The Barbados tourism product has been enhanced with the virtual reconstruction of Sea Breeze Beach House to the tune of almost $17 million.
The Maxwell Coast Road, Christ Church property was showcased and officially opened to scores of tourism officials, tour operators and Government officials Thursday, and described as a transformed four-and-a-half star all-inclusive hotel.
“We virtually re-built the hotel,” group general manager of Ocean Hotels, Patricia Affonso Dass, said.
The investment was welcomed by Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy who stated that close to 7 000 rooms, a record high, would be available in Barbados by the end of 2018.
Affonso Dass said the new 44 luxury suites and 78 other rooms reflected a transformation of the property, in terms of its Barbadian and culinary appeal, substantial reclamation of beach areas and enhancement of its wedding and other services.
A Bajan Rum Shop has been added, while lighting and Barbadian art aesthetics are included and an additional 60 staff employed.
“We wanted to be sure that when our guests visit us at Sea Breeze Beach House that they feel a sense of connection to the island, the people, the local sounds and flavours and more than anything else felt they were ‘at home’ being cared for rather than served,” Affonso Dass told the function.
Sealy stressed the value of a modernised tourism plant and increased rooms to grow the island’s main economic sector. While applauding the investment by Peter Defreitas, chairman of the three-hotel Ocean group, the minister said the island’s room capacity was expected to increase to 8 000 by 2020.
“We are on an upward trajectory. This is good for Barbados. Tourism is still at the core of the economy,” Sealy remarked. (HH)
