OUTGOING Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president Patricia Affonso-Dass has 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 the leeway to direct its loan funds elsewhere, Affonso-Dass also predicted that Sandals Casuarina, which was undergoing massive infrastructural changes, would be an amazing property by the time it opens 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 the last two years had been the most difficult in recent tourism history but she was encouraged by several investments.
These include Amaryllis, which has been targeted for renovation under new owners; Sandy Beach, which is being converted into a new condo hotel; the development planned for Settlers Beach, and the long-awaited sale of Four Seasons.
Her sentiments were echoed by BHTA’s executive vice president Sue Springer.
The incoming president is Sunil Chatrani. (RJ)
