Decision to close Little Dix Bay Hotel was done 'without' Gov’t consultation!
In a statement issued to the media late this evening, January 15, 2016, Premier Smith also said he will hold the hotel accountable for its promised deadline for re-opening and providing job opportunities during the renovation stages.
Some 300 workers will be out of work when the hotel closes.
No consultation with Gov’t
“Although it is the right of Rosewood Hotels and Little Dix Bay Hotel's principals to determine how best to serve their clients, their decision was taken without any consultation with this Government,” Premier Smith said, adding that closing one of the island’s most popular and iconic resorts for this lengthy period of time is unfortunate.
According to Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel, the refurbishment will include the complete redesign of the resort’s guestrooms and suites, its three restaurants and overall enhancements to the landscaping. It further said that upon reopening towards the end of 2017, Rosewood Little Dix Bay would welcome back its "associates" to the resort to interview for available positions.
Workers welfare paramount
According to the Premier, he understands that the redesign and modernisation of the plant was needed, however, the welfare of the workers of Little Dix Bay is paramount.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that it is the 52 years of excellent service to our visitors that has enabled that hotel to remain one of this Territory's signature hotels. I have seen a copy of the letter circulated to employees that among other things sets out benefits to them. I expect that certain aspects of the letter as it pertains to seeking employment and severance will be negotiated further.”
Gov’t holding hotel accountable for all promises!
Further, Premier said Government will be holding Little Dix Bay accountable for all promises made verbally as well as in writing and to keeping the deadline for reopening.
“My Ministers and I visited the property shortly after the announcement was made by Little Dix Bay principals. We have already arranged to hold a meeting early next week with employees to decide on the best way forward. I want to take this opportunity to also reach out to our tourism industry partners and the business community to provide new opportunities for the affected workers.”
The Minister for Tourism, Premier Smith, also said he has been assured by the owners of Rosewood Little Dix Bay Hotel and Resort that throughout the construction phases, job opportunities will arise for the people of Virgin Gorda and that millions of dollars will be injected into the local economy.
“This promise is another to which I will hold them accountable,” Premier Smith stated.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Edward Linsley, said: “While the decision to close Rosewood Little Dix Bay was not easy, we determined that we would not be able to deliver the experience our guests deserve during a renovation of this caliber. Our goal is to expedite the process so that our associates and guests can return to our island paradise as quickly as possible, which will be better than ever when it reopens.”
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44 Responses to “Decision to close Little Dix Bay Hotel was done 'without' Gov’t consultation!”
More lies....
Undoubtedly, LDB has to stay at the tip of the spear and competitive in delivering high quality service to its guests. Renovating and moderning its facility is critical to delivering high quality service to its guests. The renovation plan seemed to be in an advanced stage. And since there were not any consultations with government on its renovation, will it be pursuing duty free concessions on construction material, equipment, furnishings........etc?
But what I also worry about is LDB history and significant architecture. This is classic "Mid-century Modern" which the larger world is beginning to appreciate as historically significant. I hope they don't ruin a gem of design as many developers do in the quest of money- which is every bit part of the attraction to this resort-- how it fits into the landscape-- and its layout. Please don't do anything stupid, "New York/ Miami", because you will end an era started by the Rockefeller's as part of their legacy and every bit a part of BVI history. It would be a shame to lose the historical thread on how the BVI started to turn the corner. Can you imagine if Caneel Bay was torn down?
As for this second statement on the closure of the hotel by the premier he can save his time pretending that he is looking out for the "people"...nobody believes that crap anymore and there are persons who never did. It's like pissing on people and calling it hot rain.
If someone from another country comes here and destroys things, they are supposed to be held responsible.
Especially on a big expensive scale.
country is. Everything is VIP or NDP blaming everything on the sitting government. You
folks are sounding sick to the fullest. Can an entire country be so weird?
Oh please! She can't do sh*t.
I am not understanding why a private entity must give notice to a country's Gov that it will be closed for renovation.
Government can put in place some creative, one time temporary actions. Some possible actions include 1) working with banks and other financial institution to lower and/or defer loan payments, 2) offering interest free loans with delayed paybacks, 3)temporarily increasing public sector employment rolls, 4) working closely with private sector employers to incentivize hiring of displaced workers (lowering taxes), 5) government absorbing NHI payments for displaced employees, during period of unemployment, 6)waiving employment tax for the spouses/partners of laid off workers, 7)preferential hiring of displace workers,……etc. Admittedly, some of these actions will be setting precedents for the future. These are just some quick off the top of head thoughts. For the longer, it needs to put unemployment insurance in its bucket of things to explore.
Don't loose heart God have a way of doing things and shifting us to bring out the best in us. Removing the crutches to help us walk by our self.
Look. For the message in this closure yes all of us have bills to pay including the Government who need to run the country 18 months is very long but God's hand's is.Not shorteneds
would have never done this if ralph t oneal was premier they have no respect for olando smith
Not only will this closure of the only 5-star hotel in the BVI cripple the economy of Virgin Gorda but it will hurt the Territory overall.
Loss of 300 + jobs for VG = loss of business for banks with foreclosures on homes and apartment buildings. Reposition of vehicles still being paid for and closure of accounts. Closure of some small businesses. Lay-offs at other businesses whose revenues are going to be affected by persons who lost their jobs and tourists such as airlines, taxis, supermarkets and other retail stores and also ferry services. Some persons will have to uproot their family and leave the Territory to find employment elsewhere.
On Tortola supermarkets and retail stores will feel the pinch too, as well as other providers of goods and services. NHI and Social Security will take a hit too. Loss of revenue from income and hotel tax will be felt in government. Even the Electricity and Water and Sewerage departments will see loss of revenue as I am sure a hotel that size generated hefty monthly bills to those two departments.
Tourism numbers will be down overall so air travel through TB Lettsome Int'l Airport will go from skeletal to an almost ghost town....and the list goes on.
18 months of the closure of Little Dix Bay is devasting and perhaps crippling to an already damaged economy of the BVI.
Five months is more than ample time to make adjustments.
Two weeks notice at the most is what most of us experienced. Five months notice and with severance???Shoo, I could update my resume with new courses and take it easy and look for a better job.
Those with work permits should return to ther countries, grumbling always,hating the VI and its people, pay check they complain.
If some banks had kno n labour had kno how he mean he didn't kno b*llsh*t.......