Jul 2010 Financial News

Sagicor to operate Dunn's River hotel

Jul 14, 2010

Sagicor Pooled Investment Funds (PIF) has taken over the management of the former Sandals Dunn's River Hotel, but has outsourced the marketing and sales to an American company called Aimbridge Hospitality.

The details of the Aimbridge contract were not disclosed, but Sagicor says it will provide more details in another week.

Sandals' management contract, through Mammee Bay Hotel Limited closed out on May 31, after 11 years.

The 256-room property is now closed, but reopens August 1 under a new name, Jewel Dunn's River Beach and Spa.

"Any refurbishing under way now is for rebranding, in relation to the property's look and feel," said Tanya Miller, vice president of group marketing for Sagicor Life Jamaica and its subsidiary Pan Caribbean Financial Services.

Sagicor PIF has appointed Carol Bourke as Jewel Dunn's River's general manager.

Under Sandals' control, the property was said to have averaged occupancy of 75 per cent since 2000.

Sagicor has not said why it switched strategies to operate the 20-acre property itself, rather than contract a new management company.

The original hotel structure was built in 1959 and was purchased by Sagicor Jamaica in 1989.


Source:
business@gleanerjm.com
Jamaica Gleaner
Wednesday July 14, 2010

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