Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

RIU Palace Tropical Bay, Negril, has not only topped its competitors locally, but the flagship Jamaican resort has surpassed the rest of the Caribbean, copping Apple Vacation's highest honour, the Crystal Award for 'Best Staff and Service'.

The Crystal Apple Award honours the 'Best of the Best' in six distinct categories. It is the most competitive and honourable award Apple Vacations bestows. Nine other Riu resorts received Golden Apples at a special ceremony in Chicago, Illinois, on September 15.

Both the Crystal Apple and Golden Apple awards recognise hoteliers who have earned exceptional ratings based on nearly 300,000 Vacation Satisfaction Questionnaires completed by Apple vacationers at the end of their stay. Areas rated include overall staff and service, food quality, amenities, public areas, beach and entertainment.

"This award is the fruit of seven years of interim work and the result of how the employees feel about working for us," states Riu's regional director, Daniel Camponovo, in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner.

First Spanish resort

The 416-room resort is the first Spanish resort to be built in Jamaica. Late last year, the property reopened after a US$25 million refurbishing exercise and an upgrade to the Palace status, RIU's most luxurious product line. The resort now offers 24-hour all-inclusive food and beverages, 24-hour room service, and new themed restaurants.

"That was a very smart move by Mr Riu (Luis Riu, owner of the resort), who decided he was going to reinvest in the hotel, taking it from a five star to a palace," stated the regional director.

Campanovo added that to receive an award like this not only reflected the genuine opinion of the guests visiting the resort, but it also gave a big plus to Destination Jamaica, particularly at a time when the world is experiencing a global financial crisis and tourist arrivals are down throughout the region.

Apple Vacations

Campanovo is of the opinion that this type of recognition will play the role of boosting the product as it enters 2010.

For 40 years, Apple Vacations, America's Favorite Vacation Company, has provided convenient vacation packages from all major US cities to the world's most popular sun destinations. Consistently voted 'Best Tour Operator to Mexico and the Caribbean' by readers of the major travel trade magazines, Apple Vacations has delivered more passengers to Mexico and the Dominican Republic than any other North American tour operator.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com