The Trinidad and Tobago government says the construction of the 750 room Sandals and Beaches Resort represents a major turning-point for the economy of Tobago.
Enhances Tobago’s tourism product
Finance Minister Colm Imbert, delivering the TT$51.7 billion national budget to Parliament on Monday said that the hotel will be owned by Trinidad and Tobago and equity partners and is in keeping with the objectives of the newly established Tobago Tourism Agency that is already developing and marketing the Tobago tourism product as a leisure-based location.
Managed by Sandals Resorts Int.
Within this framework, the Sandals Golden Grove Tobago Project represents a major turning-point for the economy of Tobago. The Sandals and Beaches Resort will be built at Buccoo/ Golden Grove,” Imbert said, adding that it will be managed and operated by Sandals Resorts International.
He said the resort will have approximately 500-750 rooms and up to 2,000 permanent employees with significant linkages to the local economy.
TT govt to earn estimated US$80 million annually
“The economic impact of Sandals will be substantial, including estimated income to the Government of US$80 million per year in taxes and other payments. The project will add significant value to the tourism industry as we continue our drive towards sustainable economic development and diversification away from oil and gas,” he said.
He said the Keith Rowley government was also at an advanced stage of securing an internationally-recognized brand operator for the Tobago-based 198 room Magdalena Grand Beach and Golf Resort, in the context of the December 31, 2018 expiry of the lease of the existing operator.
The Finance Minister said that induced demand from the two hotels will attract a higher level of airlift and that the construction of a new terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport is being undertaken utilizing a build-own lease-transfer model.
He said the construction would involve all airside infrastructure works, inclusive of apron taxi way and aircraft parking, a new car park, a new access road and modernization and upgrade of the existing terminal.
