Devon Evans, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
HOTELS IN the St. Ann, St. Mary region are gearing up for the winter tourist season which officially starts today and nearly all are very optimistic that business will be good throughout the season.
Some hotels have been sold out already for the Christmas to New Year period with forward bookings also looking good for the remainder of the season.
Even small hoteliers, who have been struggling over the years to get business at their properties, are anticipating a good season.
A new addition to the product is Rooms On the Beach, the newest member of the Super Clubs group. The hotel which is the former Club Jamaica in Ocho Rios underwent a $100 million upgrading recently and will be offering 97 rooms in a European Plan (EP) type package.
However, one major blow to business in the area is the loss of over 700 guest rooms at the Jamaica Grande Hotel which is not expected to reopen before March next year.
Hotels such as Breezes Runaway Bay have already sold out all of its 225 rooms for the holiday season. General Manager Cheddy Parchment said the hotel was one of the second highest performers in the Super Clubs chain this year and that he is looking forward to even a better year.
Over at the Hedonism III in Runaway Bay things are also looking good for the festive season. Sales Coordinator Patrina Lindsay said the hotel will be fully booked from December 27 to the start of the new year and that January is expected to be also a good period.
In Mammee Bay general manager of Sandals Dunn's River, Louis Grant was happy to report that the hotel has already sold out its rooms for Christmas to the New Year. Over in St. Mary the situation is also looking good at San Souci Resort and Spa and Beaches Boscobel Resort.
Owner of the 38 room Sea Crest Hotel in Priory St. Ann, Leopold Williams said the season looks prosperous and that he is expecting an average occupancy of 70 per cent throughout the period
