Last Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009 : 6:58 PM
Home / News _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
News
Sealy: Tourism focus now
on north-west
Published on: 6/23/2009.
MINISTER OF TOURISM Richard Sealy says Government has identifed the north-west corridor of the island, as an area for greater tourism development.
Sealy is confident tourism projects planned for the island's north coast will increase the economic and tourism activity in that "northern corridor" .
Speaking to the media during last Friday's official opening of Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa in Maynards, St Peter, Sealy pointed to a number of private/public sector tourism projects on stream in the north, among them a marina at Six Mens Bay, and a major tourism project at Harrison's Point where Rosewood Hotels and Resorts is scheduled to build a five-star resort on 82 acres.
The mixed-use property will comprise condominiums, a hotel, shops and other resort-related facilities. It is a Government-private sector venture.
Though Sealy said that the project was "not moving as fast as we would like" because of the current global economic conditions, he pointed out it was still on stream.
In addition,he said the marina at Six Mens Bay was supposed to start later this year.
Sealy said Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa fitted in well with the Government's plans for the north, and he welcomed the inland hotel which he said should meet the new visitor need for a "different holiday experience".
While regretting the demise of Villa Nova Hotel in St John, the minister maintained there was still scope for inland hotels.
"I think it (Sugar Cane Club Hotel and Spa) is a remarkable and welcome addition to the hotel plant in Barbados", he said, adding that the whole concept of taking a vacation and basing it merely on a beach experience had "expired".
The former 23-room Sugar Cane Club has been renovated at a cost of $12 million. There are now 41 suites, a penthouse and two private villas, as well as a host of art and sporting facilities.
Owner Bernie Weatherhead said the hotel was now a boutique hotel with a personable atmosphere, designed to attract a different type of clientele. (GC)
"Tourism is changing, trends are changing, people are no longer travelling merely for sun, sand and sea. Today's traveller is looking for an experience," Weatherhead said. (GC)
6 comment found!
Summer Camp : 7/9/2009
Why haven't the persons benn paid for the Easter Camp and the Minister expects them to run summer camps? Why hasn't the public seen posters for the summer camp as was the case for the easter? When will everyone be paid, including the guys who worked putting up the posters all around Barbados? Maybe the Ministry of Family Youth & Sports needs a good shaking up.
Tourism : 6/23/2009
I wholeheartedly agree with the comments here. Why not refurbish what we have that is in disrepair. Why do we keep plowing up Barbados for Botique Hotels, and other such notions. 82 acres is a lot of land for another hotel. Please stop the madness...
cOMMON SENSE DEVELOPMENT. : 6/23/2009
It is folly to say that tourism is moving away from the beach experience. Think carefully, this is what draws our tourist because this is what is missing in their homeland. They are so joyous at this experience that they are oblivious to the dangers also. Mr Weatherhead is simply justifying the fact that he doesn't own a beach front property. There is room for development without another marina and what about the proximity to each other. Wouldn't they be too close for comfort. The developers, Planning Department/Government keep missing the point that there is dangers in repeatedly interfering with the coastline. It is taking away more than the sand as mentioned in Gabby's song. WE NEED COMMONSENSE DEVELOPMENT. DUMB
Tourism focus on North West : 6/23/2009
I must say that Bajans are more thrilled and lovestruck with the European and Northamerican ideas implemented in our island that it is shameful. Instead of refurbishing and restoring our own historical culture, we allow these people to come in and remake our island. They are just creating a concrete facade. We really don't need 2 marinas in Barbados. We should make sure we preserve our beaches for the bajan public and keep our island beautiful. It is time that the government not allow these non-bajans to come in and change our island to their tastes. What are we going to have left of good old Barbados to show our young people and future generations. Can we go to the United States and change their historical images. What ever happened to our historical values and laws?
Harrison Point : 6/23/2009
If the government has plans for the north of the island, besides Harrison's Point why not take a look at the old North Point Resort which is in disrepair for so many years and make something of it. It's a shame to let it sit there and nothing is being done about it. I also think the Government should take a look at the sad shape of Sam Lords on the other side of the island and try to do something about it, i am sure it can be transformed back to the what it used to be.
what a farce : 6/23/2009
what ever happened to presrving the character os six men's? Why does little Barbados need two marinas? I wonder if I will ever live to see the days when bajans preserve and respect qunitessential aspects of our culture as opposed to the fascination with creating huge ugly concrete monstrosities
TODAY'S CARTOONS
11/18/2009
Most Emailed Stories
'Young boy' full of love (11/13/2009)Report: Barbados least corrupt in region (11/18/2009)Pop star flies in family (11/13/2009)$600m resort hits snag(11/13/2009)Experts: Don't cut bonuses(11/19/2009)Tortured teen back home(11/15/2009)Angel in The City(11/15/2009)NOT ALL GLOOM(11/17/2009)BBC to launch FM station in Barbados (11/18/2009)
 |