Sandals to close Beaches Turks and Caicos ‘indefinitely’
Sandals Resorts’s Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos Islands will close for an ‘indefinite’ period from the start of 2021.
According to local media, the decision follows a long running tax dispute with the Turks and Caicos government although both sides have denied this.
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."
The company will also cover flight change fees.
"Guests may also choose to travel to any of our 16 Sandals Resorts," it said.
Turks & Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson refused to divulge the issues but did say it is not tied to any unpaid tax.
According to local media the tax amount in dispute is about $60 million.
Beaches is the largest resort on the Turks & Caicos at more than 700 rooms.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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