Barbados could do with “a few more” brand name hotels which Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy says bring “collateral benefit” to a destination.
“The indigenous brands have a role to play,” Sealy told the Daily Nation in an interview at Sandy Lane Hotel yesterday, “but we could do with a few more of the international brands.”
The minister acknowledged that brands “bring loyalty programmes and marketing might”, and he welcomed Marriott Courtyard due to open in a few weeks.
“ It will be great to have Marriott back on stream. It is an international brand, one of the largest brands in the world, and I am very happy about that.”
He reiterated that Government continued to work through the Barbados Tourism Investment Corporation to try to attract other international hotel chains, and said he was optimistic about the prospects.
Sealy disclosed that the corporation was also working on securing a brand name operator for the Harrison Point Hotel planned for St Lucy, noting that interest had been expressed from “a couple of different brands” to operate that property.
Hotel development is also included in the Carlisle Bay Re-development Plan, though Sealy could not say exactly where the hotel plant would be located. Meanwhile, work is scheduled to resume on Four Seasons Resort “early in the New Year”.
Sealy added that he anticipated a good cruise season, saying reports on this sector were “relatively positive” (GC)
