Golden Sands Hotel to be rebuilt by Island Group

Island Hotels Group has bought the Golden Sands Hotel at Golden Sands, Ghajn Tuffieha from the family of the late developer Moses Fenech.

Group managing director Winston V. Zahra, said that the Group will be investing Lm10 million in a new hotel which will create an additional 220 jobs.

The hotel will be handed over to the Group in January.

A decision has been taken to demolish the existing property and build a completely new hotel which will have less impact, visually and operationally, on the surrounding area and in the environmental context.

The decision to demolish the old Golden Sands Hotel has been taken in light of the Group's desire to build a new hotel.

Negotiation for the purchase of the hotel took a fairly long time to conclude due to various difficulties that cropped up after a preliminary agreement had been signed a year ago.

Mr Zahra said the site of the hotel had tremendous potential and the Group intended to ensure that it will develop a unique hotel which will attract more tourists to Malta.

Winston J. Zahra, Director of Operations, Sales and Marketing of the Group said that the Group had always put great emphasis on developing sustainable properties and practising responsible business policies.

Discussions are being held with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to ensure that the property will be built in the most attractive way, while having the least impact on the environment.

When completed the New Golden Sands will be the fourth hotel within the Island Hotels Group.

The Group started its operation in 1987 with the Bugibba Holiday Complex and acquired the second property in 1992 with the purchase of the Salina Bay Hotel, which was re-opened in 1994 as the Coastline Hotel. In 1997 the Group opened its third hotel, the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort.

Island Hotels Group also own Island Caterers, 20 per cent of the Dragonara Casino and operates Divino Restaurant at the Fortizza, Sliema.