Braco Village opens today. Hotel plans to contribute to Trelawny's development

The management of the Melia Braco Village Hotel in Trelawny has committed to ensuring that the hotel contributes to the development of communities within the vicinity of the 24-acre property and the wider parish.

"It is my absolute intention to ensure the parish of Trelawny sees the direct and immediate benefits," said Dmitri Kosvogiannis, general manager.

"We are on an immediate plan to engage with Rio Bueno Primary School. It is one of the schools we have adopted, and we have contributed via money and teaching support," he said.

The hotel, which is owned by the National Insurance Fund, is to be officially opened today.

Previously known as the Grand Lido Braco, the hotel is being managed by the Melia Hotel Group, under a 15-year lease agreement with the Government of Jamaica.

It consists of 225 rooms located inside colonial-style buildings with breathtaking views of the beach and the Caribbean Sea.

Some US$23.5 million was spent to renovate the property, and Kosvogiannis has indicated that the expenditure was well within budget.

"It combines Jamaican culture with Melia's vision of hospitality. We have revamped everything to assure it meets the most modern and technological comfort. It is a new concept within a traditional environment," Kosvogiannis said.