The Bahamas will be home to Disney’s new $400m cruise port and entertainment facility

Disney is looking at creating another of its famous entertainment facilities around the world and this time it has its eyes set on the Caribbean. The entertainment company’s Disney Island Development Ltd came to an agreement with the Bahamas government on March 12, 2019, to invest up to US$400 million on a 190-acre land purchased at Lighthouse Point, Bannerman Town in South Eleuthera from a private seller at the cost of $6.29 million dollars.

According to Caribbean 360, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the agreement after signing for the proposed cruise port and entertainment facility to be built on the island.

As part of the agreement, Disney is expected to employ 80% of their staff from the Bahamas including during the time of the construction of the entertainment facility.

After completion, the facility is expected to create 150 jobs and give
priority to Bahamian owners and operators to provide port adventures for DCL guests while its ships are in port, and will seek to use Bahamian entertainers.

It is also expected to be accessible to all citizens and residents of The Bahamas with access for non-commercial purposes and will collaborate with Government and local communities to meaningfully contribute to initiatives that will benefit South Eleuthera youth.

The initiatives highlighted include assisting local schools, identifying and enhancing tourist heritage sites in South Eleuthera and exploring opportunities to improve medical facilities that serve the residents of south and central Eleuthera.

In his announcement, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis expressed his utter joy and satisfaction with the agreement and the benefits it would bring the country that will support the government’s plan of expanding the economy.

He went on to add that construction of the facility will only commence after the review and approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan.

The Bahamas is slowly becoming one of the top preferred islands for tourists and visitors in the Caribbean. Peaking at number 5 on the most visited Caribbean Islands in 2018, the government is working hard to improve its tourism sector and the Disney deal is a step in the right direction.