01 FEB 2019: Sandals’ Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos Islands will close for an ‘indefinite’ period from the start of 2021. In a statement, Sandals said the closure is the result of ‘several critical and long-standing issues which have impacted our operations over the past several years’.
The Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will initially close from September 3 to October 15, 2019 and then from September 7 to October 22, 2020.
Then it will close indefinitely from 2021.
“Guests travelling between now and January 2021 that are not impacted by these closures will receive the vacation experience that we have become known for. All features and facilities of the resort will be open and operating per usual,” the company said.
“For impacted guests, we are committed to making this as seamless as possible by allowing them to change their travel dates or travel on their original travel dates to one of our other locations.”
“Guests may also choose to travel to any of our 16 Sandals Resorts,” the statement said.
Sandals will also cover flight change fees.
Chairman Butch Stewart posted on Instagram, “Over the last several years, we have made a concerted effort to resolve critical issues in relation to the operations on the island. Because we cannot come to a resolution locally, beginning January of 2021, the resort will close until further notice.”
Turks & Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson refused to divulge the issues involved, but did say it is not tied to any unpaid tax.
In a statement she also said, “I assure the people of the TCI that this matter will be settled in the very best interest of all the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I ask those employees of Beaches, taxi drivers, other hotel operators, airline agents and airline workers who contacted me frantically for representation to know that they are being held in highest consideration.”
Beaches is the largest resort on the Turks & Caicos with over 750 rooms.
According to local media the tax amount in dispute is about $60 million.