Grand Bahia to Figure Prominently in Jamaica’s Tourism Growth

Dana Cuffe, public relations manager, welcomed guests comprised of dignitaries, management, media, staff and community representatives to its first anniversary celebration of the Gran Bahia Principe hotel on February 2, 2008. Mrs. Cuffe placed everyone at ease by inviting guests to let their hair down, share stories, speak of plans to come and enjoy the super weekend program of activities.

Bringing greetings were Derrick Peters, General Manager; Edmund Bartlett, and Tourism Minister, His Excellency Jose Silva, Ambassador of Spain. Specially invited guests Custos of St. Ann, Radcliffe Walters and his wife Norma joined a number of community representatives in the audience.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett challenged Gran Bahia Principe, the new five star property addition to the tourism mix to work toward increasing its occupancy from 78 percent to 90 percent to become one of the central hotels among the cadre of hotels helping the country to achieve its tourism target.

Grand Bahia Principe, located in Runaway Bay, St. Ann is a 700 room junior suite hotel that opened its doors in December 2006. It has already had under its belt the hosting of the Caribbean Ministers conference in October 2007, Ambassador Andrew Young, Honorable Jimmy Cliff and many weddings.

With the Spanish drive to increase room stock to upwards of 30,000 by 2010, and mega attractions, it is evident that Jamaican tourism is bringing “heads to beds.” The aggressive focus on airlift to the island, is therefore an integral part of the need for sustainable tourism development.