Puerto Seco Beach to be a world-class family attraction
Published:Wednesday | September 26, 2018 | 12:00 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
Beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder. From the whiteness of the sand, the ruggedness of the coastline and the powerful yet calm waves that lap ashore, the Puerto Seco Beach in Discovery Bay, St Ann, is the perfect place for you to check out from reality for a while.
Punctuated with thatched roof palapas and blessed with cool breeze for most of the day, the facility is lined with cool restaurants, a chic cafe, water sports activities and hotels, just steps away from the beach.
In a glitzy affair, at the recent opening of the renovated facility, it was disclosed that an investment of $630 million was made, with Puerto Seco Beach already providing employment for more than 80 Jamaicans since April, with 85 per cent of that number comprising residents of the town and its environs.
According to Kenny Benjamin, executive chairman of the Guardsman Group, the company's vision is to make Puerto Seco Beach into a world-class, family-friendly attraction.
"We remain committed to delivering exciting experiences for our guests in a setting with state-of-the - art facilities. In the 1970s, Puerto Seco was regarded as one of the top 10 beaches in the world and we are delighted that we could be part of the restoration," Benjamin said.
The staff complement is expected to increase to 120, in tandem with the other St Ann attraction, Konoko Falls. Both attractions are managed and operated by Guardsman Hospitality.
As of October 2018, passengers from Carnival Corporation which operates Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Costa Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Aida Cruises, Disney Cruise Lines as well as the MSC Cruise Line will visit the attractions on stopovers in Ocho Rios and Falmouth.
"We feel very blessed that Jamaica has so many beautiful, natural attributes and it is our responsibility to make them sustainable, while generating employment for our enthusiastic team members and enjoyment for local and overseas visitors," Benjamin said.
Laura Heron, general manager of Guardsman Hospitality, said the company was pleased to be able to offer Jamaicans a beach facility that was of the highest international standard to be enjoyed by persons of all ages.
"Jamaican visitors have also been responding well to our social media promotion, which offers a group incentive rate of 20 per cent discount on groups of 20 persons and over," Heron said.
Heron also hinted at plans by Guardsman Hospitality to introduce a second phase of the development at the Puerto Seco Beach as of May 2019.