Sandals Resorts International confirmed the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos Islands will shut for an ‘indefinite’ period from the start of 2021.
It follows a long-running tax dispute with the government, the local media has reported, although both sides have denied this.
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa will initially close from September 3 to October15 in 2019 and then from September 7 to October 22, 2020.
Then it will close indefinitely from 2021.
According to local media the tax amount in dispute is about $60 million.
"Guests traveling between now and January 2021 that are not impacted by these closures will receive the vacation experience that we have become known for. All features and facilities of the resort will be open and operating per usual," the company said.
"For impacted guests, we are committed to making this as seamless as possible by allowing them to change their travel dates to Beaches Turks & Caicos or travel on their original travel dates to one of our other locations in Jamaica."
The company will also cover flight change fees.
"Guests may also choose to travel to any of our 16 Sandals Resorts,"
The closure is the result of ‘several critical and long-standing issues which have impacted our operations over the past several years,’ SRI said, disputing accusations of unpaid tax.
Turks & Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson refused to divulge the issues but did say it is not tied to any unpaid tax.
Beaches is the largest resort on the Turks & Caicos at more than 700 rooms.
