Major infrastructural developments in the tourism industry underway
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Friday 15 October 2010 – Tourism officials are looking forward to the completion of several development projects in the Industry.
Among the key hotel developments on island is the opening of the new Hotel Chocolat, scheduled for later this year.
The Jalousie Plantation is also undergoing a US$100 million enhancement to re-brand and relaunch as “The Tides Sugar Beach”, in 2011.
Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Honourable Allan Chastanet, says all of these developments will ensure that the island sustains the high level of growth in tourism next year and beyond.
“We are not expecting to see double-digit growth next year but we are expecting to maintain the growth that we have been able to achieve this year. We think we are already putting the industry in a position to see another huge increase in growth in 2012. We are expecting the Jalousie property to open up as the New Tides. There is also the expectation that Sandals and Coconut Bay will be increasing their room stock. We are also very hopeful that we will see some movement on the Le Paradis hotel. These developments are expected to come into fruition in 2012.”
Recently, the Royal by Rex Resort announced it will undergo a full multi-million-dollar renovation.
The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is finishing a $500,000 refurbishment to 20 of its stylish and expansive villas, whilst The Landings is earmarked to add additional rooms to its plant next year.
The Tourism Minister has also disclosed that government is in the process of finalizing an agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and its consortium group for the redevelopment of the northern end of the Castries Wharf.
“I am really hoping that early next year we will start seeing the breakdown of the old fire station and some of the other buildings in the Jeremy Street area so that the North Wharf redevelopment will start. We are also in the advanced stage of discussions pertaining to regrading the development of Point Seraphine; where the Castries Yacht Services used to be will be the second phase of the Castries port redevelopment project. The timing really needs to be now because Castries is looking tired and other ports are doing a really good job with upgrades. If we want to remain as a key destination for the cruise lines, it is going to require that we make that level of investment.”
By next year Saint Lucia will also boast having anew thirty thousand (30,000 )square foot casino scheduled to open in January in the Rodney Bay Village.
The casino, the first on the island, will feature three hundred and fifty (350)slot machines and fourteen (14) game tables. The Casino, which will be fully opened soon, is housed in the Baywalk Mall.
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