TORONTO — Sandals Resorts International has officially started construction on its newest resort in Saint Lucia, its fourth property on the island.

Upon completion the new Sandals resort will offer 380 high-end suites and the latest in room designs and features, says the company.

Other Sandals resorts in Saint Lucia include Sandals Regency La Toc – currently celebrating its 25th anniversary – Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals Halcyon Beach.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by the Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Allen Chastanet, who was joined by Minister with Responsibility for Tourism Dominic Fedee and Minister of Economic Development and Urban Renewal Guy Joseph, as well as Sandals Resorts International representatives Jeremy Jones, Director of Corporate Services and Winston Anderson, Managing Director, Sandals Saint Lucia.

“The investment today represented 36,000 new guests who will be coming to Saint Lucia. This by itself will represent a 10% increase in the number of arrivals into Saint Lucia,” said Chastanet. “And in terms of money, expenditure … we’re talking close to US$65 million in additional expenditure per year that this property is going to generate.”

The construction of the fourth Saint Lucia Sandals resort will employ over 1,200 local citizens, with an estimated construction time between 22 and 24 months.