Marriott continues to invest in Caribbean

The announcement last October of the sale of the Courtyard by Marriott at Invaders Bay left industry insiders predicting the end of the hotel chain’s involvement in the country and perhaps the region.

The announcement of Guardian Group’s acquisition of the Courtyard by Marriott in newspaper advertisements, stated in part “Guardian Group Investing in Your Future”. The notice said, “With over $15 Billion invested in a highly diversified portfolio, Guardian Group helps to drive the Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean economies, by investing in government paper, as well as, in solid private sector ventures.

“In this vein” continued the statement, “we have acquired the property operated as Courtyard by Marriot at Invaders Bay. Marriott has done a stellar job in making this one of the premier hotels in Trinidad, and we are confident that their continued success will translate into superior, long-term returns for our customers and shareholders.” Marriott is in fact becoming more deeply involved in the hospitality business in the Caribbean.

According to the Caribbean Journal the chain has turned the sod for a $40 million hotel in Antigua and Barbuda. This facility will form part of the brand of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. The property is located at the former Coconut Bay Resort, two miles west of St John’s the island’s capital city.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Tourism Minister Asot Michael said, “Being able to participate in the ground breaking of new properties and developments, that will lead to increasing the room availability, and broadening our twin-island nation’s portfolio of distinguished properties’ is of utmost distinction and importance.” The resort will comprise 40 luxury condominiums together with a 70-room five-star hotel with a sustainable design. Construction is expected to take two years, with the creation of 240 permanent jobs on completion.

Speaking at the sod turning ceremony Bojan Kumer, Marriott’s Director of Development for the Caribbean and Latin America said, “We are excited to bring the brand to the island and be part of its continued growth as a tourism destination. We believe Marriott’s Autograph Collection will be a strong addition to the current tourism landscape in the region and this project will endorse Antigua and Barbuda’s as the international gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.”