New hotel planned at Golden Sands

An exhibition on the planning process of the new Golden Sands Resort and Spa was opened yesterday at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort.

The new hotel, which overlooks Golden Sands Bay in Ghajn Tuffieha, is expected to be opened in spring 2005.

The exhibition details the process used by the developers, Island Hotels Group, and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority from concept stage to the final submitted plans, with an explanation of how the decisions were taken.

Although a permit already exists for the partial demolition, restructuring and complete refurbishment of the existing structure, the directors of Golden Sands Resort Ltd decided that it would be better for the development, as well as for the environment of the surrounding area, to demolish the existing building and come up with a completely new project which will have a much more positive impact on the overall product.

During a presentation of the project to the press, Winston V. Zahra, Island Hotels Group managing director, said that the final product will be a result of the excellent cooperation that exists between the group and Mepa.

"The process that we used for the development of the plans for the Golden Sands Resort & Spa shows that where co-operation exists and when the parties concerned work together, progress is achieved in the shortest time possible and the end product will be the best in the interest of all," he said.

The launching of the exhibition was attended by the Tourism Minister Michael Refalo and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment George Pullicino.

The exhibition will be open to the public at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St George's Bay, until the end of this month.

Island Hotels Group also own and operate the Bugibba Holiday Complex, The Coastline Hotel, Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort and Island Caterers Limited.