Sandals Grande. Photo by Chris H, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — If you’ve come to the Caribbean on vacation, chances are you’ve stayed at a Sandals resort, the regional chain of all-inclusives started by Jamaican businessman Gordon “Butch” Stewart. The ever-expanding franchise had been in negotiations with the Trinidad and Tobago government to open a resort on the island of Tobago, until news broke on January 15, 2019, that the company was “pulling out”.
Although the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding on October 10, 2017, no contracts were forthcoming — and according to Sandals, “the cumulative effect of the negative narratives” surrounding the 700+ room hotel was the deciding factor in its decision to opt out.
With Sandals’ exit, high hopes for diversifying the country’s economy with the help of a successful tourism brand were dashed. Trinidad and Tobago’s gross domestic product still leans heavily towards the energy industry; diminishing oil and natural gas resources have prompted successive governments to peddle the idea of diversification. Now, many are saying it’s all talk and no action, and blame is flying every which way.
