By Anthony Pinto
Copyright trinidadexpress
Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism Satyakama Maharaj on Monday unveiled plans for a new tourism development at the iconic Maracas Lookout.
The initiative, led by private firm Global Communique (GC) Resorts Ltd, will see the construction of a state-of-the-art luxury hotel and conference centre, alongside a marina, restaurant, spa and other world-class amenities. Designed with sustainability at its core, the entire development will be powered by solar energy.
Speaking at the soft launch, Minister Maharaj described the project as “a cornerstone of the government’s new tourism direction and pivotal for the nation’s tourism and economic diversification strategy.”
“GC Resorts represents more than a property, it represents a strategic re-imagining of tourism in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said. “It is also an investment in economic diversification. Tourism, together with non-energy manufacturing and creative industries, is a cornerstone of our strategy to generate jobs, exports and innovation.”
The Minister drew comparisons with Singapore, a country one-sixth the size of Trinidad and Tobago, which welcomed more than 15 million visitors in 2024. By contrast, Trinidad and Tobago receives fewer than 500,000 visitors annually. He stressed that the project represents a crucial step in repositioning the nation’s tourism portfolio to include business, leisure and eco-tourism.
Former Minister of Tourism and current GC Resorts board advisor Ken Gordon also addressed the gathering, thanking Maharaj and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for their support.
Reiterating that “the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, and by extension the nation, is open for serious business,” Maharaj pledged full support for the development. “GC Resorts is only the beginning. Over the coming months, we will unveil several other investment-ready projects, across both tourism and non-energy sectors, that will showcase our readiness to do business at the highest level,” he added.
The resort, to be built on the La Vache Peninsula adjoining the Maracas Lookout, will be named in honour of the country’s indigenous ancestors.
According to GC Resorts Ltd, the project will formally launch in December 2025, with construction of the restaurant scheduled for completion by December 2026 and the luxury hotel targeted for opening at the end of 2027.
The GC Resorts board of directors is chaired by Anthony Pinto, with Peter Taylor as Corporate Secretary. Other members include Dr. Kirk Meighoo, Colin Coker and Roger Gordon.
