Page 19 - Sphere No.19 (Jun 2007)

SPHERE 17
The idyllic Our Lucaya
Beach & Golf Resort
on Grand Bahama
reflects HWL’s
commitment to
investing in one
of the world’s
leading tourist
destinations.
The colonial heritage is everywhere, from Fort Montagu in the
east to the imposing Fort Charlotte that overlooks Nassau Har-
bour, both constructed to discourage enemy forces from landing.
But it is Bay Street where Nassau comes alive. Luxury stores and
restaurants compete for space with international banks and law
firms while the Pirates of Nassau museum is a reminder of days
when more unscrupulous forces held sway in these parts.
Outside the capital lies a stunning variety of island destinations of-
feringvisitors every imaginableactivity, fromscubadivingandsailing
to banana boat rides, beauty salons and palm-fringed golf courses.
The Bahamas gained independence from Britain in 1973 and
has since emerged as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
This quiet paradise with a population of little more than 300,000
may at first glance seem an unlikely investment environment for a
conglomerate like Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL). Look a
little closer, however, and themutual attraction becomes as clear as
the waters that lap the 700-island archipelago’s famous beaches.
While the Bahamas attracts fivemillion visitors a year, it has also