MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Ritz Carlton Golf and Spa Resort in Montego Bay on Thursday kicked off their fifth anniversary celebrations with an appreciation luncheon for staff members who have been with them since they opened their doors in 2000.

More than 280 staffers were treated at the luncheon, with four of their numbers receiving cellular phones from Digicel, having participated in an essay competition. In addition to receiving the phones, which included a Panasonic X700, Sony Ericcson K750I and Nokia 3620, they each received $5,000 call credit.

Another two staff members will, in the interim, be going to Chile for “extensive wine training”, according to the hotel’s assistant public relations manager, Jacqueline Burrell. The two employees are Phillip Gayle and Simone Reid, who completed the most hours of in-house wine training and with the highest scores.

“And CPJ (Caribbean Producers, Jamaica) and Contra-Tours forged a partnership to provide air faire,” Burrell noted.

Over the next few weeks, the Ritz will also host a church service, as well as another luncheon, as part of the ongoing celebrations.

The 427-room European style Ritz Carlton Rose Hall opened its doors amidst much pomp and ceremony in August of 2000. Since then, the resort has managed to build for itself a reputation as a hotel of choice in the island. With the flood rains of April this year, it was forced to close its doors to business.

However, on June 23 the facility wasable to reopen its doors ahead of a July 1 target date, following extensive repair works. But with the passage of Hurricanes Dennis and Emily, the Ritz, with its complement of 800 staff members, is having to weather low occupancy levels, like other players in the industry.