By: Jason Voorhees
People flock to the Caribbean for the gorgeous beaches, perfect weather, and relaxing vibes but, there is always a dark side lurking behind the beautiful facade. The environmental impact of increased tourism and the subsequent development threatens the pristine islands. Saint Barthélemy is facing conflict with Denise Dupré, according to The New York Post, and her company SAS Saint Jean Beach Real Estate. The New York Post reports that the company plans to build a $170 million dollar resort.
To replace a much smaller property that has since been torn down after being destroyed. The current work that has been completed already, a parking garage and swimming pools areas have already caused damage. The foundations that have been laid and the underground parking facilities have contributed to flooding, “in addition to changing the shape of the bay, the massive garage threatens to create instability in the event of flooding, as was caused by Hurricane Irma a few years ago,” a St. Barth’s Essentiele spokeswoman said, according to The New York Post. The new hotel will eventually feature 16 buildings, countless pools, and will be double the size of the previous property.
Denise Dupré is the president of SAS Saint Beach Real Estate. Dupré’s husband, Mark Nunnelly, is the former CEO of Domino’s Pizza. Nunnelly resigned once the company went public. After his departure, Domino’s changed their recipe in order to improve it!
The matter is due to be settled in this week. According to The New York Post, “Dupré and Nunnelly’s existing hotel on St. Barts, the five-star Le Barthelemy in Grand Cul-de-Sac, has received two formal notices issued by the government in January 2019 and January 2021 to stop dumping toxic waste into the island’s water, government records show”.
The New York Post reports that, “Meanwhile, Dupré and Nunnelly’s existing hotel on St. Barts, the five-star Le Barthelemy in Grand Cul-de-Sac, has received two formal notices issued by the government in January 2019 and January 2021 to stop dumping toxic waste into the island’s water, government records show”.
St. Barts was locked down due to Covid until June 9, 2021. As of press time, they had only 1,603 cases and six deaths. They have officially welcomed back tourists and a typical year expect 200,000 to arrive in a normal year. As the economy is based on the influx of visitors from the U.S., bigger hotels and resorts are being built at an extraordinarily fast rate and the island’s natural environment and physical infrastructure can’t keep up. Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused complete and catastrophic damage in 2017, but the island has been quick to build back everything bigger and more beautiful than ever.
