Formal launch of major tourism initiative in St. Vincent & the Grenadines

by Nelson A. King

Tuesday, February 10, 2004

NEW YORK, USA: Tourism in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be getting an unprecedented, massive shot in the arm from American real estate mogul Donald Trump and a group of high-profile partners in the hospitality and real estate industries. 

The government of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Trump Corporation, Raffles International Hotel and Resorts, the Moorings Yacht Charters, American Airlines/American Eagle, and Canouan Resorts Development have collaborated in transforming Canouan Island - one of 32 islands and cays that comprise the 150-square-mile island-nation - into a major, multifaceted vacation destination.

With much fanfare, they officially announced the partnership Thursday evening in midtown Manhattan.

"I'm very, very pleased to be here this evening to be part of the formal launch of what we call, in short language, the real estate end of the Canouan business," said Dr. Gonsalves, who headed a six-member, high-powered government delegation.

The delegation also comprised the energetic Tourism Minister René Baptiste; Senator Edwin Snagg, who is responsible for Grenadines Affairs in the Prime Minister's office; United States Ambassador Ellsworth John; New York Tourism representative Celia Ross; and Finance Ministry economist Adolpheus Laidlow.

"We have brought together a remarkable partnership between a democratic state and the best in every single area of the business," the prime minister said, identifying all of the partners in the enterprise. "I am very, very pleased to note that Donald Trump (head of Trump Corporation) is personally interested in Canouan, and also his son is very much involved in the exercise. It means that the business will get a lot of real personal attention, a lot of detail will be looked at." 

Baptiste, who the next day headed for Taiwan, said afterwards in an interview that she was extremely happy that "Trump has played his card well."

"It's a vote of confidence for the investment climate in St. Vincent and the Grenadines," she said. "I believe we're on the right track. We're now the envy of the rest of the world."

Trump, who is undertaking his first business foray in the Caribbean, expressed gratitude to all parties for signing the deal.

He said that the Trump International 18-hole championship golf course, with a breathtaking view of the pristine Caribbean Sea at every hole, and his luxury villas will be "the most beautiful in the world."

"I just want to really thank everybody," he said, " and working with this group is going to be an absolute pleasure for many years to come. It's going to be a tremendous success. No doubt about it." 

Trump Island Villas will consist of opulent villas and estate properties set on 1,000 acres of lush mountainous terrain.

Sales of the villas are scheduled to begin this summer with prices starting at US$1 million for the Golf Villas and US $2.7 million for the Estate properties. 

On completion of all phases of the project, Canouan Island will have a total of 30 Golf and Beach Villas, 18 Monte Carlo Villas, 20 Marine Villas and 67 Estate homes.

Trump will also manage the resort's European-style casino, Trump Club Privee.

The resort, set on 300 acres of a 1, 200-acre private estate, has also attracted Raffles International Hotel and Resorts, which, like Trump, is venturing into the Caribbean for the very first time. 

The Raffles Holdings group owns/manages 36 hotels in 31 destinations in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North and South America.

On Canouan, the company will manage the 156-room luxury resort, formerly known as Carenage Bay, as well as Raffles' Amrita Spa.

Singaporean-born Jennie Chua, president and CEO of Raffles Holdings Ltd. said that Raffles Resort Canouan Island will join the company's exclusive collection of award-winning luxury hotels, such as the flagship Raffles Hotel Singapore and Raffles L'Ermitage Beverly Hills.

"We will do our best," she said. "We'll certainly make your guests (Canouan Resorts Development) feel very good. And, after they stay with us, they must find a villa."

Lex Raas - president of the Moorings, considered the world's most highly regarded yacht charter and yacht management company - said that he was very proud to be involved in "the most dynamic team of international leaders," who are promoting "a very beautiful destination - Canouan."

"We are honored to be involved," he said, noting that the Moorings has been operating on Canouan for the past 15 months, becoming the second of 27 yachting destinations in the world.

"That is quite solid, "he added. "Never have we experienced such explosive growth."

He said that Canouan offers the three most important business ingredients: "location, accessibility and boat." 

Moorings vacation packages include bareboat (sail-it- yourself) yacht charters, flotilla cruises (sailing together with a lead yacht) and crewed yacht charters (with professional captain and chef).

Gonsalves described the Moorings' phenomenal take-off on Canouan, in a relatively short period of time, as "simply out of this world."

He attributed the company's remarkable success to Canouan's uniqueness, pointing out that the waters around the island and its sister Grenadine islands are considered "the best sailing ground anywhere in the world."

He said that the state will be collaborating with the Moorings in constructing a marina at the southern tip of the island.

The Vincentian leader also lauded the efforts of American Airlines/American Eagle for making travel to Canouan much easier.

Tom Glason, vice president of American Airlines, said that he was very thrilled that his company is part of the enterprise.

"We all believe that Canouan is one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean," he said. "Whenever we think of Canouan, we think of a peaceful, pristine - noted for its beauty and enchanting landscape. 

Four years ago, American Eagle began services to Canouan from its Caribbean hub in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Glason said that American Airlines/American Eagle is working hard in making the Canouan stop very successful by using a network of flights from New York and other American gateways to the San Juan hub. 

"We are sure that this is only the beginning," he said. "We're confident that you will be hearing much more about Canouan in the future. There is no doubt that this would become one of the Caribbean's most successful projects."

To further enhance travel to Canouan, Gonsalves said that construction of a 1, 719-meter-long jet port - obviously to accommodate larger airplanes - will commence before year's end. 

And he appealed to American Airline/American Eagle to continue service to the island until construction is completed. 

In an effort to mollify opposition to the resort or tourism expansion in general in Canouan, the Vincentian prime minister urged the developers to incorporate the people of Canouan in the initiative.

"It is important to have the people of Canouan involved in this exercise," he stressed, "and for them to make a good living - for real opportunities be created for local entrepreneurship in a series of ancillary services attached to all of the large enterprises."

Antonio Saladino, the chairman of Canouan Resorts Development, said that he was pleased to bring all the partners together in creating "one of the Caribbean's best luxury islands."

"I'm confident that Canouan will be the Caribbean's most sought after destination," he said.

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