Llana Beach Hotel open on the shores of Sal Island
On Saturday 10th December, CEO of The Resort Group PLC, Rob Jarrett officially opened the 5-star luxury Llana Beach Hotels in the company of Cape Verdean Minister of Economy & Tourism Mr. José Gonçalves, the Mayor of Sal, representatives from Meliá Hotels International and selected guests.
Mr Jarrett hosted a VIP Executive meal to start proceedings, in which he welcomed representatives from The Resort Group PLC such as Non-Executive Chairman Sir Peter Middleton, Non-Executive Directors Keith Bayliss and Philip Johnston; officials from the ministries of Economy, Travel and Investment; delegates from both Sal Island and Boa Vista as well as other honoured invitees including the Vice President of Meliá and department heads at Sensimar. The red ribbon was then cut at a small private ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Group’s third luxury development, Llana Beach Hotels on Sal Island.
The two luxury hotels, which will operate under Meliá Hotels International and the new TUI brand, Sensimar will open officially on the 18th December for its first guests and are situated between MELIÃ Tortuga Beach Resort and MELIÃ Dunas Beach Resort & Spa on Ponta Preta beach which is a prime coastal location. The resort comprises 605 suites, offering a variety of bars, shops and restaurants as well as a shared YHI Spa to give that true luxury guest experience. Designed to accommodate the increasingly high levels of tourism in Cape Verde with its adult-only premium holiday experience, the hotels offer stunning ocean views and is within minutes walk from Sal Island’s new beach club and restaurant Bikini Beach Club, which is part of the Group’s integrated strategy to promote the touristic value of the area.
The private party began at sunset with speeches from Sal’s Mayor Julio Lopes, Mr Victor Fidalgo, the Minister and Mr Jarrett. The Resort Group’s CEO, Rob Jarrett, took to the stage at the official opening ceremony to speak about the development of the two Llana Beach Hotels, into which TRG has invested €70million, as well as their role in promoting Cape Verde as a holiday destination.
Minister José Gonçalves commented that “The Llana Hotels came at a good point as part of the global economic recovery and is a reaffirmation of the trust placed in the government by the investors and operators of the tourism sector in the country.” José Gonçalves pointed out that the destination of Cape Verde is expected to grow and that next year it is projected to see more than 650 thousand tourists and 800 thousand in 2018. While Mayor of Sal, Mr. Julio Lopes said that it will be necessary to focus on quality. Using Llana Beach Hotels as a bench mark for a “quality tourism proposition” and “quality investment offering”. The Mayor also stressed that this investment by The Resort Group PLC will generate “added value” to tourism on the island.
The entrepreneur and Resort owner, Mr. Jarrett, thanked the Cape Verdean people for their ongoing support and The Group for helping bring the new Resort to completion. He described “the overall vision for investment, which will be worth £1.5 Billion to Cape Verde, ensures that tourism is very much part of the sustainability plan and long term economic growth for Cape Verde.”
Following the speeches, the guests toasted the new Resort by enjoying a stunning gala buffet dinner, which catered for over 800 guests, and were entertained with an array of extraordinary entertainers.
The guests were entertained by both Cape Verdean celebrities as well as British and US artists. The line up included newly signed Raj’d music legend Fantcha, British solo artist Jamelia, renowned Gibraltarian band Jet Stream, X Factor Finalists Rough Copy, Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and visual drum artist DJ AFISHAL. Finally, International headline act, Jason Derulo surprised the guests with an appearance on the beach stage bringing the evening to a close. The night was completed with a 10 minute spectacular fireworks display to mark the end of one chapter on Sal Island but the start of another for The Resort Group on Boa Vista with White Sands Hotel & Spa Resort.
The two Llana Hotels will officially be open to holidaymakers and guests on the 18th December 2016. It has over 600 suites and can welcome 43,873 tourists per year, creating approximately 500 jobs locally. For more information about Llana Beach Hotels and The Resort Group PLC’s other developments, get in touch via our contact page today.