With three resorts now open, RIU Hotels & Resorts says all seven of its hotels in Jamaica will resume service before the end of the year overcoming the crisis caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
The reopening is accompanied by the return of charter flight operations from key markets such as Canada, the UK and the Netherlands, with the company thanking the commitment of Sunwing and TUI to the destination’s recovery.
RIU reports that operation are being reactivated in phases:
- The Riu Ocho Rios, located in one of the destinations least affected by the storm, has remained open and has already recovered all its services.
- The Riu Montego Bay reopened its doors on Sunday, Nov. 23, and the Riu Palace Jamaica opened 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 says its operational and technical team worked on the necessary cleaning and repair work just a few days after Melissa passed to ensure the hotels were ready in record time. The main challenges were restoring water and electricity services, which fortunately are already functioning in all destinations.
Proudly Committed
Meanwhile, RIU’s says its commitment to Jamaica has focused first and foremost on its employees, in line with its ‘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 $570,000 specifically for providing materials for the reconstruction of employees’ homes, and $230,000 for immediate aid packages with basic necessities. Additionally, it has enabled an interest-free credit line of $1,300,000 to facilitate the management of damages.
The remaining 20% of the aid fund is being allocated to the Jamaican community. In collaboration with the Jamaica Basic School Foundation, $200,000 has been donated in humanitarian aid to deliver 1,750 support packages to isolated communities with limited assistance.
Furthermore, RIU has partnered with the NGO World Central Kitchen (WCK) to prepare and distribute more than 7,000 solidarity meals daily from Negril and Montego Bay to the affected communities. This initiative pursues the dual objective of providing one hot meal a day in the most affected areas and, at the same time, offering a source of employment to our employees while normal operations are being restored.
After 24 years in the destination, RIU has seven hotels in Jamaica in Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Falmouth, totaling more than 4,000 rooms and 4,000 employees. It’s most recent opening was the Riu Palace Aquarelle last year.
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