Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas recently described Sandals’ purchase of the former La Source as “a potential game-changer for our tourism industry”.
He went on to say that the entry of resort company Sandals to Grenada’s market was “a tide that could lift all boats”.
I think he is right, perhaps in more ways than we can initially anticipate.
What is remarkable about this deal is the timing, which must make it at least a Guinness Book Of Records candidate for the quickest hotel acquisition ever.
It was reported that La Source only closed around October 19, when 150 workers were laid off, yet within three weeks the government of Grenada “facilitated [Sandals’] investment with a package of incentives” while other administrations around the region hesitated, procrastinated and, some even imply, might have adopted a form of hibernation akin to prolonged sleep.
Perhaps galvanized by the negative consequences of revenue and employment losses and the danger of possibly losing airlift, someone picked up the phone and made the move.
Among the immediate benefits of the arrangement are massive media destination awareness coverage, reaching millions of people worldwide without it costing the Grenada Board of Tourism a single cent.
With a projected reopening date of December 15, it will give a huge boost to the critical upcoming winter season. Many loyal Sandals clients will also want to sample the brand in a new and exciting location.
And as Prime Minister Thomas so astutely observed, he was pleased at the “promise of the transfer of skills to Grenadians and an improvement of service in the industry”.
Sandals founder Gordon “Butch” Stewart has indicated his intention to take the renamed Sandals La Source Grenada Resort and Spa from its current 100 rooms up to 265 guest rooms, private cottages and bungalows over the course of the next ten years – many of which will be concierge- and butler-level, including the brand’s signature Rondoval suites.
As this happens, employment will grow and there will be a positive trickle-down effect on the entire local economy.
Stewart wasted no time with an announcement and images already posted on the corporate website for the travel trade and consumers to see all around the globe.
It appears a total win-win situation for everybody and kudos should naturally go to all those who made it possible.
It is difficult not to draw a comparison with the Almond Beach Village situation, where no happy conclusion seems to be in sight seven months after closure and the loss of nearly 500 jobs.
Already we are suffering the negative effects of reduced airlift and as further time goes by, it will become even more difficult to reopen the property in its rapidly deteriorating condition.
If it gets to the point where upgrading the existing plant becomes unviable, we all know just how long it would take to rebuild and open a superior alternative.
For those who can recall, Almond Casuarina provided a classic example of that scenario.
• Adrian Loveridge is a hotelier of four decades’ standing.
