RIU celebrates 25th anniversary of first hotel in Jamaica
RIU Hotels & Resorts recently hosted a grand gala to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the chain’s first hotel opening in Jamaica: the Hotel Riu Tropical Bay in Negril.
The event was attended by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, alongside other prominent members of his government, as well as Joan Trian Riu and Naomi Riu, executive directors and members of the founding and owning family.
The gala aimed to reflect the importance of this destination for RIU, while highlighting the hard work of all its collaborators, reads a press release.
Consequently, awards were presented to employees who have been working with the hotel chain in Jamaica for 25 years.
Since its arrival in 2001, RIU has learned a great deal from the destination, witnessing its evolution and growth into a top international tourism hub, and growing alongside it.
Furthermore, throughout these years, the company says it has remained “deeply committed to local talent,” with 99.2 per cent of its employees being Jamaican.
The event, held at the Hotel Riu Montego Bay, brought together over 300 guests and was hosted by the renowned journalist Janet Silvera.
“Jamaica holds a unique and deeply emotional place in our family’s heart. Jamaica believed in us from our beginnings in 2001, opening the doors to international markets,” said Joan Trian Riu, executive director of RIU, in a statement.
“More recently, your bold and efficient leadership proved vital to the country’s recovery following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, recognizing tourism as an essential industry for the nation. Today, we are extraordinarily proud of our local team and of operating seven hotels with over 4,200 rooms, welcoming half a million guests annually.”
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the recognition of RIU’s longest-serving employees in the destination.
Representatives from all seven hotels were present, each having gained increased responsibility throughout their careers and having trained new teams at every subsequent opening.
Naomi Riu, chief financial and sustainability officer, presented the awards alongside Joan Trian Riu.
The evening also featured a performance by the RIU entertainment team, serving as a tribute to the country’s rich musical culture.
The entire show was produced and performed by local entertainment team members to showcase the chain’s internal talent.
Prime Minister Holness closed the institutional segment of the event.
In his speech, he emphasized that “when RIU opened its first hotel in Negril, it was doing more than building rooms. It was expressing confidence in Jamaica. Every subsequent investment has reaffirmed that. The confidence RIU showed in Jamaica 25 years ago has been rewarded. And the confidence Jamaica has placed in RIU has also been rewarded.”
The 25th-anniversary gala also included warm remarks from Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and the Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica, José María Fernández López de Turiso, who both highlighted RIU’s contributions to the destination.
There were also moments dedicated to remembering the tragic impact of Hurricane Melissa and Jamaica’s subsequent resilience in overcoming adversity once again.
“It was a celebration of the journey shared and a tribute to the people who made it possible,” the company said.
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