Hall supports Wyndham’s plans for development of Sam Lord’s castle

Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, Dr. Kerry Hall, is confident that the new Wyndham Sam Lord’s Castle resort will add to the sustainability of the island’s tourism sector.

She highlighted that along with its cutting edge technology, the “responsible indulgence” features and the employment and quality room stock it will bring to the island, the “might of the Wyndham brand” will also fall on Barbados, adding to the continued success of the tourism product.

“Wyndham embodies everything that we set out to do to create a tourism industry that redounds to the benefit of the Barbadian economy and the Barbadian people,” she said.

Pointing out that the state-of-the-art resort will cater to the needs of present and future travellers, she admitted that Barbados had not been strong in developing a product for millennials – those in their 20s and 30s looking for cutting edge, exciting hotels –, but would now be able to do so through the new St. Philip plant.

“They are also catering to the multi-generational families that are travelling – that is a trend that is dominating the industry and the Wyndham is a multi-faceted property that will speak to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events)… We will be dealing with ‘honeymooners’, we will be dealing with ‘foodies’, who are looking to experience unique and authentic culinary experiences, so they will be strengthening the linkages not only with our agricultural sector, but the cultural industries, the manufacturing sector, the educational sector as it will be working very closely with TVET, the University of the West Indies, and secondary schools to ensure that we train the skills of the future leaders of this country.

“So they are not just coming in and putting up a hotel and just deriving the benefits from Barbados – they are giving back to Barbadian society,” she continued.

In addition, she assured anyone concerned that the history of the hotel and the rich culture of the island will be incorporated into the new resort. She made the comments yesterday at the Barbados Tourism Investment Incorporated office in the Old Town Hall building. (JMB)