DESPITE FACING TWO of the most challenging years in local tourism history, the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) is encouraged by the investments involving Sandals, Four Seasons and several other entities.
Outgoing BHTA president Patricia Affonso-Dass yesterday described as “encouraging” Sandals’ decision to purchase the Almond Beach Village property and pay for its renovation to the tune of $250 million.
Stating that this would now give Government leeway to direct its loan funds elsewhere, Affonso-Dass also noted that Sandals Casuarina was undergoing massive infrastructural changes and would be an amazing property by the time it opened at the end of January 2015.
In a measured and balanced address at the BHTA’s annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Affonso-Dass said other investments were also encouraging, including Amaryllis, which has been targeted for renovation under new owner Gordon Seale; Sandy Beach which is being converted into a new condo hotel property; the development planned for Settlers Beach, as part of the group that includes Sandpiper and Coral Reef Club; and the long-awaited sale of Four Seasons.
