In the midst of heated general election campaigning in T&T, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) is moving full steam ahead in constructing a five-star hotel on the island. The cost of the mega project is in excess of US$20 million.
The hotel, to be called Indigo Bay, is located in the serene village of Lambeau and would be the first of its kind in Tobago. Work on the hotel stopped prematurely about two years ago. Christopher James, THTA vice-president, who confirmed yesterday that work had resumed, said the hotel would accommodate 79 suites in its first phase—expected to be completed within a 12-month period—and 150 when the project is completed. The completion date is scheduled for June 2011.
James described the initiative as a step in the right direction, as there was an increased demand for high-end hotels in Tobago. “Tobago has been asked for the last few years to provide additional high-end rooms. We have a demand by the airlines to increase the frequency of the flights. Virgin, Monarch and others want to go up to two flights a week to increase their economies of scale and we need high-end rooms to fill the front of the aircraft.
“This is also good for the existing rooms in Tobago as we will have more airline seats altogether.” James said the hotel would present “great employment opportunities” for locals. “Tobago has some of the highest inputs from local suppliers, so the additional staff needed for running the hotel, as well as all the suppliers will benefit. Also, high-end tourists spend more per head in restaurants, on tours, etc.”
THA green lights project
Orville London, Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly (THA), said the THA had given the THTA the green light to construct the five-star hotel, as it was committed to showcasing the island as a preferred tourist attraction. “There is definitely a demand for high-end rooms in Tobago and therefore something like this is going to increase the marketability of the destination. Employment opportunities, both in the construction and operational fields, also exist, as hundreds of jobs will be created though this project.”
London said the THA was intensifying its marketing efforts in its aim to attract more “high-end investors.” “This is in keeping with the THA’s vision. We want Tobago to be a niche market. Therefore, the high end market is where we have to go.” London disclosed that plans were to construct at least two additional five star hotels in Tobago in the future. “Over the last week, a company got the go ahead to use Courland Estate, which is owned by the THA, to build a hotel which I believe would also be five star.”
By: Cherisse Moe
Via: Trinidad Guardian