St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, Hon. Carlos James is delighted to extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Sandals Resorts International as they establish their presence in our beautiful island nation. This exciting development marks a significant step forward in our continued efforts to bolster tourism and enhance the economic prosperity of SVG.
Sandals Resorts International recently announced the opening of the brand’s eighteenth resort in the Caribbean at Buccament Bay, on mainland St. Vincent scheduled for March 27th, 2024. Minister James embraced the news of this prestigious brand in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and anticipates increased visitors from the USA, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines main market. “Americans have shown great confidence in our destination, and this is evidenced by year-over-year increases in visitor arrivals from the USA,” said Minister James. “With increased airlift on the horizon, access to our multi-island destination will give Americans more options to fly to SVG and we welcome Sandals 300–room property to our list of ultra luxury and exclusive offerings, and this will add significant value to our tourism product”.
The Tourism Minster expressed his optimism about the numerous benefits that Sandals Hotels will bring to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He highlighted the anticipation of a positive spill-off effect, which will not only benefit the hospitality sector but also have a far-reaching impact on various other industries within the country.
Furthermore, Minister James emphasized the potential increase in the sale of local produce. Sandals’ commitment to sourcing food and other products locally, will undoubtedly boost our agricultural sector, leading to higher sales of fish, fruits, vegetables, and other locally sourced items. This aligns perfectly with our government’s efforts to support local farmers and producers.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines is on the cusp of an exciting 2024. In addition to the 300-room Sandals property, a 93-room Holiday Inn Express is scheduled to also open in the coming year, just in time for the announcement that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will host five matches of the International Cricket Council (ICC) championship in June 2024. Additionally, construction for Marriott Hotels on mainland St. Vincent is scheduled to start next year.
Minister James said, “St. Vincent and the Grenadines, known for its high-end exclusive luxury offerings on the Grenadine islands, is now opening its mainland, St. Vincent, as a major tourism hub.” Currently, the only Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Soho House in the Caribbean operate on Canouan, and Mustique is known for its high-end villas. Petit St. Vincent Resort and Palm Island Resort offer luxury and seclusion and a string of boutique hotels in the multi-island destination provide exclusive accommodation.
In conclusion, the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Carlos James extends his heartfelt appreciation to Sandals Resorts International for choosing St. Vincent and the Grenadines as their destination of choice. He is confident that this collaboration will not only elevate our tourism industry but also contribute significantly to the economic development and prosperity of our beautiful island nation.
