Commemoration Ceremony for the Practical Completion of the new terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport

Prime Minister Dr the Hon. Keith Rowley has announced that the leadership of Sandals Resorts Inc has agreed to revisit Tobago.

Prime Minister Rowley made the announcement during the Commemoration Ceremony for the Practical Completion of the new terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport, Crown Point, Tobago today (Saturday 15th March, 2025).

In 2019, Sandals’ executives informed the Government that due to the cumulative effect of negative narratives surrounding the pursuit of a Sandals and Beaches Resort in Tobago, the Board of Sandals decided to allocate its resources elsewhere.

Today, Dr Rowley emphasised that Sandals remains the most successful indigenous tourism model in the region and urged Tobago’s leadership to seize the opportunity during the upcoming visit. He stated, “Success will be that you all manage to convince them to look at Tobago again and give Tobago one or more of those Sandals’ projects that the Caribbean has been benefiting from”.  He said, “If Sandals is good enough for the Bahamas, for Jamaica, for Antigua, for Saint Vincent, for Grenada and the rest of the world, it’s good enough for Tobago.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Sandals brand brings, not only world-class hotel accommodations, but also invaluable opportunities for training in the hospitality industry.

Advancing Tobago’s Modern Tourism Economy

Turning his attention to the new terminal building at the ANR Robinson International Airport, Dr Rowley described it as a milestone achievement. He said, “Tobago has moved into the modern era of the economy of Trinidad and Tobago. The quest to become a tourism destination with serious airlift and a welcoming call has begun in Tobago.”

The development of this new terminal building and related infrastructure at the airport marks a significant step in improving air travel capacity, enhancing service quality, and supporting tourism development in Tobago.

Remarks were delivered by the Minister of Finance, the Hon. Colm Imbert, Minister of Works and Transport, Senator the Hon. Rohan Sinanan, Minister of Sport and Community Development and Member of Parliament for Tobago West, the Hon. Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, Chairman of NIDCO, Mr Herbert George and Chairman of the Tobago Business, Mr Martin George.

The new terminal at the ANR Robinson International Airport will offer the following:

–  Public Departure Hall for international and domestic flights.

–  Check-in Systems for international and domestic flights: (12 International Check-in Counters, 6 Domestic Check-in Counters, 6 Self Service units, Oversized Baggage Check-in and Baggage Self-Drop).

–  Total of 9 Gates for international and domestic flights (6 current and 3 future)

–  VIP / CIP Departure Lounges

–  Carpark facilities for 315 vehicles.

Several Government Ministers, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly the Hon. Farley Augustine and Minority Leader of the Tobago House of Assembly, Assemblyman Kelvon Morris were among the guests in attendance at today’s ceremony.