SANDALS is opening more than 200 extra rooms in the Caribbean this month as part of its 2000 strategy to beat this year’s bookings’ record.
Some 56 new suites are opening at Sandals St Lucia, while the family Beaches resort in the Turks and Caicos is adding another 166 rooms.
Director industry affairs David Roper would not release figures but said this year was the best ever in terms of bookings for the all-inclusive resort operator.
“We have been strong both in the UK and worldwide, but we aim to do even better in 2000. There has been some price sensitivity but overall, we have found that people are still prepared to pay for quality.”
A major trade and consumer advertising campaign gets under way after Christmas.
Roper added that the 130-room Poinciana Beach Resort in Negril, Jamaica, will be rebranded Jamaica Beach Inn from January 1.
The Inn Clubs concept is less expensive than the traditional Sandals and Beaches resorts.