Bahamian Government, People's Republic Of China To Allow Reciprocal Visa Waivers

NASSAU, The Bahamas, Dec. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Baha Mar, the $3.5 billion integrated casino resort development, today applauded the mutual agreement by the Government of The Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the People's Republic of China (PRC) that will allow mutual 30-day access to Bahamian and Chinese passport holders without requiring a visa.

"This is a great step forward in stimulating Chinese tourism to The Bahamas, and diversifying the country's global tourism base," said Sarkis D. Izmirlian, Baha Mar's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "It's particularly exciting for Baha Mar, which will be more accessible to Chinese customers seeking a world-class integrated resort experience amid the unique beauty of the Bahamian Riviera."

His Excellency Yuan Guisen, Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, said, "The signing of the Agreement will further facilitate the ever-broadening cooperation in all fields and people-to-people exchanges between China and The Bahamas."

The agreement was signed today in a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nassau, and lays the foundation for attracting international visitors to Baha Mar when it opens in December 2014.

The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, the centerpiece of the development, will feature a Las Vegas-style experience with 100,000 square feet of casino space, 1,500 slots and 150 table games. Pending gaming regulatory changes currently under consideration by the Bahamian Parliament would allow Baha Mar to offer many cutting-edge gaming amenities, including private VIP gaming salons; internet gaming; mobile gaming; in-play sports betting; and the newest and most popular slot machines.

About Baha Mar

Baha Mar, which is scheduled to open in December 2014, is set on 3,000 feet of white-sand beach just 12 minutes from Nassau's newly expanded Lynden Pindling International Airport.  The resort will feature an elite collection of hotel brands with gaming, entertainment, private residences, shopping and natural attractions that reflect an authentic Bahamian experience. The Baha Mar Casino & Hotel, with 1,000 rooms, is the centerpiece of the resort, and includes a 100,000-square-foot Las Vegas-style casino – the largest in the Caribbean region. A 700-room Grand Hyatt, a 300-room Mondrian, and the 200-room Rosewood Hotels & Resorts® and the 694-room Melia complete the extraordinary accommodations at Baha Mar.  

Amenities will include the 18-hole, 72-par championship Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Baha Mar, 200,000 square feet of combined state-of-the-art convention facilities including a 2,000-seat performing arts center and an art gallery with the largest curated collection of Bahamian art; more than 30 restaurants, nightclubs and bars; two spas, including the 30,000-square-foot destination spa ESPA at Baha Mar; designer retail boutiques, a beachfront sanctuary with native Bahamian flora and fauna,14 distinctive pool experiences and a private island.

For more information, please visit www.bahamar.com

SOURCE Baha Mar