Tourists hot for Falmouth this summer
Riu anticipating 80 per cent occupancy at new hotel
Published:Monday | June 3, 2024 | 12:09 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
Four weeks after opening its first hotel in historic Falmouth, Trelawny, Riu Resorts projects that the Jamaican resort, Riu Aquarelle, will achieve occupancy levels of over 80 per cent this summer.
“There are some days during June and July that the hotel will operate at full capacity,” revealed Niurka Garcia-Linton, director of sales, Jamaica, to The Gleaner.
She is heartened by the positive response the hotel has received since welcoming its first guests on May 4, ending the month with a 65 per cent occupancy. The hotel had to cap the number of guests for the month.
Aquarelle, falling under the Palace category, is now the largest of the hotel chain’s seven resorts on the island, boasting 753 rooms, bringing Riu’s room count here to 4,274.
Despite concerns expressed by Garcia-Linton, regarding the softness in bookings for the traditionally slow month of September, she remains optimistic that business from Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe will offset any market uncertainty. Riu’s largest source market is the United States (US).
Like many other Jamaican resorts, the hotel chain experienced its share of cancellations due to the US Travel Advisory in January, but Garcia-Linton notes that this trend has tapered off and the gap is narrowing.
“We are implementing strategies to ensure that business comes our way, and we are very happy with what we are seeing so far, particularly in June and July,” she stated.
She attributes the hotel’s success to returning guests, who make up 60 per cent of their loyalty programme.
“Our guests are collectors; they just want to know that we have opened another hotel for them to experience,” the director of sales told The Gleaner.
The first Spanish hotel brand to invest in Jamaica 23 years ago, the chain’s evolution is evident in the work that has gone into the Riu Palace Aquarelle, pioneering many aspects from a product point of view.
“It is the first RIU hotel in Jamaica with swim-up rooms as well as the first hotel of the chain to offer swim-up rooms located on an upper level, offering a plus of privacy and privileged views. It has also become the first in the Caribbean and in the hurricane zone to have solar panels,” explained Garcia-Linton.
Water treatment
Palace Aquarelle will also feature the most technologically advanced water treatment plant from the chain in the Caribbean. The treatment plant utilises a process called ultrafiltration, which prevents the passage of any solid, including bacteria or pathogens, greater than 0.03 µm (micrometre).
With this system, all the water from the treatment plant will be used for irrigation. The hotel will also have two heat machines (heat pump) that will produce both the hot water of the hotel and iced water (for air conditioning) so that it is not necessary to use boilers, consequently saving on gas consumption. This system is more efficient and better for the environment than the use of conventional boilers.
The hotel is tastefully decorated, spacious, and home to a bright area equipped with everything guests need for a comfortable stay. Earthy colours and organic motifs play a starring role, with simple furniture and decoration.
“But by far the best thing about our new hotel are the breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea from virtually every room to give guests a truly unforgettable experience,” Garcia-Linton emphasised.
According to her, the chain continues to invest in the destination, owing in part to the island’s varied gastronomy, incredible climate, and most importantly, excellent and welcoming service provided by the over 3,700 staff, who are 99 per cent Jamaican.
Riu guests are also leaving the hotel in droves to experience the other side of Jamaica, outside of all-inclusive, and the Destination Management Company (DMC), Kiuki Tours, which has responsibility for tours says Bob Marley’s birthplace, Nine Mile, and the iconic 600ft of cascading waterfalls, Dunn’s River, are the most popular..
Kiuki’s chief executive officer, Menard Clarke describes the hotel’s entry into the parish of Trelawny as very positive.
“It has been a blessing. It’s an enhancement to the tourism product, and all the taxi operators who operate at the resort must be residents of Falmouth and must show proof. Because our aim is to contribute to the development of the town,” he shared.