IN his final public address at a state function before stepping down as Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley yesterday reignited efforts to bring the Sandals Resorts chain to Tobago.
He was speaking at the practical opening the newly completed ANR Robinson International Airport terminal in Crown Point in Tobago on Saturday. He hailed the airport as a transformative milestone for tourism and economic growth.
The 75-year-old Rowley, who will hand over prime ministership to Energy Minister Staurt Young on Monday, said the modernised facility was a critical catalyst to attract international airlines and investors long deterred by Tobago’s aging infrastructure.
He said airlines like Virgin Atlantic had previously refused to service the island due to subpar travel facilities, stressing that the new terminal now rivals “the best in the region.”
Dr Rowley said, “This airport is a game changer. But without hotel rooms, airlines have no reason to come.”
He argued that the island’s scarcity of high-end accommodations has stifled growth, urging stakeholders to “sit” with Sandals executives to revive negotiations.
The luxury Jamaican resort chain had previously explored Tobago but walked away amid local resistance—a decision Rowley called “extremely saddening.”
Directly appealing to Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, Rowley stated, “I trust Tobago will embrace this opportunity,” adding that renewed talks with Sandals could unlock jobs and investment.
He also praised Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan and Finance Minister Colm Imbert for delivering the project, which features expanded check-in areas, retail spaces, and immigration facilities.
Reflecting on his political career, Rowley—a geologist by training—said he had no regrets about abandoning academia for public service. He urged national unity, declaring the airport a win for “all of Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of political affiliation.”
Tobago Business Chamber head Martin George echoed Rowley’s optimism, recalling past embarrassment over critiques of the island’s service quality. “First impressions last,” George said.
Rowley said the airport was the first step in ushering Tobago into a “more modern era,” with Sandals’ potential return symbolising renewed momentum.
Background: Sandals had explored Tobago in 2017 under Rowley’s administration, but plans stalled amid debates over tax incentives and land use. The new terminal, delayed by years of budget disputes, is slated to fully open in late 2025.
