Disney Cruise Line’s Plans for a second private port destination in the Bahamas is still moving full steam ahead.
The company met recently with The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation as the company continues to seek support for a proposed development at Lighthouse Point, a 700-acre property in South Eleuthera.
Disney currently has one private island in The Bahamas called Castaway Cay, but it is already used full-time by .Disney’s current fleet and with a new fleet of ships coming in 2021, 2022, and 2023, another private island would a necessity.
In a statement, the BCCEC’s explained that Disney Cruise Line President Jeff Vahle; Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment Mark R. Penning; and Vice President of Public Affairs Kim Prunty all presented at the meeting.
“Disney Cruise Line President Jeff Vahle presented chamber directors with a preliminary overview of the company’s intentions. The meeting included discussions on the project’s design and development, the economic and environmental impact on South Eleuthera, public access and conservation objectives,” according to a statement.
The One Eleuthera Foundation is opposed to the development and wants to see the area turned into a national park. They have been lobbying for the government to not allow any large development to happen at Lighthouse Point and plan to help settlements in South Eleuthera build businesses around the Lighthouse Point attraction.
The BCCEC is still opened minded about the options and plans to engage those on all sides of the argument for and against the development of the property.
“The chamber hopes to engage in further dialogue with Disney as well as other stakeholders and organizations in The Bahamas, in particular on Eleuthera, to learn more about their perspectives regarding Disney’s proposal for Lighthouse Point,” the statement said.
