One of Barbados leading eco-tourism attractions on the Southern tourist belt is about to attract further controversy with its Canadian owners alledging Treaty violations by Barbados.
This new turn in events comes six months after the Government of Barbados offered $1 million in support to the environmental facility which is a migratory home to a number of bird species from North and South America.
The complaint filed by the Canadian owner of Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, an eco-tourist facility in Barbados, alleges that the Government of Barbados has violated its international obligations by refusing to enforce its environmental laws, thereby allowing increased pollution and land development to damage the Sanctuary. Notice of the dispute was given to Barbados in accordance with the Agreement For The Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments between Canada and Barbados.
The complaint made by the Canadian owner alleges that Barbados has consistently refused to enforce its domestic environmental laws and to abide by its international obligations under the Convention on Wetlands and Convention on Biological Diversity. Such inaction has led to a radical escalation of polluted runoff into the Graeme Hall wetland that serves as a Caribbean flyway stop for migratory birds
In April of 2009, Prime Minister David Thompson took a bold stance regarding the Sanctuary, reasserting that the Government would not be dictated to in determining what action it will take regarding the long-term prospects for the tourism attraction.
At that time the Prime Minister explained the government’s role with the attraction stating, “Our principle objective is to seek to keep the nature sanctuary open and to ensure that the Barbadians employed there continue to have their jobs.”
The Sanctuary was closed late in 2008 and there was much controversy and even public outcry about its closure.
As to the other issues about environmental concerns about who government adjudicates land, the Prime Minister stated: “I have said it before and I will say it again, this government will not be dictated to by anybody in relation to pursuing what is in the best interests of Barbadians. We appreciate the investment made by the owner of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
Peter Allard, chairman and shareholder of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, over $35 million (US) has been invested in the 35-acre Sanctuary to preserve the last significant mangrove woodland and wetland on the island. The Sanctuary is within the last 240-acre green space on the island’s South Coast between the Airport and the capital of Bridgetown, and is also part of the Ramsar wetland recognized by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
The oldest resort in the Caribbean has announced that it will another set of units available to the market by year end.
This comes after 10 years of ongoing construction and transformation of the luxury St. Philip property. The property which has gained international acclaim being the highest rated property by one of the US leading condominium exchange programmmes has also become very popular in the local market. This is with its offerings as a luxury resort with some of the best amenities and as a timeshare property with some of the best prices.
This stage of development is a major one for the property and brings it one step closer to completion of the entire multi-million dollar project but it also represents a significant milestone in Barbados property development and more importantly it also adds to the property portfolio Barbados offers internationally and to the room stock for the tourism product.
The Park Apartments are one of the main areas up for completion by year end and it will offer wholly-owned and fractional 1 & 2 bedroom condominiums. This development is ongoing, with 30 units expected to open by Christmas 2009. However, the developers will be opening another 130 in the three years following on a phased basis.
Earlier in 2009, the Crane Village- Several retail stores are now open, including The Crane’s General Store, Cave Sheperd for duty-free shopping; Colombian Emeralds for fine jewelry; Tamarind Seed for Barbadian art; Aweipo fine art gallery; and Dingolay, for fun style and fashion. Also open is the Town Hall event and conference centre and a new reception and concierge facility along with bell station. The resorts architecture also holds true to the colonial architecture which was always part of the property dating to the late 1700s.
It has been highligted that The Crane offers an alternative to the West Coast of Barbados which has become the playground of the rich and famous around the world. If offers a strong investment options with varying types of ownership avaliable.
The Crane, offers the opportunity for outright or interval ownership of luxurious one, two or three-bedroom residences in its Private Residence development. Currently, there are 202 rooms with new rooms being added to the product as the property is still being developed.
Prices for whole ownership at the exquisite residences range from US $425,000 for the deluxe studio to US $1,781,000 for the 2 Bedroom, 3 bath, with 28′ Pool. Meanwhile quarter share ownership ranges from US $179,159 for a one bedroom rooftop deck pool with a Gazebo and the two bedroom with similar amenities starts at US $220,266.
The Crane provides a great opportunity to invest within its Private Residence development, with very flexible options for buyers.
The million dollar properties which have become hugely popular with overseas investors in Barbados are paying dividends for the country with one of the UK top holiday real estate platforms putting the island at the top of its rating among Caribbean property destinations.
According to Holidaylettings.co.uk, the data was collected from a survey of a number of Caribbean holiday homes currently advertised on Holidaylettings.co.uk, which has significantly more properties in Barbados compared to the other Caribbean islands, as a consequence of the island’s popularity.
According to the new post of the website www.overseasproperties.co.uk “Properties in Barbados, where it is widely claimed that values have never fallen, is the most popular destination with property investors and holidaymakers buying homes and visiting the Caribbean, according to fresh research.”
The UK based website explains that the majority of holiday rental homes currently available in the Caribbean, including Barbados, are being supplied primarily by long term owners, rather than new purchasers, suggesting that fewer investors – particularly those in the buy-to-let sector – are buying property in the Caribbean at this moment in time. This is unsurprising given the recent global economic turmoil.
The report highlights the opinion of Kate Stinchcombe of Holidaylettings.co.uk. where she states, “Overall, demand has fallen slightly as a result of the recession and fewer long haul breaks are generally being taken.”
From a holidaymaker perspective in these tougher economic times, Stinchcombe reports that smaller villas – three and four bedrooms – are proving more cost effective and therefore most popular. Locations where this is particularly apparent include Bottom Bay in St Philip Parish, Barbados and Jolly Harbour in Antigua.
Stinchcombe adds that “Bottom Bay in St Philip Parish is the most popular location, but it is also relatively reasonably priced with three bedroom homes available during peak periods for £650p/wk.
This new story also emphasizes the much talked about Air Transport Tax which Caribbean governments have been protesting against. In fact it is highlighted as a major obstacle to travelling to the Caribbean. “Perhaps the greatest obstacle to holidaymakers trying to reach the Caribbean is Air Passenger Duty increases and transatlantic flight costs – especially when taking the family away.”
Barbados is a major transport hub to a number of other Caribbean destinations and a number of the major air carriers in the world have flights to the island daily.
