Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

[evanovitch]

Another Spanish owned hotel, the Grand Bahia Principe on the outskirts of Runaway Bay, St. Ann has announced that it will be cutting staff.

The announced staff cuts follows closely on that by Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel in Negril, Westmoreland, after it said it had to close one property due to lack of occupancy.

The 1,900 room Grand Bahia Principe Hotel has cited low occupancy projections as the reason it had to reduce its staff count.

In a memo to its staff, the hotel did not say how many members of its team would be sent off but RJR News sources say as many as 172 workers could go, excluding the several Spanish nationals employed in varying capacities.

The hotel has already met with several departments to discuss the planned staff cuts.

The massive hotel opened last year amidst controversy including a run in with environmental agencies and a wall collapsing, killing two people.

Just last week, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach postponed sending home about 300 workers after their union intervened.

The hotel said it would wait another 30 days to allow the parties' time to review the effects of the global economic crisis on the hotel's operations.

Iberostar confirmed two weeks ago that the Rose Hall Beach hotel, which was opened in 2007, would be closed due to financial challenges as a result of poor bookings.

Despite this, Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett continues to maintain that the tourism product remains viable.

Last week, Mr. Bartlett said in the last eight months, with the exception of March, Jamaica has been one of three countries to report monthly growth rates.

According to him, the opening of the 700 room Secrets Hotel and the Palmyra with an additional 640 rooms by next March will help to find employment for many displaced workers.

[evanovitch]

Bartlett says more hotels to cut staff

Bartlett says more hotels to cut staff
Monday, 07 September 2009
More hotel workers are expected to be laid off in coming weeks but Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett is insisting that there is no need for alarm. News came Sunday that another Spanish owned hotel, the Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica on the outskirts of Runaway Bay, St. Ann, will be cutting staff.

This come two weeks after Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Hotel in Negril, Westmoreland announced that it would be closing one of its three properties due to low occupancy.

Mr. Bartlett told RJR's Financial Report that he has a list of other properties which will be laying off staff over the next few months which are traditionally considered the slow period for the tourism sector.

He did not disclose the number of hotels on the list but said the move to reduce their work force is not surprising.

&quot;We have a list of a number of hotels that <span style="font-weight: bold">have indicated that they are likely to be making adjustments in preparation for the season to come and this is normal</span>. It is clear that we should expect more cuts but it's not about laying off people terminally, but making adjustments for the shoulder months,&quot; said Mr. Bartlett.

[Amberal37]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

Perhaps the Ja government should revoke the visas of the Spanish nationals so they are forced to use Ja workers for the remainder of their open period.

Apart from the fact that this is a large part must be due to the pressure that the spanis investors are facing with the state their economy is in, I generally don't think think that it's a bad thing to have the Spanish hotel chains out, the government should look at perhaps joint venture funding, alternate sources of/tendering or diversifying the brands alltogether.

[evanovitch]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

such stock was placed in their investments not to mention the much ballyhooed future buildings....i also wonder wat is happening re the lowered incoming numbers...dont we haffi pay some airlines if di numbas not up dere?

[Amberal37]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">such stock was placed in their investments not to mention the much ballyhooed future buildings....i also wonder wat is happening re the lowered incoming numbers...dont we haffi pay some airlines if di numbas not up dere? </div></div>

Recent statistics are that the numbers are not lower - not for jamaica anyway, although they (they GOJ) were expecting lower numbers.

But yes, hotels have had to discount in order to attract business - but that is the risk of such a business.

Personally I think that they were overcharging anyway, and if this discounting could be build in as permanent price reduction - all the better!

I will also go further to say that I don't think that the Spanish hotel chains are making a huge loss in Ja. I think that they want a corporate restructing that would facilitate moving more profits to Spain. From other settings, I can easily see how having a larger proportion of Spanish workforce would facilitate this. This is why I mentioned revocation of the visas-

The fact that they are able to lay off so much of the Ja workforce without shedding their Spanish (and thereby foreign) workforce, goes to show that their is possible weakness in employment and work visa policy in Ja.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

Are you a teenager? Jamaican government been there and done that. Jamaica government built every one of the original hotel buildings that had over 100 rooms. . They were mostly operated by American corporations and they were all closed in the 70's. Most of those corporations haven't returned. the Spanish built their buildings, and even if they fire all the wickers they can't move them. Jamaica government have the right to repossess them and keep them operational like is done of every civilized country.
You think that if wall street bankers decide to shutter their business, the city would not repossess them and sent them out? Well Jamaica Have that right too. It is a matter that if the market does not support the business, nobody can do anything about it. Now with an airline that is different. Since the equipment can be removed. So all you smarties that are supporting the Air Jamaica privatization better be ready to be silenced when you look like fools. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: amberal 37</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Perhaps the Ja government should revoke the visas of the Spanish nationals so they are forced to use Ja workers for the remainder of their open period.

Apart from the fact that this is a large part must be due to the pressure that the spanish investors are facing with the state their economy is in, I generally don't think think that it's a bad thing to have the Spanish hotel chains out, the government should look at perhaps joint venture funding, alternate sources of/tendering or diversifying the brands altogether.
</div></div>

[Amberal37]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you a teenager? Jamaican government been there and done that. Jamaica government built every one of the original hotel buildings that had over 100 rooms. . They were mostly operated by American corporations and they were all closed in the 70's. Most of those corporations haven't returned. the Spanish built their buildings, and even if they fire all the wickers they can't move them. Jamaica government have the right to repossess them and keep them operational like is done of every civilized country.
You think that if wall street bankers decide to shutter their business, the city would not repossess them and sent them out? Well Jamaica Have that right too. It is a matter that if the market does not support the business, nobody can do anything about it. Now with an airline that is different. Since the equipment can be removed. So all you smarties that are supporting the Air Jamaica privatization better be ready to be silenced when you look like fools. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: amberal 37</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Perhaps the Ja government should revoke the visas of the Spanish nationals so they are forced to use Ja workers for the remainder of their open period.

Apart from the fact that this is a large part must be due to the pressure that the spanish investors are facing with the state their economy is in, I generally don't think think that it's a bad thing to have the Spanish hotel chains out, the government should look at perhaps joint venture funding, alternate sources of/tendering or diversifying the brands altogether.
</div></div> </div></div>


I will try to ignore your &quot;smart&quot; comment and stick to the issue - you somehow seem incapable of making a point without attacking, possible signs of a retard, however...

70's - yes Americans investors closed as there was a perception of impending socialism, but then and now - 30+years...what is your point?
Putting Ja aside;
1. If you check recent results from Ja publications, and GOJ websides, as well as business results from other hoteliers then you will see what the recent results have been on tourism.
2. You will also see the recent marketing stategies that HAVE been happening, and where those numbers will come from over the next few monts to a year.
3. Maintaining them, is a different story alltogether, as the rubbish and crime issues are major concerns when it comes to numbers who will want to return, or indeed to recommend.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

They did not close because of any impending socialism, or tgheywould have teturned as soon as the party they put in power was in place. They left because workers had too much power tostrike and they couldn't import their cheap workers, like the garment manufacturers did under the same government. They simply couldn'r offer security for workers under such cinditions, The garment factories were all on the wharf,a dnd could easily be secured, but with hotels it was too expensive to even try to serure as many workers.
Socialism as just to fool the fools.
It had nothing to do wit hslcialism. Manley put in capitalist perograms while the JLP was the forst to introduce welfare and food stamps.
Now that is closer to socialism than to have workers at least lean on brooms. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: amberal37</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you a teenager? Jamaican government been there and done that. Jamaica government built every one of the original hotel buildings that had over 100 rooms. . They were mostly operated by American corporations and they were all closed in the 70's. Most of those corporations haven't returned. the Spanish built their buildings, and even if they fire all the wickers they can't move them. Jamaica government have the right to repossess them and keep them operational like is done of every civilized country.
You think that if wall street bankers decide to shutter their business, the city would not repossess them and sent them out? Well Jamaica Have that right too. It is a matter that if the market does not support the business, nobody can do anything about it. Now with an airline that is different. Since the equipment can be removed. So all you smarties that are supporting the Air Jamaica privatization better be ready to be silenced when you look like fools. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: amberal 37</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Perhaps the Ja government should revoke the visas of the Spanish nationals so they are forced to use Ja workers for the remainder of their open period.

Apart from the fact that this is a large part must be due to the pressure that the spanish investors are facing with the state their economy is in, I generally don't think think that it's a bad thing to have the Spanish hotel chains out, the government should look at perhaps joint venture funding, alternate sources of/tendering or diversifying the brands altogether.
</div></div> </div></div>


I will try to ignore your &quot;smart&quot; comment and stick to the issue - you somehow seem incapable of making a point without attacking, possible signs of a retard, however...

70's - yes Americans investors closed as there was a perception of impending socialism, but then and now - 30+years...what is your point?
Putting Ja aside;
1. If you check recent results from Ja publications, and GOJ websides, as well as business results from other hoteliers then you will see what the recent results have been on tourism.
2. You will also see the recent marketing stategies that HAVE been happening, and where those numbers will come from over the next few monts to a year.
3. Maintaining them, is a different story alltogether, as the rubbish and crime issues are major concerns when it comes to numbers who will want to return, or indeed to recommend.
</div></div>

[evanovitch]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

so Doc weh di Ja govt a go get di money fi buy dem from di spanish...use di IMF loans r wat

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

pIt does not matter. They simply pay it over time like all other property is paid for. Where did the Manley government get the money to buy the lands they bought from the Bauxite corporations? They paid for it over time.
Did you know that the Mobay airport was funded by the IMF under the IFC/world bank facility?
Do you know that the policy now is to fund private corporations to take over government facilities, task force countries to be enslaved to developed corporations? That is the object of the policy that reduces taxation. With weaker government, they are not in a position to properly represent theor voters.
is the most anti democratic policy i see passing as government. It only fool people who are already fools.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovich</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so Doc weh di Ja govt a go get da money fi buy dem from di spanish...use di IMF loans r wat </div></div>

[evanovitch]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

so wid lowered credit standing u saying dat ongle di IMF dem can get money from wich is a plan to furda impoverish di nation etc etc etc ?

[Marilyn]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

When I pass by the big monsters every trip they look like a graveyard. With the exception of cars parked cross the road and a little activity at the gate, I have YET to see any people walking around the property, coming out on balconies, etc.

When I look at those big monsters, I wonder &quot;how could Sangster possibly land enough planes to fill them, and how in the world could that many people make it through customs/immi etc.? Also how do you move that many people from point A to point B.

It always seemed to me the occupancy expectations of those places and the infra structure that Jamaica would have to handle such were never in synch.

That being said.....there goes one of the major arguments that people make for AI's &quot;At least some Jamaicans have jobs because of them.&quot; ( Had this argument with a gentleman poolside at Gloriana).

Ok so I guess &quot;SOME&quot; people got to keep a job, but fact is ,a lot lost one too.

Last statement...I hate those big monsters.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

The credit standing is not even such problem for the government. Since it will not change the attitude of the historic lenders on the international scene.
Since they were all Jamaican who grab up every one of the loans irrespective of where they were issued.
$2 billion in foreign debts are held by Jamaicans.
So The impact will mostly be on private investors who want to get credit on the international market.

Since no corporation registered in a country can have a higher credit rating than the country it is incorporated in.

They wil either suffer, or move their headquarters ti more favourable rated countries.
So can you say foreign registered companies??

That is what they will all do rush for countries or colonies that have higher credit ratings to set up their domicile.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovich</div><div class="ubbcode-body">so with lowered credit standing u saying dat angle di IMF dem can get money from which is a plan to furda impoverish di nation etc etc etc ? </div></div>

[evanovitch]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff

u need to reread wat u wrote Doc an clarify fi mi...di typos juss not mekking it mek sense...as an aside re the credit standing of corporations vs govt's, u see weh Sagicor has been delisted n dem advising shareholders to change to farrin ctry stocks

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Grand Bahia Principe Hotel cutting staff


Did that.

That is an effect also people like Flo and NCB Capital and all who borrow on adjustable rate <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: evanovitch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">u need to reread wat u wrote Doc an clarify fi mi...di typos juss not mekking it mek sense...as an aside re the credit standing of corporations vs govt's, u see weh Sagicor has been delisted n dem advising shareholders to change to farrin ctry stocks </div></div>