More Development For St. Kitts – Nevis Tourism
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
September 24, 2009 (CUOPM)
Construction the US$860 million Cockleshell Bay Development, which will be home of a 125-room Park Hyatt Resort and Spa and a 100-condominium Park Hyatt Residence on St. Kitts’ Southeast Peninsula represents another important milestone in the transformation of the St. Kitts and Nevis economy in the context of the post-sugar era.
The development on 153 acres of land on Cockleshell Bay also includes construction of 86 Estate Villas and the Cockleshell Bay Marina Village with a 160-slip marina and 234 condominium and Town homes.
“This multi-million-dollar resort project will in years to come be of great mutual benefit to the investors and to St. Kitts and Nevis. In spite of the global economic and financial challenges, the investors have been very visionary, thinking far ahead and are investing wisely in what has been described as an excellent product,” said Prime Minister Douglas who signed a development agreement between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the St. Michaels Foundation Limited.
In welcoming officials of the Hyatt chain to St. Kitts, Prime Minister Douglas, who is also the Minister of Tourism, expressed confidence that the partnership will result in the building of a partnership to develop high-end tourism accommodation here on St. Kitts.
“Tourism is a highly competitive industry, and the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, the St. Kitts Hotel and Tourism Association and other stakeholders will continue to be proactive and creative, even with the constraints of our own limited resources. It is well understood that collaboration among tourism stakeholders, locally and regionally, is very critical as we move forward over the next few years,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said that achieving success is always challenging and rewarding and Park Hyatt Resorts and the St. Michael’s Foundation Limited, bring a wealth of experience to this project.
“When completed, I am sure that guests of this resort will find the very best in amenities and the highest standards in service, support facilities and island activities. I am confident that the experience of its guests will entice them to become repeat visitors, if not future investors on the island,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government is cognisant of the importance of sustaining a strong foundation for tourism growth and development.
“Our strategies include people empowerment and human resource development, strategic niche marketing and environmental and heritage protection,” said Dr. Douglas.
He said his government which has been successful in attracting scheduled direct flights into the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport from Miami, New York, Philadelphia, South Carolina, Atlanta and London.
“We will continue to improve the airlift from our main international markets, and in fact will shortly sign an agreement with British Airways for a second weekly schedule service to start March next year from London-Gatwick,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He said that the development of sports tourism continues and entrepreneurship in a wide range of tourism related services and products are encouraged.
“The future is promising, and it is important that we all work together to achieve our national aspirations for our beloved Federation. We strongly believe that a vibrant diversified economy is the best way forward, especially through these challenging times,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who used the opportunity to express thanks to all investors – local, regional and international, “who have demonstrated their full confidence in a stable and progressive nation, small as we are, but beautiful St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“I want to thank all those who have been engaged in the project from its inception. Chris has mentioned a few and I would also like to mention as well the Hon. Dwyer Astaphan who was then our minister of tourism when this project was first conceived and so we thank all who have been engaged and who will become fully engaged in the future of this development. Finally, I again welcome our newest international investors to the country and bid them best wishes for a successful project, and safety during the construction phase.”
Construction of the marina is schedule to begin in January 2010 and the resort in November 2010. The project also includes the several amenities including a casino, four restaurants, tennis courts and swimming pools. The hotel, marina and the Park Hyatt Residences are to be completed by 2013 and the Marina Village and Estate Villas by 2015.