RIU set to reopen all of its Jamaica properties before end of the year

RIU Hotels & Resorts is ready to reopen all seven of its hotels in Jamaica before the end of the year, leading the reactivation of hotel operations in the destination. The country is dedicated to the recovery of its main industry as the best way to overcome the crisis caused by Hurricane Melissa. The reopening is accompanied by the return of charter flight operations from key markets such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, thanks to the commitment of Sunwing and TUI to the destination’s recovery.

The reopening is in phases. The Riu Ocho Rios, in one of the destinations least affected by the storm, has remained open and is already offering all services. The Riu Montego Bay reopened its doors on Nov. 23, and the Riu Palace Jamaica reopened Nov.  24, reintroducing the premium product in this first stage of reactivation.

The four remaining establishments (Riu Reggae; Riu Negril; Riu Palace Tropical Bay, and Riu Palace Aquarelle) have tentative opening dates scheduled from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15.

RIU’s operational and technical team worked on the necessary cleaning and repair work just a few days after Melissa to ensure the hotels were ready in record time. The main challenges were restoring water and electricity, already functioning in all destinations.

RIU’s commitment to Jamaica has focused first and foremost on its employees, in line with the Proudly Committed strategy. This has materialized in the form of direct aid and the restoration of employment. The chain has mobilized a fund of US$1,000,000, of which 80% has been assigned directly to staff.

This support includes US$570,000 specifically for providing materials for the reconstruction of employees’ homes, and US$230,000 for immediate aid packages with basic necessities.

Additionally, it has enabled an interest-free credit line of US$1,300,000 to facilitate the management of damages.

In the photo

Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, congratulated the colleagues during his visit to the Riu Ocho Rios hotel last week.