Game changer for Tobago – reviving talks with Sandals
As he addressed the commemoration ceremony for the “practical completion” of the new ANR Robinson International Airport terminal yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley also announced his revival of discussions with the Sandals group for a resort in Tobago.
Rowley called on Tobagonians to embrace the luxury hotel chain and especially called out to Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine to “sit” with Sandals executives, as he stressed the potential benefits to the island.
Rowley, 75, resigns as PM today.
Tobago’s new airport at Crown Point, a short distance from the old facility, was yesterday touted by the PM for its key role in expanding business and improving service on the island.
Noting that yesterday was his “last working day” as he is set to officially retire today, Rowley also expressed no regrets for having entered politics at the sacrifice of his career as a scientist.
The PM called the new airport a piece of infrastructure that could be a “game changer” for Tobago but especially in tourism, as there were airlines such as Virgin Atlantic which had declined to fly to the island unless its travelling facilities were of a certain standard.
He said something had to be done to attract services such as Virgin and if there were no hotel rooms, the airlines had no reason to come to Tobago.
Boasting the new terminal rivals the best in the region, Rowley thanked line minister for the project Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan, as well Finance Minister Colm Imbert for bringing the project to fruition.
Rowley also pointed out that most of his Cabinet was in attendance, and he called on Trinidad and Tobago to receive the new facility “together”, regardless of political affiliation.
He said Tobago’s tourism was still being impacted by a lack of hotel rooms, which was a “chicken and egg situation”.
The PM said he trusted that among the benefits of the new facility to Tobago was that it would draw more investors.
He described yesterday as a special day for him and for Tobagonians, a “dream come true”.
The Prime Minister said with the new airport, Tobago was moving into a more modern era that will benefit all.
Rowley echoed the sentiments of head of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George that “first impressions last”.
George had stated earlier that he was once embarrassed at being told by a foreigner that Tobago gave bad service.
Rowley said he hoped the new airport would be a “game changer” as well for attitude.
Sandals coming?
The Prime Minister said he was “extremely saddened” that in his attempt to bring the Sandals resort chain to Tobago, the island had failed to embrace it.
He said Sandals officials had looked at Tobago and agreed it was a place they could invest.
The PM said, however, he didn’t give up even though “they left us”.
Rowley said he has again spoken to the “leadership” of the Jamaican resort.
As a result, Sandals chairman Adam Stewart has agreed to return for talks next month, he said.
Referring to a previous failed attempt to establish a Sandals in Tobago six years ago, Rowley quipped, “If I was the problem, I wouldn’t be there tomorrow.”
Rowley said Stewart will be coming to meet “Prime Minister Stuart Young” and Tobagonians.
“Especially you, Farley,” Rowley said.
He told the THA Chief Secretary that whenever Stewart arrives in Tobago “that you all sit down with him” and be salespeople for Tobago.
“Convince them to look at Tobago again and give Tobago one more Sandals project,” said Rowley.
The Prime Minister listed some Sandals locations such as Grenada and The Bahamas, saying if the resort was good enough for those places, it was good enough for Tobago.
He said Sandals was a beacon for tourists and had clientele who visited different resort locations. Rowley said Sandals also brought airlift with it.
The PM said Tobago should also be the site of a marina on par with the best in the region, as there were no facilities for boats to easily refuel and stay.
Rowley said Tobago once hosted international fishing competitions, but this activity had died because the island did not offer appropriate marina services.
When the Government set out to build the new Tobago airport at a certain scale, for a great first impression, there was a lot of “ole talk”, he recalled.
He said the ANR Robinson facility was built “for tomorrow” and pointed out that upgrades are always ongoing at large international airports.
Rowley said the Finance Minister was “continuously harassed” to ensure the completion of the new airport.
The airport was launched at the stage of “practical completion” and is not immediately ready for use by passengers.
The PM recalled that one of his first issues to deal with as prime minister was the breakdown of the T&T seabridge.
He said the two ferries being used, the Express and the Spirit, were bought second-hand and were in a state where they could hardly get insurance.
Rowley said the Government made the decision to go to the builders and purchase two new ferries by finding money to borrow.
BY: KIM BOODRAM
Game changer for Tobago – Reviving talks for Tobago
