Tourism Minister opens re-branded Holiday Inn Resort
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr Wykeham McNeill officially re-opened the re-branded Holiday Inn Resort in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, formerly known as Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort and Spa on April 28.
There was extensive refurbishing of the 518-room facility, done at a cost of US$15 million.
An integral part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, Holiday Inn Resort now features fully updated guest rooms, an ocean view lobby and four restaurants offering a variety of foods, including Japanese, Caribbean and Italian.
In his address, the Minister congratulated the management for the upgrading, and pointed out that this is a demonstration of confidence in the Jamaican tourism product.
“It shows a confidence in Jamaica when our partners are investing in their properties and keeping them on the move. This is truly good for Jamaica and I want to congratulate them and thank them for this (show of confidence). In the last month, I have participated in four events like this one,” the Minister noted.
Dr McNeill also said persons in the industry who are engaged in doing work in relation to re-inventing, re-branding and refreshing the product, thereby keeping Jamaica on the cutting edge should be given credit as well.
“The strength of brand Jamaica in tourism comes back to the Jamaican workers in the industry … workers in all areas of the hotel properties who interact with the guests. These are what the guests remember and this makes the big difference, and as Minister in an industry that’s performing and doing well, I want to congratulate and thank each and every one of you for the work that you are doing,” the Minister said.
Managing Director of the Holiday Inn Resort, Kevin Hendrickson, said the partnership between the Holiday Inn Resort Hotel and InterContinental Hotel Group, has been rewarding.
“Since acquiring the property in 2008, the partnership has been very rewarding, as programmes and services they have put together, have taken the property to record levels of profit. With the re-brand story today …we are confident that this upward trajectory will continue, as we see a very great future ahead of us,” he said.
