauty of Exuma Bahamas and the easy, laid back lifestyle, they're bound to become interested in real estate in the Bahamas.
And although Sandals is all-inclusive, many job opportunities will open up for Bahamians. They'll be spin-off benefits to taxi drivers, gift shop operators and entrepreneurs.
This is all welcome news for Exuma.