Children of the Drums performs during the official opening of the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston yesterday. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Unveiling a boutique property, while launching the revolutionary 'Kingston 360 degrees' campaign, the country's newest hotelier says Jamaica's capital city has returned to being a formidable tourist destination.

Spanish Court Hotel's Managing Director, Christopher Issa, who heads the Crissa Group, yesterday officially opened the first major hotel to be built in the capital city in 40 years, adding 107 stunning rooms to the accommodation stock in the region's cultural centre.

Spanish Court, which started receiving guests in February this year, is located in the business district in New Kingston on what was once the site of a shopping plaza. Every effort was made to preserve the landmark Spanish-style exterior architecture.

Aim to show rich diversity

However, the hotel's managing director will tell you that filling a need to provide accommodation that comes with great dining, contemporary amenities, functional design, art deco, bold colours and patterns is just one aspect of the thrust he is embarking on.

His aim is to have stakeholders, particularly Jamaicans, showcasing a potpourri of rich cultural heritage and diversity that celebrates the return of Kingston to its heyday, while offering the option of experiencing some 360 things that can be done in and around Kingston - from the near magical effects of the breathtaking Blue Mountains to the inner-city richness that is Passa Passa, the pulsating rhythms found only in this cosmopolitan city, incredible restaurants such as Gloria's, Fort Clarence beach, fairs, fashion shows, theatre, rum, music and rich diversity that define the area.

Complete cosmopolitan city

Christopher Issa (left), managing director of the Spanish Court Hotel, presents a Kingston 360-degree shirt to Edmund Bartlett, minister of tourism, during the official opening of the hotel in New Kingston yesterday.

Admittedly concerned that there are people who are still apprehensive about visiting Kingston, not only is the hotelier hoping Kingston 360 degrees will decrease that fear, but he is banking on people considering it "a crime not to visit Kingston".

Addressing some 800 guests in the courtyard of his hotel, Issa spoke of a dream to see Kingston become the complete cosmopolitan city.

His speech was augmented by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett, who lauded the creation of the new facility as setting a pace that is unmatched by any other city or town in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Bartlett had high praises for the management which he said has placed great emphasis on service excellence.

"Spanish Court's 'Real style, Real service' approach is critical to the success of any business, especially those involved in tourism. It adds value to the customer experience and serves as a draw for new and repeat visitors," he said. "All members of staff should strive to consistently deliver high quality and personalised service and, thereby, enhance the visitor experience."

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com