Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton has welcomed the expansion plans at the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort in Lucea, Hanover, to construct two new hotels, which will yield an additional 745 rooms by 2013.

On February 29, a day before meeting with international and local investors at the inaugural Jamaica Investment Forum in Montego Bay, Minister Hylton was given a personal tour of the designated expansion site by Abel Matutes Prats, president of the Fiesta Hotel Group, the owners of the Grand Palladium chain. "The site is absolutely fantastic", said Minister Hylton. "This development will take Jamaica and Jamaican tourism to another level," he continued.

The minister, who was accompanied by officials of his ministry and JAMPRO President Sancia Bennett-Templer, pledged the Government's support to ensure that the expansion goes forward according to schedule. He added, "We're all very excited at the prospects, and it is my expectation that sometime later this year we'll be able to break ground. The entire Government, indeed, the people of Jamaica welcomes this continued commitment, trust and faith in Jamaica."

investing in Jamaica

Fiesta says the expanded Grand Palladium will make Jamaica the hub of the Group's Caribbean operations. According to Matutes, the continuing experience of investing in Jamaica has been a pleasurable one. "What we're planning on doing is to accomplish, by far, the best hotel we have in the company, and I hope my competition forgives me, but I'm sure the best hotel in Jamaica", added Matutes.

The Fiesta Hotel Group is a Spanish hotel chain which currently comprises seven brands including the Grand Palladium. In July 2008, Fiesta Hotel Group opened two resorts in Jamaica: the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa and the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, which together comprise 1,056 rooms. Fiesta has invested approximately US$180 million in Jamaica, permanently employing over 1,000 Jamaicans and 2,000 others on a temporary basis.