Disney’s Lighthouse Point will take big influences from Bahamian culture Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s plans for a second exclusive cruise destination in the Bahamas have taken a huge step forward, after an Environmental Impact Assessment said that a development on the island would have no negative impact on terrestrial or marine life.
Expected to open in 2024, the peninsula on the island of Eleuthera has had input from former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who extensively explored the rich art and culture of the Bahamas with experts while still working at the company.
Disney Cruise Line has already completed its purchase of the land and signed agreement with the government of The Bahamas. The EIA is the latest step towards the property’s eventual development as one of the leading cruise destinations anywhere in the world.
“We have spent an unprecedented three years working hand-in-hand with a team of highly qualified and experienced scientists and other professionals,” said Dr Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science and the Environment at Disney. “We also have engaged with numerous stakeholders throughout The Bahamas, whose thoughtful feedback has enabled us to continue to evolve our plans.
“As we have said from the beginning, we will only move forward with a project at Lighthouse Point if we are able to do so in a way that aligns with our company’s deep and longstanding commitment to the environment. The EIA has confirmed this will be possible with the appropriate environmental management plan in place.”
According to the EAI, the development of Lighthouse Point isn’t expected to result in loss of terrestrial or marine biodiversity. The survey determined that almost 50 percent of the property is dominated by dry broadleaf evergreen forest, most of which will remain fully intact, with the company also noting that it will provide citizens and residents of The Bahamas with full access to the property for non-commercial purposes and will construct a public roadway through the Disney Donated Public Lands.
The investment will be worth as much as US$400m (€336m, £287.8m), with space provided for Bahamian vendors and local agricultural products. Hundreds of jobs will also be created in construction, entertainment and maintenance positions.
“For decades, the communities of Central and South Eleuthera have been promised new economic opportunities through local development, but many of them have not come to fruition for a variety of reasons,” said Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce president, Thomas Sands.
“Disney has also highlighted how it intends to make meaningful economic opportunities available directly and indirectly to the communities of Eleuthera.”
Disney’s Lighthouse Point will take big influences from Bahamian culture Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s plans for a second exclusive cruise destination in the Bahamas have taken a huge step forward, after an Environmental Impact Assessment said that a development on the island would have no negative impact on terrestrial or marine life.
Expected to open in 2024, the peninsula on the island of Eleuthera has had input from former Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde, who extensively explored the rich art and culture of the Bahamas with experts while still working at the company.
Disney Cruise Line has already completed its purchase of the land and signed agreement with the government of The Bahamas. The EIA is the latest step towards the property’s eventual development as one of the leading cruise destinations anywhere in the world.
“We have spent an unprecedented three years working hand-in-hand with a team of highly qualified and experienced scientists and other professionals,” said Dr Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science and the Environment at Disney. “We also have engaged with numerous stakeholders throughout The Bahamas, whose thoughtful feedback has enabled us to continue to evolve our plans.
“As we have said from the beginning, we will only move forward with a project at Lighthouse Point if we are able to do so in a way that aligns with our company’s deep and longstanding commitment to the environment. The EIA has confirmed this will be possible with the appropriate environmental management plan in place.”
According to the EAI, the development of Lighthouse Point isn’t expected to result in loss of terrestrial or marine biodiversity. The survey determined that almost 50 percent of the property is dominated by dry broadleaf evergreen forest, most of which will remain fully intact, with the company also noting that it will provide citizens and residents of The Bahamas with full access to the property for non-commercial purposes and will construct a public roadway through the Disney Donated Public Lands.
The investment will be worth as much as US$400m (€336m, £287.8m), with space provided for Bahamian vendors and local agricultural products. Hundreds of jobs will also be created in construction, entertainment and maintenance positions.
“For decades, the communities of Central and South Eleuthera have been promised new economic opportunities through local development, but many of them have not come to fruition for a variety of reasons,” said Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce president, Thomas Sands.
“Disney has also highlighted how it intends to make meaningful economic opportunities available directly and indirectly to the communities of Eleuthera.”
