Bridgetown.
Several hoteliers are calling on Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy, to urgently clarify whether and how they can access the generous concessions offered to the Sandals Group.
This is despite the Minister’s insistence over the weekend that the handling of the Sandals matter has been very transparent.
Sealy told reporters that Sandals was being given “benefits on food and beverage, based on the fact that it was an all inclusive property, and on the basis of level of investment involved.
The Minister also said that “the bar was)set for anyone who wants to open an all-inclusive hotel with that level of investment.
However several hoteliers are claiming, that given the $500 million dollar investment threshold mentioned, they are not certain they would be able to qualify.
They say they have no problem whatsoever with the Sandals Group, and are discussing the matter among themselves.
Several hoteliers have expressed the view that an uneven playing field is being created which threatens the very survival of their businesses.
