Grand Palladium eyes casino gambling
Published:Wednesday | October 6, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Hanover's Fiesta-owned Grand Palladium is looking into casino gambling with the hope of injecting economic fortunes into the parish once dubbed 'Cinderella'.
The hotel's ambitious casino proposal is now under consideration by the Government.
The latest venture complements the two high-end resorts - with a total 850 rooms and the indoor convention centre that Fiesta plans to construct.
Part of the expansion includes more than 250 royal suites, which are Fiesta's top product. Each suite comes with room service, 24-hour butler service, swim-up patios and other special amenities.
Excited about a prospect that has been on the drawing board for months, as Harmony Cove in Trelawny and Celebration in St James await the final word on a decision regarding their future in the gambling sector, outgoing Spanish Ambassador Jesus Silva noted that a casino, plus two hotels and a convention centre, would mean a tremendous booster in terms of many jobs being created in the region.
He argued that Grand Palladium was probably the single largest hotel project in Jamaica that has had the biggest economic impact in that region.
He cautioned, however, that there was no one queuing up to have casinos because of the stringent conditionality that Government has attached to getting a licence.
Good environment wanted
The resort's general manager, Dimitris Kosvogiannis, supported the stance, noting that both foreign and domestic investors are looking for an environment that encourages them, while stimulating the economy.
"We believe casinos provide such opportunity for Jamaica," he said.
According to Kosvogiannis, a casino for the Hanover/Westmoreland area would allow an otherwise rural and primarily agricultural community to flourish.
"We will be able to offer an additional 1,000 jobs, some that will require specialist training, enhancing the skills of the workers in the community."