The Riu Paradise Island Resort opened on Saturday as promised after it closed earlier this year as the former Sheraton Grand Resort.
The property was shut down following a transfer of ownership to Riu Hotels and Resorts, a family owned resort chain based in Mallorca, Spain.
Tourism officials say the resortﾴs opening on Paradise Island is both timely and welcome, as local hotels embark upon the winter season.
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that the opening of the resort is significant.
ﾓIt enhances the Paradise Island product because it provides some diversity,ﾒ he told the Bahama Journal. ﾓThe access that we will have to the European market will help us in a significant way.ﾒ
Minister Wilchcombe also said that The Bahamas is expected to take off with the European market when Virgin Airlines starts service from London next year.
He also pointed out that Riu is providing more than 300 permanent jobs for Bahamians and additional job opportunities for other Bahamians, including entertainers.
ﾓI think thatﾴs wonderful so some of the Bahamian entertainers get some opportunities,ﾒ he said.
The family-oriented Riu Resort has other benefits, he noted.
ﾓItﾴs providing exposure to The Bahamas not only with the present generation, but generations that will be travelling on their own in the future,ﾒ Minister Wilchcombe said.
Riu officials have in the past expressed excitement over coming to The Bahamas.
ﾓThe Bahamas [is] know for [its] hospitality, so it is natural that Riu, a leader in the hospitality industry, should offer travellers a welcoming resort in this top destination,ﾒ Miguel Violan, director of communications of Riu Hotels and Resorts has said.
ﾓRiu Paradise Island is in the perfect location; directly on the beach, walking distance to Atlantis and less than two miles away from all the shopping in Nassau.ﾒ
Riu, a European chain, capitalizes on stunning beachfront locations in prime destinations around the world. Its latest addition on Paradise Island is a 379 room, all-inclusive resort with all the amenities.
The nearby mystical themed Atlantis Resort, operated by Kerzner International, is being used as a strong selling tool, with potential guests being told that its just 328 feet away from the hotelﾴs Paradise Island Casino.
Its executives have said that although the hotel property is five-star, the factor that catapults its value as a vacation establishment is its proximity to the Atlantis Resort.
ﾓThe Atlantis Resort and Casino is seen as the most important recreational centre and resort in the Caribbean,ﾒ a press statement from the hotel said.
Today, Riu operates 110 resorts around the world with 23 of them being in the Caribbean region.
Dianne Okpuno, Riu front office manager, told the Bahama Journal on Saturday that the first day went well.
ﾓItﾴs an all-inclusive hotel so all of your meals and beverages are included and itﾴs truly a wonderful property,ﾒ she said. ﾓI urge my fellow Bahamians to come over and take a look at it because itﾴs really different.ﾒ
She said officials were finishing off some cosmetic additions to the property as 80 guests were expected.
The Grand had suffered major damage during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Michele in 2001.Employees were out of work for up to six months on both occasions.
The Bahama Journal
