Sandals predicts ‘windfall’ for small hotels

Sandals has promised Tobago small hoteliers big benefits with the coming of the much anticipated 750-room Sandals Resort. In a media release last Tuesday, the Caribbean hotel giant said there will be a “windfall” for all of Tobago, with small hoteliers benefiting from increased economic activity, global marketing of Tobago and an exponential increase in airlift.

The release stated, “not everyone who arrives on the flights we attract will stay at Sandals, indeed many will seek other options, creating a significant increase in business for the smaller hotels.”

Sandals added, “We make every effort to promote and utilize local ingredients in our restaurants. From fresh fruit and vegetables to rum, eggs, chicken and other meat, it is always sourced locally first. It is because of these linkages many small enterprises have been able to flourish and have grown into successful businesses on their own, hiring additional staff and generating their own activity. Our downstream impact is significant.”

Sandals stressed that this applies to every island the resort operates on, and Tobago will be no exception.

They also denied rumours that they import all resources, claiming they make all attempt to source local food and supplies. According to the release, 90 percent of the food served at the Sandals Resort in Jamaica is local and they make every effort to source and utilize local ingredients.

“It is because of these linkages many small enterprises have been able to flourish and have grown into successful businesses on their own, hiring additional staff and generating their own activity. Our downstream impact is significant. This applies to every territory where we operate. It’s no secret that there are challenges with the quantities we require and the quality, however we take it upon ourselves, as we did recently in Grenada, to work with local farmers to help them deliver produce that is of an acceptable quality. In fact our local purchases in Grenada and Saint Lucia have all increased significantly.

“Indeed our internal mandate is to always buy local where possible, and we are proud that Sandals has set the standard when it comes to engaging our local farmers, taxi drivers, entertainers, tour operators and small business persons, including those who make craft and clothing.”