The finished product projected by Sandals Resorts International (SRI) will put St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) on the world stage as one of the top tourism destinations in the world.  

 This promise has been made by Chairman of SRI, Adam Stewart, who spoke to prospective workers on Wednesday during a visit to the site of the proposed Beaches Resort in Buccament.  

 “We are just so excited about being in your beautiful country,” Stewart said.

He shared that Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves, invited him to SVG a few years ago, “and it was love at first sight.” noting that it was the natural beauty of SVG and the vibe of its people that spurred the desire to build the facility.  

 “…And people keep asking me, ‘why St. Vincent?’ It’s just one of these things when you know you know, and it just feels right, and we are going to do something here for tourism that is truly, truly incredible,” Stewart said.
 
 SRI has embarked on an initiative to train 500 Vincentians in their style of hospitality, taking them to Sandals locations within the region.  

 Stewart said that after the training, persons can either return home, or stay with SRI in other islands in the Caribbean.  

 “We had a lovely visit today with the team from Sandals led by Adam Stewart,” the Finance Minister said.  

 The future site of Beaches SVG is the failed Buccama Bay Resort. SRI is hoping to open the facility in February 2023, with construction expecting to begin in August/September.  

 Beaches SVG is expected to employ more than 1000 staffers and will be the first Beaches Resort in the Eastern Caribbean. 

 Gonsalves said during the recent visit, that SRI discussed the site plan, completion dates, advertising, airlift, investments, employment, working with the neighbouring villages and communities, and linkages with local farmers and fisherfolk.  

 The Sandals team also met with the Prime Minister, and some of the successful applicants to their programme of hiring 500 Vincentians to work at regional Sandals/Beaches resorts. 

“This investment of over US$100 million will produce a 350-room resort, a conference facility, first-class amenities, and hire over 1,000 workers.  

 “Site clearing has begun, and full construction activity will begin in September. This is an exciting development,” Gonsalves said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.  

Tourism Minister, Carlos James and Central Leeward Parliamentary Representative, Orando Brewster, were also present during the visit.