Sangster expansion offers commercial opportunities

Gavin Lipsith

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Jamaica's main airport has tendered opportunities for 13 outlets, including three duty-free stores, as part of its $125m expansion project

Jamaica's Sangster International airport has published tenders for 13 concession spaces to open in January 2006. Airport operator MBJ Airports told local press it had received over 150 expressions of interest for the areas, which include three duty-free stores and five speciality retail outlets and cover 1,281sq m (3,024sq ft).

The new stores' opening will coincide with the completion of the latest stage of Sangster's $125m expansion project. By the time the project is completed in 2008 the number of commercial outlets at the airport, including catering, car rental and bureaux de change, will have grown from 30 today to 72.

MBJ project coordinator for the Sangster expansion Eugene Creamer said that he was looking for retailers that could offer a strong destination retail experience. "We are looking for experienced operators with things that would make visitors to this island come back," he said. "We want them to feel that this is the best travel and holiday experience they have ever had and so we are looking for shops that will be viewed as truly Jamaican."