Tyler Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey Know Buying Bahamian Island is a Real Estate Coup

Not so fast. Deals like those are a thing of the past. While the Islands of the Bahamas minister of tourism and aviation, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, welcomes tourists and expatriates who are interested in buying vacation homes, he quickly informs that this slice of heaven is not for sale.

He explained, “We believe this is the golden age of Bahamas. Most people think of the Bahamas as just Nassau and Paradise Island. They are only 2 percent of the Bahamas’ land mass. The Bahamas has more islands, more beaches and territorial waters than the rest of the Caribbean combined.” Seven hundred to be exact. While life in the Islands of the Bahamas just keeps getting better, “The islands are not for sale!” Vanderpool-Wallace exclaims.

During his visit to Atlanta, his highness and U.S. ambassador Nicole Avant hosted more than 300 of Atlanta’s scenesters at Tyler Perry Studios. It was a consolation prize for those who missed the star-studded grand opening of the 200,000-square-foot studio complex more than two years ago.

The invitation-only affair, “Bahamas in ATL,” was held on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The evening was filled with high-energy live performances by Bahamian natives and gourmet delights inspired by Bahamian chef Andrew Moss, including conch salad, conch fritters, coconut shrimp, fresh fruit, seafood canapés, star fruit, miniature pineapple upside down cakes and so much more. The open bar offered your choice of wine and the nation’s signature Bahama Mama cocktail. Guests also enjoyed a short film highlighting the benefits of the Islands of the Bahamas in a plush, red velvet theater with stadium seating and mingled in the common area underneath a cabana draped in white sheer curtains.

The red carpet was walked by a host of Atlanta’s finest from Trumpet Foundation’s founder Xernona Clayton and Spelman College president Dr. Beverly Tatum to advertising executive Kent Matlock, Atlanta Daily World‘s Portia Scott and many other notables in music, film, television, sports, business and government.

Tyler Perry, who owns one of the nation’s 700 islands and filmed Why Did I Get Married Too? on the island of Eleuthera, made a cameo appearance.

Do your research if you’re interested in making a major real estate investment with a great financial return before time runs out. –yvette caslin