Minister Grant Tours Ocean Terrace Inn, Pledges Government’s Continued Support
(ZIZ News) — Tourism Minister, Hon. Lindsay Grant is again showing his Government’s support for local tourism-centred companies.
On Wednesday morning, Minister Grant was part of a tour of the Ocean Terrace Inn which recently opened its doors after an extensive renovation process.
Grant also spoke casually with Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla Trading and Development Company [TDC] Earle Kelly and OTI’s manager, Richard Williams.
Kelly thanked the Government for its support of OTI and said he expects the support to continue.
“Thank you very much minister for coming. It shows clearly that the Ministry, the Government is supportive of the work what we’re doing at the new OTI,” he said.
“We are very pleased with the way the hotel looks right now and we are very happy for the support that we got from the Government, including the financial support that we got from the SIDF, and we are very confident that the Government will continue to support OTI because we need that support as a local hotel,” he added.
In response, Minister Grant pledged the Government’s support of the hotel. Mr. Grant, has on many occasions, shared his desire to improve the country’s tourism landscape.
“Well let me thank you again for giving me the opportunity to visit what I call the new OTI site. It’s a fantastic renovation process. I have had the opportunity to walk the area and the rooms and I think you’re very well poised for the new development that’s to come and of course, the Government is willing, able, ready to support ventures such as these and obviously you have been in the business before but I would say who have not been here at OTI for some time will be pleasantly surprised at the new OTI and so, we wish OTI the very best in the upcoming season,” he said.
Minister Grant had high praise for the contractors who renovated the hotel. He described the work as “remarkable.” He also said OTI’s re-opening increases the number of rooms that the country can offer to visitors.
“I want to say that this is a remarkable establishment that has been done. Whoever did the job did a fantastic job so kudos to all the construction workers and I am certain you’re going to have a lot of new crew coming on in terms of in the hospitality industry so we welcome this as, I would say, a new hotel development in St. Kitts and Nevis to increase the room stock that we need so badly,” he said.
OTI welcomed its first guests on April 1st 2015. It now boasts 50 newly designed guest rooms, a new restaurant, The Verandah, and elegantly furnished public areas along with personalised service.
To date, the Government has toured several tourist sites and met with stakeholders. Just this week, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, Public Works Minister Hon. Ian Liburd, and Nevis’ Premier Hon. Vance Amory visited Koi Resort as a sign of the Government’s commitment to tourism and investment.