Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Executive Chairman Adam Stewart has described as productive, this week’s meeting with Government and local stakeholders in Tobago, spawned by an invitation from the prime minister, to explore a proposal for the development of a resort on the island.

“Our recent meeting in Tobago was very positive, and we are humbled by the invitation to take a deeper look and have meaningful engagement with our friends in Tobago as we continue to celebrate and shape the future of the Caribbean,” said Stewart, who is also executive chairman of the Jamaica Observer.

“The rhythm of Trinidad and Tobago is truly undeniable. Its culture resonates deeply and uniquely, leaving a lasting impression,” he added.

Stewart and a team from the multiple award-winning resort chain met with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young, Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) leader Watson Duke, and various stakeholders on Monday.

The meeting, which lasted for more than three hours, was held at the prime minister’s official residence in Bleinheim, Tobago.

Addressing a news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in Scarborough following the meeting, Young said Stewart delivered a passionate and powerful presentation outlining what Sandals can offer, including potential benefits such as economic growth, employment opportunities, and increased airlift capacity.

The prime minister told journalists that Sandals was invited to return to the negotiating table and submit a fresh proposal for the development of a resort in Tobago, and that businesswoman Dianne Hadad delivered an emotional apology to Stewart and his team for the events in the past that led to Sandals withdrawing from Tobago.

Young said Stewart replied, “Listen, bygones are bygones… let us get on with it. This is a clean slate.”

The prime minister said Stewart thanked the group for the invitation to return and disclosed that Sandals currently has five hotel investment projects under way across the Caribbean.

“I told him, make Tobago the sixth,” Young said and expressed hope that Sandals would make a positive decision to include Tobago among its branded destination packages and invest in the island.

“This is a good development. Sometimes, God gives you a second opportunity at something,” the prime minister said. “Sometimes when you are given a second opportunity, what you do is you look at what happened in the past. If you have to pivot, if you have to make certain directional changes, you do so.”

He said that he intends to do everything in his power to secure future investment in Tobago.

“Our position — Central Government’s position — is that the development and investments in Tobago are priority for us as a Government. I certainly intend to continue that. But also that it was important that the people of Tobago as the various stakeholders — the farmers, the fishermen, the taxi operators as well as business people, the business sector, the hotel association of Tobago — participate in any discussion that I was going to have along with the members of the Central Government with Mr Adam Stewart and the Sandals Group,” the prime minister told journalists.

He said a resolution was crafted by the Tobago stakeholders, with legal input from himself, stating that there was a collective agreement “that it is in the best interest of Tobago to invite the Sandals group for discussions and negotiations regarding the possible establishment of a Sandals resort in Tobago, should they so desire”.

Young said that PDP leader Duke and All Tobago Fisherfolk Association President Curtis Douglas had left before the resolution was signed but, prior to departing, extended an invitation to Stewart to meet with them and their constituents in Trinidad.

Asked by journalists whether any deadlines were agreed on at the meeting, Young said none were given to Sandals. He acknowledged that a general election is three weeks away and that the first step is for Sandals to consider re-engaging with Tobago.

Young reiterated that he was pleased with the collaboration between all parties, noting that the talks resulted in “a positive development and a step in the right direction for Tobago and the people of Tobago”.

“It was an excellent conversation that dominated the room,” Young said, adding that after hearing from all the stakeholders, Stewart and his executives were invited to give them a presentation.

He said that while the presentation was not specifically for Tobago, it showed what Sandals could do and the benefits the resort chain could bring to Tobago.

He said Stewart pointed to the opening of a Sandals resort in St Vincent and the Grenadines last March which resulted in increased airlift with major carriers such as American Airlines now flying there, more than once a day on some occasions.

“The amount of positive growth that was generated from that, I honestly wish that every citizen of T&T and most importantly, you the Tobagonians, could have seen that presentation,” the prime minister said.

He said the representatives were shown that Sandals “spent 735 hours last year on prime time international television” to highlight all the Caribbean islands in which it operates resorts.

He told the news conference that at the end of the meeting Stewart shared that he had always loved Trinidad and Tobago and “has had a particular passion for Tobago”.

In his further reaction to the meeting Stewart told the Observer, “Sandals is proud to be a Caribbean organisation, committed to the promotion and development of Caribbean people and economies. We see this as a tremendous opportunity to showcase the richness of our culture and the vibrant, multi-dimensional spirit that defines our region.”

He added: “Our new, award-winning global advertising campaign, ‘Made of Caribbean’, captures the essence of islands we call home in a powerful and captivating way. The strong message ‘Champions of the Caribbean, ambassadors of its heritage, drivers of its future’ brings to life the soul, beauty, and heartbeat of this region like never before.”

He said that at the end of the meeting he reiterated his love and respect for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.