The 'No-Sense' Hotel at La Sagesse
The strange case of a development that claims to be a model of sustainability despite just opening its doors
The delegates at the Caribbean Tourism Organization conference being held in Grenada this week will be attending a host breakfast and media tour at the newly opened Six Senses resort at La Sagesse. They should note a couple of things as they stroll through the hotel grounds.
La Sagesse Six Senses Resort - Aerial view showing Lance Pierre beach - there is currently no beach access for locals? - March 2024
This area was a natural mangrove forest and salt pond: the forest was destroyed by this development in 2019.
The site surrounding the pond was one of the most important birding sites on the island - especially for overwintering bird species. Numerous bird records were collected by locals and tourists alike.
The salt pond was dredged (scraping and scooping plantlife etc. from the bottom of the pond) and flooded in order to create the artificial entrance at the bottom of the main beach. A part of the main beach was permanently destroyed to accommodate this. The developers will kindly inform you that they restored the 'lagoon' (it was a salt pond not a lagoon) to its 'natural' state. They also built artificial islands in the center of the pond.
La Sagesse salt pond before (left) and (after) right. Via NOWGRENADA
Notice the worrying amounts of nutrient indicating algae in the nearshore area surrounding the entrance to the lagoon. Because algae absorb organic and inorganic pollutants, it’s presence can be an indicator of rising amounts of pollution.
Notice the open manmade drains in close vicinity to the beach. Ask how they are treating their wastewater. Drains this close to the beach without a proper and hygenic protocol for wastewater treatment may mean your next dip could be in some hotel guest’s toilet water.
Notice the massive development taking place right next door which is encroaching on known archaeological sites and important riverine and agricultural lands. This is the Intercontinental Hotel (ICH), being constructed by the same developers of the Six Senses resort - Range Development Limited.
Ask how an environmental impact assessment was conducted for both hotels, but did not conduct any marine assessments to determine the impacts of both resorts on the surrounding coral reef and seagrass beds.
Ask the representatives of the developers and the Six Senses staff how they feel about the ongoing court case that local people have started against the developments and the Physical Planning and Development Authority that authorised them. This case was started in 2021.
Ask them how many Grenadian passports have been sold to Russians in connection with this Citizenship by Investment funded development, amidst the war in the Ukraine.
Ask about the turtles that nest in this Bay and how important the seagrass beds in the Bay are to them, and for carbon sequestration.
Ask local people if they have been allowed to cross over to the smaller beach on the other side of the headland. The beach known as Lance Pierre.
Ask the developers, Range Developments, how many archaeological artifacts were found in the area behind this beach. Ask if they were preserved and if they are conducting assessments as part of the ICH development where there are documented sites.
Ask Range Developments when they propose to restore mangroves in this area, as the Court case revealed they were required to do by the Government. Ask what the status of their mangrove nursery is, wherever it may be…
Ask how the developments are supplying their resorts with water, with its 52 individual pool suites, given the fact that many residents in the surrounding area are now complaining of water shortages.
The process surrounding the approval of these developments has been nonsensical. Important policy documents like the 1997 Tourism Master Plan, which recommended specific carrying capacity for a small Bay like La Sagesse were ignored. Legislation has been ignored, including the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Act and the Museum Act, meaning more coastal vegetation and historical artifacts will be destroyed. Grenadian heritage and rights to their land and beaches are being lost.
Is this someplace that you would like to frequent?
Open drainage system behind the main La Sagesse beach - March 2024
Engineered channel which cuts through the main La Sagesse beach. Notice large amounts of algae in the water - March 2024
Consider during this conference what should be classed as a sustainable tourism development or activity, especially in the face of climate change which is placing tremendous pressure on coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs in Grenada and in the region. What role should exclusive multi-million and billion dollar resorts play in mitigating their negative effects on the environment and reducing their reliance on limited natural resources which local people rely on for their livelihoods?
There are better examples of sustainable tourism development in Grenada - Six Senses is not one.
Sustainability is a label that has to be earned!