Water park planned for Morgan's Point

Designs for the Morgan’s Harbour Waterpark feature pirate ships, water slides as well as a rapid river and a wave pool.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown used his final address as Minister for Tourism to reveal the new project.

He said: “We are now in the final stages of the legal exchange of land between government and the developers of Morgan’s Point and Southlands.

“The site will be developed in phases, which includes an 80-room boutique hotel and 261 adjacent condominiums.

“There will also be a further 325 room luxury hotel, additional fractional units and a 18-hole trophy golf course with club house.

“In an effort to add to the amenities available for our visitors and locals alike, a proposal has been made by a Bermudian company to construct a themed water park on a portion of the land remaining at Morgan’s Point.

Preliminary designs

“These are early days but the preliminary designs are exciting.”

Dr. Brown also revealed that Rosewood Hotels & Resorts would become the managing operator of the Tuckers Point Hotel.

Once the agreement is finalised, the hotel will be re-named Rosewood Tucker’s Point.

John Scott, president and CEO of Rosewood, said: “We are looking forward to making this property the best hotel in the region and one of the best hotels in the world.”

Dr. Brown hinted that the world of reality television might also be coming to Bermuda saying: “We are currently reviewing a proposal that positions Bermuda very favourably in this medium.”

He also provided an update on other hotel projects that are in the pipeline at the moment.

He said the 9 Beaches resort was due to open again in 2011 while construction of the new Four Seasons Resort on the Coral Beach and Horizons site would begin in autumn 2011.

Turning to the third quarter tourism figures the Premier said Bermuda had “weathered the storm, literally”.

More than 228,000 visitors came to Bermuda between July and the end of September — an increase of three per cent.

The number of air arrivals fell just slightly compared to 2009 which was largely due to Hurricane Igor forcing the airport to be shut and flights to be cancelled.

Dr. Brown said hotel occupancy and cruise arrivals had also increased compared to last year.

He added: “The tourism turnaround from almost 20 years of decline continues.

“I leave the Ministry confident in the belief that it will be in good hands with my eventual successor.

“The tourism turnaround will continue until Bermuda is back where it belongs in the market at the top.”