Four Seasons Exuma Bahamas Shuts Doors

Four Seasons Exuma resort in the Bahamas closed last week as was first announced nearly a month ago. The Bahamas’ Cabinet Office said in a statement that most of the resort’s 500 workers would be dismissed within 30 days of the announcement.

The statement said “some staff will be retained for the transition period to new ownership,” and the government is helping the search for investment to acquire and reopen the hotel.

The resort is part of a 500-acre development that includes a marina and golf course. In June 2007, the owner of the master development, EBR Holdings Ltd., was unable to meet its debt obligations and it was placed into receivership.

In its own a statement, Toronto-based Four Seasons said it has agreed to an orderly closure and “it is unlikely that the hotel will reopen as a Four Seasons.” Other major Bahamas resorts have recently announced layoffs as the global economic situation impacts tourism across the Caribbean.

In January, the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Our Lucaya Resort said 181 employees, or about 18 percent of its beachfront work force, were let go. Atlantis resort dismissed approximately 800 staffers this season, and Baha Mar Resorts Ltd. laid off some 80 employees at two Bahamas locations.