STATEMENT FROM SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
STATEMENT FROM SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
Following a thorough assessment this weekend of its Bahamas-based resorts, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announces that Sandals Royal Bahamian, located in Nassau, will postpone its originally scheduled October 14 re-opening and will remain closed until October 25, 2016. Sandals Emerald Bay, located in Exuma, which requires more extensive repairs than initial estimates, will officially close and reopen on December 15, 2016.
According to Tammy Gonzalez, CEO of Unique Vacations, Inc. (UVI), an affiliate of Unique Travel Corporation, worldwide representatives of Sandals Resorts, UVI is working closely with clients affected by the closure of the resorts.
“We recognize the inconvenience this presents but we are committed to delivering the quality Sandals experience our guests expect and deserve. When we reopen, it will be right.”
Impacted customers are advised as follows:
• Clients affected by the closure of Sandals Royal Bahamian or Sandals Emerald Bay will have one year to travel to the same resort at no additional cost for the resort stay.
• Clients wishing to revise to a different Sandals or Beaches Resort may do so at no additional cost for the resort when travel is completed by December 20, 2016. For travel after that date, the guest is responsible for any difference in resort cost.
• All air penalties and fees will be covered by UVI for revisions made by October 31, 2016. Fees incurred after that date, will be the responsibility of the guest.
Blackout dates apply.
Beyond the Bahamas, all Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are open and fully operational including Beaches Turks & Caicos and the company’s properties in Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and St. Lucia.
The Sandals Foundation
Sandals Resorts International’s philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation has made an initial US$150,000 donation to relief effort in Haiti and the Bahamas, Caribbean neighbors who have been hit hardest by Hurricane Matthew. This will seed a soon to be announced partnership between SRI, UVI, industry friends and guests to sustain the urgent need in these islands. To join the Sandals Foundation in its efforts, tax-deductible contributions may be made at sandalsfoundation.org
You will visit the following 4 places:
Turks and Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos is a small archipelago nation known primarily for tourism and as an offshore financial centre. It's home to incredible beaches, abundant marine life, stunning tropical wetlands, luxury resorts and fine dining. There's so much to do and discover here in paradise. Quite simply, it's the best of the Caribbean!
St Lucia
St. Lucia, known for its distinctive mountains, is an island that travellers dream about - a small, lush tropical gem that has volcanic beaches and fishing villages as well as luxurious resorts. The volcanic island of Saint Lucia is more mountainous than most Caribbean islands, and its dramatic twin coastal peaks, the Pitons, form the island's most famous landmark.
Nassau
Nassau - an attractive harbour, a colourful blend of old world and colonial architecture, and a busy port, is the capital and largest city of The Bahamas. The tropical climate and natural beauty of the Bahamas have made the city a popular tourist destination. Nassau is considered a historical stronghold of pirates.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean, located to the south of Cuba and to the west of the island of Hispaniola. It is best known for its lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Many of its all-inclusive resorts are clustered in the vibrant city, Montego Bay, with its British colonial architecture, and Negril, renowned for diving and snorkelling. Jamaica's climate is tropical, supporting diverse ecosystems with a wealth of plants and animals. Previously inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Taíno peoples, the island came under Spanish rule following the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494. Named Santiago, it remained a possession of Spain until 1655, when England (later Great Britain) conquered the island and renamed it Jamaica. Under British rule, Jamaica became a leading sugar exporter, with its plantation economy highly dependent on slaves imported from Africa, followed later by Chinese and Indian indentured labour.
