Robert Sands
Robert Sands is a former president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) who has been involved in addressing tourism-related safety concerns in The Bahamas. He has been in the news for advocating the establishment of a task force to examine the issues surrounding watersports and beach activities, particularly in light of recent shark attacks that have raised alarms among tourists and locals alike.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Robert Sands is Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs, asserting that the construction work to-date only involves the seawall component.
Gomez vows to 'hold' Baha Mar to construction halt pledge
Bahamas· 2026-02-16
I met with members of the Board of the Bahamas Pharmacy Council, chaired by Robert Sands and they recognise the issues and that they have been prevalent for almost a generation.
INSIGHT: The other (secret) drug warBahamas· 2026-02-02
Robert Sands, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, criticized the merger of the Bahamas Hotel Training College with the University of The Bahamas.
Sands: Merging hotel college with UB ‘worst decision I ever made’Bahamas· 2025-12-08
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs, said the developer is 'not concerned that will be an issue'.
Baha Mar: Ex-PM to ‘hold feet to fire’ on residents’ fearsBahamas· 2025-12-06
Robert Sands, the resort’s senior vice-president of government affairs, warned that attracting skilled workers to the Family Islands may require treating Bahamian employees like expatriates.
‘Treat Bahamians like expats to entice them to Out Islands’Bahamas· 2025-12-05Robert Sands is Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government affairs who reported on the upcoming high-end resort at the Melia site.
Grand Lucayan buyer awaiting building go-ahead in early 2026Bahamas· 2025-12-05
Robert Sands, a Bahamian mariner, was awarded the silver medal of the National Life-Boat Institution for rescuing 160 passengers from the William and Mary in 1853.
ERIC WIBERG: Wrecking - A history of survival and adaptationBahamas· 2025-11-17
Robert Sands, immediate past president of the BHTA, stated that the impact of the storm on the industry would be minimal.
Hotels chief: Imelda ‘truly a non-event’Bahamas· 2025-09-30
Robert Sands is the immediate past president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association and is concerned about the new liquor certification process.
Hotels seek ‘red carpet, not red tape’ over liquorBahamas· 2025-09-29
Robert Sands is Baha Mar's senior vice-president of government and external affairs who discussed the burdens of the new licensing regime.
Window and ‘take away’ liquor sales to be banned, Govt warnsBahamas· 2025-09-26Robert Sands is the immediate past president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association.
British Colonial seeks supplier ‘flexibility’ on prices, paymentsBahamas· 2025-09-18
Robert Sands has been a vocal advocate for centralising and regularising the jet ski industry.
US Embassy - jet ski crackdown needed for visitor safetyBahamas· 2025-09-18
Robert Sands, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association, emphasizes the need for better marketing of existing attractions in the Bahamas.
‘Local sites need better marketing’Bahamas· 2025-08-21
Baha Mar Foundation chairman Robert Sands said the donation reflects the resort’s commitment to the community.
Baha Mar donates $7.5k to Humane Society after recent break-inBahamas· 2025-08-10
Robert 'Sandy' Sands, chairman of the Baha Mar Foundation, expressed pride in supporting the team.
Baha Mar Buoys & Gulls Dragon Boat Team heading to Montreal for Pan American ChampionshipsBahamas· 2025-07-04
Robert Sands, senior vice president of Baha Mar, says the resort is maintaining strong occupancy levels despite falling short of its performance targets.
Baha Mar has ‘good occupancies’ despite falling short of projections, says SandsBahamas· 2025-06-25
Robert Sands, senior vice president of government and external affairs, said the foundation considered it imperative to offer immediate support in such tragic circumstances.
Mother who lost child in fire given assistance at Baha Mar charity eventBahamas· 2025-06-25Robert Sands, the former Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association president, emphasized the need for less red tape.
Andros resorts must be ‘brain surgeon’ to manage logisticsBahamas· 2025-06-20
Robert Sands, Baha Mar's senior vice-president of government and external affairs, backed the Government's stance as outlined by Mr Davis.
Cruise private islands tax crackdown 'great first step'Bahamas· 2025-05-30Robert Sands stated that while resort industry occupancies are down slightly, there is no material difference between 2024 and 2025 numbers.
‘Back to drawing board’ on stopover visitor dropBahamas· 2025-05-06
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president, told this newspaper that the US climb down will have a 'very significant' positive impact for The Bahamas’ largest industry.
Roberts: Bahamas ‘dodged a big bullet’ as US reverses Chinese shipping feeBahamas· 2025-04-22
Robert Sands, former BHTA president, discussed the occupancy rates at Baha Mar during the Easter weekend.
Tourism faces ‘very foggy crystal ball’Bahamas· 2025-04-17Robert Sands, a senior Baha Mar executive and immediate past Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association president, is urging government intervention regarding port call fees on Chinese-made ships.
Hotelier urges ‘intervention’ over $1.5m China ship feeBahamas· 2025-04-08
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president, discussed the uncertainty facing The Bahamas' tourism industry due to Trump's tariffs.
Bahamas tourism ‘bracing’ for Trump tariffs drop-offBahamas· 2025-04-04Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president for government and external affairs, asserted that hotel booking trends and business volumes remain strong.
No ‘cry wolf’ over US growth slashBahamas· 2025-03-20
Robert Sands is Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs who commented on the airport delays.
LPIA’s ‘unusual delays’ as flights three times’ longerBahamas· 2025-03-19
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of government and external affairs, told this newspaper that the fall-out from mass US federal government lay-offs has yet to show in Bahamian hotel and tourism bookings.
Tourism bids to ‘capitalise’ on anti-Trump sentimentsBahamas· 2025-03-13
Former Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Robert Sands said the association would establish a task force to examine watersports and beach activity concerns.
Visitor bitten by shark in Exuma is third victim in less than a weekBahamas· 2025-02-14
