By Admin. Updated 12:50 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A local taxi operator says the presence of Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has significantly boosted the country’s tourism sector and created new opportunities for Vincentians working in the industry.
Kendal Neverson, who has worked in the taxi industry for more than 15 years, said the opening of the resort in Buccament Bay in 2024 marked a turning point for many operators involved in tourism transportation services.
Neverson, a member of the Taxi Association, was among a group of drivers selected through a competitive process to provide airport transfers and guest transportation services for the resort.
Speaking in a press release issued by Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, Neverson described the impact on the tourism sector as “transformational”.
“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has moved very swiftly from the moment Sandals started operating here. Our tourism sector has risen drastically and it has been a great upgrade for taxi drivers, especially for those of us involved in the transfers between the airport and the resort,” he said.
Neverson said the increase in visitor arrivals has resulted in more consistent work for taxi operators and has also reinforced the importance of maintaining high service standards.
“When it comes to Sandals, it’s all about standards,” he said. “That’s something I’ve learned and continue to apply every day.”
He also said the resort’s presence has benefited other sectors linked to tourism, including agriculture, fishing and transportation.
“It has truly been a pleasure to have Sandals here,” he said. “It has brought opportunities across many sectors and helped elevate our tourism industry.
“For me, Sandals is about development and raising our standards. If we want to benefit from tourism growth, we have to continue improving our service and professionalism, because when visitors come here, they are experiencing our country through us.”
Sandals Resorts said Neverson’s experience reflects the wider impact tourism can have on local communities and livelihoods beyond the resort sector itself.
Sandals Resorts operates adults-only all-inclusive resorts across several Caribbean destinations, including Jamaica, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Barbados, Antigua, Curaçao, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
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