Employment of nationals at all levels critical to Labour Government says PM Douglas, country updated on Christophe Harbour Development
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Part of the lands for the Christophe Harbour Development (Photo by Erasmus Williams)
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BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, (CUOPM) – Government says that the employment of nationals at all levels including entry, middle and senior management positions, is a priority for his governing St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration.
Updating the nation on the progress of the planned multi-billion dollar five-star resort on the South East Peninsula at his recent Press Conference, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas said that 71 percent of the 28 persons presently on staff at Auberge Firesky are citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Christophe Harbour on the South East Peninsula is a joint venture by Kiawah Development Partners Inc., and Auberge Firesky.
Auberge and the Mandarin Oriental resorts are to be constructed on the South East Peninsula, zoned since the 1980’s for tourism development, but for decades “nothing whatsoever has been happening in this area of the country,” noted Prime Minister Douglas.
“It was a pleasant place for nationals and non-nationals alike to visit, of course, but it was generating neither the employment opportunities that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis need, nor the revenue flows to the treasury that are, after-all, the over-riding purpose of having a tourism industry to begin with,” said Dr. Douglas.
The Prime Minister disclosed that 30 representatives consisting of architects, interior designers, and investors, as well as officials of Auberge Firesky and the Mandarin hotel chains have just left St. Kitts after reviewing the conceptual plans for the Auberge Resort at Sandy Bank and the Mandarin Resort at Majors Bay. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Sales and Marketing efforts were also reviewed at this time, as well as details of the optimal location of main buildings, spas, and other facilities. The Sales Team has advised my government that several reservations are already in place - that is, monies have begun being deposited by travelers who are interested in being guests and patrons of these two hotels,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader.
He said that the Construction and Project Management Team for the Mandarin Hotel should be relocating to St. Kitts in approximately one month’s time. It is the same company that constructed the Atlantis in The Bahamas.
The Mandarin Oriental will comprise of 125 hotel rooms, as well as varied real estate options, ranging from one-bedroom cottages to four bedroom villas. The Auberge Resort will be comprised of 62 hotel rooms and additional real estate options will range from one-bedroom cottages to larger villas. Each resort will have spas, a range of dining options, and other amenities.
Civil works on the infrastructure, as well as construction on the Auberge and the Mandarin hotels are all expected to commence within the next three to four months. The entire project is estimated to cost between US$550 million and US$600 million, or between EC$1.5 billion and EC$1.6 billion.
Current projections indicate that, upon completion, some 500 persons will be employed by these two high-end hotels, and that the majority of these persons will be citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, said Prime Minister Douglas who further disclosed that the Beach House at Turtle Beach is scheduled to open in a few weeks, with four cottages. Several Kittitians and Nevisians have been interviewed for new jobs that will shortly become available.
“Most importantly, several Kittitians and Nevisians have already found employment there,” said Dr. Douglas.
