Radisson to open its doors by September 30

By Linda Straker

A design team is presently in the process of conduct-ing the inventory that will result in the transformation of Grenada Grand Beach Resort to Radisson Grenada Beach Resort by September 30, 2013.

Earlier this month, the Trinidad & Tobago-based Allied Hotels & Resorts, which is chaired by Issa Nicholas, announced that it had reached an agreement with Carlson Rezidor Group to transform its hotel properties in Barbados, Trinidad and Grenada into Radisson hotels.

“From now to then, the Design Team of CMMI and Radisson will transform all public spaces, all guestrooms and suites, the Convention Centre, all Food and Beverage outlets, etc.,” said Daniel Nicholas, Executive Director at Grenada Grand, who said that the Government of Grenada is to be praised for supporting this exciting achievement which has been years in the making.

As a result of the Radisson brand setting up, it will mean Grenada will have its first operational globally branded resort in many years backed by one of the world’s largest hotel groups and the world’s largest corporate travel agency network, Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

“Grenada will have a greater sales and marketing presence on the world stage and be closer to competing on par with its regional neighbours with their collection of brands: a world-class convention centre and access to world-class trainers, training programmes and brand standards implementing the brand’s ‘Yes I Can’ service philosophy,” said Nicholas, who is confident that the brand’s loyalty points programme, called Club Carlson, will encourage millions of cardholders around the world to redeem points for their Caribbean vacations in Grenada.

During reconstruction and transition, Nicholas said that more than 200 tradespersons will be employed in the refurbishment transformation and over 200 full-time staff following the official opening.

Higher occupancy levels and higher ADR will drive greater prosperity to the various economic sectors in society and greater cash-flows into the Treasury; as well as facilitating the construction of another 150 guestrooms and facilities in Phase 2.

Tourism officials believe that the Sandals and Radisson products in Grenada will be the genesis of attracting additional highly respected brands to Grenada. “This is the turning point for our Tourism industry,” one official said.