Sandals: Allegations one-sided, false

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has signalled its intention to defend itself “vigorously” in court, saying allegations of abuse by two guests are “one-sided and missing key information.”

The allegations were raised locally by Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial, who cited a US media report that guests at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica had been sexually abused and threatened by staff members.

Sandals has held talks with the TT government about opening a resort in Tobago.

The resort chain was also accused of covering up the alleged incidents.

However, in a media release on Tuesday, SRI reiterated that its resorts are a “family operated enterprise” which follow “strict protocols” on security at its 24-resort chain.

It said, “We are proud to lead the industry with the highest guest return rate of any resort company in the western hemisphere and know that it has a direct relation to the safe and enjoyable environment that we have provided for over three decades.”

The company said its "strict security protocols, infrastructure technology and collaboration with international law enforcement and government resources" made it one of the safest resort chains operating in the Caribbean.

It described the recent allegations of cover-ups as "false and are gross misrepresentations of not only the facts but who we are and what we stand for as a leader in the industry.”

SRI said while no guest should ever experience what the women who had allegedly been attacked experienced, a story on ABC’s Good Morning America programme “did not include important and pertinent information about both cases, much of which we can’t disclose due to pending litigation.”

Referring to one complaint, SRI said there are many details missing from the alleged victim's story, “including her interactions with resort team members, her requests regarding law enforcement involvement, and her subsequent requests of the resort after her departure.”

The company also said it was surprising to hear about (accuser's name called) allegations "since we have been in contact with her multiple times over the last few months and she has indicated plans for a return visit to Sandals Resorts in 2019. We look forward to having her back.”

In response to another complaint, SRI said the woman's allegations are a “self-serving, one-sided and incomplete version of an incident reported in 2016.”

It added, “The plaintiffs have unfortunately embarked to influence the case based on their one-sided narrative in the media. Sandals intends to vigorously defend itself in court against these one-sided allegations and looks forward to presenting the full picture of all the facts and circumstances surrounding this reported incident from 2016 within the appropriate legal forum.”

THA chief secretary Kelvin Charles has said the Sandals project carded for Tobago will go through “due process” and abide by EMA rules and regulations.