On November 1st 2019, Vital Developers Ltd., Developer of the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa set wheels in motion to break ground for the construction of Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa, a Government-approved Citizenship by Investment Project.
The event took place at the resort’s construction site at Providence, Roseau Valley, and was attended by the Prime Minister Honorable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Ministers of Government, Members of the House of Parliament, Managing Director and Staff of Vital Developers Ltd., Representatives of Atys Architecture, dignitaries, residents of the Roseau Valley and other invited guests.
At the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa groundbreaking ceremony, Managing Director of Vital Developers Ltd., Alexander Berenstain, presented an overview of the resort, stating that it will consist of 72 villa units, two pools, two restaurants, two bars, a spa, yoga and meditation area.
Berenstain also revealed that the Resort will feature a high-rise Tree Top Walkway measuring of about 8 to 10 meters above ground level. According to him, employment will be created for about 100 to 130 individuals during the construction phase, 110 to 120 individuals during operations, and will target residents primarily from the Roseau Valley but intends to create job opportunities for all Dominicans.
In his address, the Prime Minister shared that the Government’s declaration of its vision to build the world’s first climate resilient nation, had created an idea that had developed into an interesting attraction for many people who hold very dear the environment, climatic events, and climate change in particular. “And so,” he revealed, “Dominica was gradually becoming an epicenter of where we can see how to implement best practices in the creation and development of our climate resilient nation.”
The Prime Minister further stated that “Mr. Berenstain and Vital Developers […] may very well have the better location in the country to host events relating to the environment”, and that “this was a very wonderful day for the residents of the Roseau Valley, because in the Roseau Valley, we have all the natural attributes required to take advantage of tourism but we need to ensure also that we have facilities like these, like the Sanctuary Resort where our tourists can come and spend days and nights and weeks,” which he explained was essential for “greater circulation of funds in the economy .”
Speaking at the ceremony, Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Valley, Honorable Dr. John Collin McIntyre encouraged residents of the Roseau Valley, including “farmers, skilled laborers and people trained in the tourism hospitality to make themselves available to benefit from the economic opportunities that lay ahead during the construction and operation of the Resort.”
Meanwhile, some insight on the resort’s architectural design was given by Leano Miceli, accompanied by Gauvin Dauchy, Head Architect at Atys Architecture, the architectural firm responsible for the resort’s design. According to Miceli, “in line with the vision of Alexander Berenstain, our aim was to respect the exceptional sites around by staying true to its existing configuration and all of its natural elements.”
The groundbreaking also entertained guests with traditional folk music and featured the Sign Language Club of the Convent High School, local artiste Carlyn XP and ended with a cocktail.
The Citizenship by Investment was introduced in Dominica in 1993 as was known as the ‘Dominica Economic Citizenship Program’, allowing candidates to apply for Dominica citizenship by donating to the Government’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). In 2013, the program was revamped to include a Real Estate Option which gives applicants the opportunity to invest in a Government-approved real estate project and earn returns on their investment.
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program has been an industry leader in the following areas:
- Visa-free travel to about 130 countries and territories
- Most attractive minimum investment outlay
- Highly streamlined, straightforward application process of 2 to 3 months
- Quality due diligence and compliance procedures
- Confidentiality of application process
The Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa intends to begin construction very soon following its groundbreaking ceremony.