PM Browne Calls Sandals “Greedy,” Accuses Resort of Prioritizing Profits Over Local Economy
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has described Sandals Resorts International as a “greedy” company, accusing the hotel chain of exploiting Antigua’s resources while neglecting its obligations to the local economy. Speaking candidly on Pointe FM, Browne outlined a series of grievances with Sandals’ business practices, arguing that the company prioritizes profits over its contributions to the country and undermines the livelihoods of local workers and businesses.
“They’re greedy,” Browne stated, explaining that Sandals has consistently sought financial benefits and concessions from the government without reciprocating through sufficient reinvestment. He highlighted that despite enjoying nearly 40 years of corporate tax exemptions and other incentives intended to support tourism, Sandals has not fully lived up to its commitments in Antigua and Barbuda.
Browne also pointed to Sandals’ recent request to import a private fleet of vehicles to transport guests, a proposal he said would have sidelined local taxi drivers who depend on airport transfers as a key source of income. “They want everything,” Browne remarked. “What room is left for the taxi drivers now at the airport?” This denial is part of the government’s broader strategy to protect the local economy from what Browne described as Sandals’ relentless drive to capture as much profit as possible without sufficient regard for the local community.
The Prime Minister further criticized Sandals’ approach to employee tips, mentioning the resort’s no-tip policy, which requires staff to deposit tips into the Sandals Foundation instead of keeping them. Browne argued that this practice deprives workers of additional income that could help improve their quality of life, calling it an exploitative measure that reduces costs for the resort while impacting employee earnings.
Browne emphasized that while Antigua and Barbuda welcomes foreign investment, such companies must operate fairly and contribute to the nation’s prosperity. “They cannot treat us like a plantation,” he said, likening Sandals’ approach to a “colonial construct” that prioritizes foreign corporate interests over those of the Antiguan people.
The Prime Minister’s remarks are the latest in a series of criticisms aimed at Sandals over its handling of tax obligations and its recent “frivolous” lawsuit against the government. This lawsuit, Browne suggested, is an attempt to delay a $27 million tax assessment related to discrepancies in Antigua Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) collection, which Browne contends Sandals has undercharged at 13% rather than the required 14%.
Sandals has not yet responded publicly to the Prime Minister’s statements.
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https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/30/sandals-hits-back-at-claim-it-hid-60-of-resorts-intake/
Perhaps you guys who hate the PM so much should read this article as well
SANDALS is disputing assertions by the Bahamian tax authorities that its Emerald Bay resort only reported 40 percent of revenues earned as it defended its one-of-a-kind “business model”.
#Melissa John, the Exuma hotel’s financial controller, in a September 8, 2023, letter to the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) denied the property had failed to properly disclose “the true nature of transactions” which have sparked demands for $30.844m in allegedly unpaid VAT and Business Licence fees combined..
This seems to be a practice from Sandals. Our PM is right to call them out.
Snadlas not the only hotel they need to just investigate all other them, Barett especially, and the Irish owned hotel is used to work cheap and racist 🙄
Sandals is not the only hotel they need to just investigate all other hotels in Antigua the ones for Barett especially and the Irish owned hotel is used to work cheap and racist 🙄
Sandals trying to pull a Trump.
GREEDY,YOU SAY GASTON.YOU CALLING SANDALS GREEDY IS LIKE THE POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK.YOU ARE AVARICIOUS,ONLY CONCERNED WITH GAINING WEALTH FOR YOURSELF AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
The Likkle Mustache man ben paid for so long to not true
Oh my goodness sandals staff work hard bad and cannot go home with proper money look pan the amount of rooms them a clean, turn down a killer me sorr for then jumby bay money big and then still a take tip sandals allow them workers
Call out Barrett too he wicked lakka one green eel, you shop in his supermarket an dem ebry day prices increase and you all say no price gouging go on you got to be sh*****g me
Investor ,noun, A person or organization that puts money into financial schemes, property etc, with the expectation of achieving a profit.
Stock exchange, noun, a market in which securities are brought and sold
Securities and Bonds , the purpose of a stock exchange is to help in Capital Formation and act as intermediary between companies and investors by providing a common platform for exchange
THRU REPARATIONS we seek JUSTICE from past EXPOLITIVE existence/systems
example colonization.
indigenous adjective, having originated in and being produced, growing, living or occurring naturally in a particular or region or environment
What does it mean if someone is indigenous?
Indigenous People are distinct social and cultural groups that share and collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from in which they have been “displaced”
Between 1501 and 1867 nearly, 13 million African people were KIDNAPPED, forced onto European and American(1507an German cartographer named the NEW WORLD America) ships and trafficked across the Atlantic Ocean to be enslaved, abused, and FOREVER separated from their homes(Alkebulan=The Kemetic or Alkebulan history of Africa suggests that the ancient name of the CONTINENT was ALKABULAN. the word Alkabulan is the oldest and only name of indigenous origin.
Alkabulan means “The garden of Eden or mother of mankind” It was used by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians) and ETHIOPEANS
I mentioned this intro to consider the FOREVER FORIEGN investors legacy..
Can the DIASPORA also , share the industry in shares and bonds scenarios. State/Sovereign Own and Operated even if we return HOME ,Repatriation with Reparation MONIES ..
One Aim One God One Destiny
A thought to continue ….
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