by Brian Major
Last updated: 5:50 PM ET, Wed June 22, 2016
PHOTO: Sandals Resorts is negotiating for a new resort in Trinidad & Tobago. Shown here is Trinidad's Bamboo Cathedral. (photo by Brian Major)
Officials at all-inclusive resort operator Sandals Resorts International (SRI) confirmed Tuesday the firm is in negotiations to launch what would be its first resort in Trinidad & Tobago. But last week's announcement of the plan by the country's prime minster drew immediate questions and some opposition from some local residents and tourism stakeholders.
Dr. Keith Rowley, prime minister of the dual-island nation, announced at a political meeting last week that his administration is negotiating with SRI for a 750-room resort on Tobago. A SRI spokesperson said Tuesday "I can confirm Sandals is in discussions with the government and looks forward to the prospect of bringing its brands to the destination."
Bell called Tobago tourism a "basket case" plagued by a small, outdated airport, a lack of quality accommodation options, few direct flights from major gateways, insufficient tourism incentives and "a complete absence" of destination brand promotion.
Despite Bell's views, Trinidad & Tobago has a recent track record of tourism success. The destination hosted 439,749 overnight visitors in 2015 according to Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) data, a 6.6 percent increase over 2014.
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