Mitchell: Three new hotels coming in 2021

TOURISM, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell has announced that three international hotel brands will open new hotels in TT in 2021.

He made the announcement in his contribution to the budget debate in the Senate.

"The most exciting news that we have, where investment is concerned, is that in 2021, three brand-new hotels with international brands are set to open their doors in Port of Spain and Scarborough."

These are the Radisson Blu Hotel, Brix Hotel by Marriott and the Comfort Inn Suites. The Radisson Blu and Brix Hotels will each open new hotels in Port of Spain. The Comfort Inn Suites will open in Scarborough.

"The Radisson Blu Hotel is a five-star hotel located on Ajax Street in Port of Spain. It will provide Trinidad with an additional 79 high-quality guest rooms, in the form of one- and two-bedroom suites, as well as two presidential-style suites," Mitchell said. He added the hotel's rooftop will have an infinity pool.

For more information on Radisson Blu, see https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/brand/radisson-blu.

"Financial Suites Ltd invested over $132 million in this project. During construction and outfitting phases, employed approximately 500 nationals.

"When this hotel finally opens in March, an estimated 100 nationals will be employed."

He also said the hotel was able to qualify for over $6 million in incentives under the Tourism Development Act.

The Brix Hotel will be on Coblentz Avenue, Port of Spain. Mitchell said when opened, this hotel will be "the embodiment of tourism, culture and arts.

"The hotel will also specifically feature wholly local artistes and art works." Mitchell added, "It is a boutique hotel and on opening will add 161 high-quality rooms to TT's hotel room stock."

He said the $350 million Brix Hotel will employ approximately 100 nationals during its construction phase and qualified for over $8 million in tourism concessions. This hotel, Mitchell continued, will have a rooftop lounge that can accommodate 60 people, plus a restaurant and bar which can accommodate 90 people.

Mitchell said this hotel will cater to business tourism, with meeting rooms that can accommodate 220 people.

On the 74-room Comfort Inn Suites Hotel, at Orange Hill in Scarborough, Mitchell said guests will enjoy a rooftop restaurant and swimming pool with a good view of Scarborough. It will also have meeting rooms, fitness rooms, gift shops and spas.

Approximately 200 nationals are currently employed in building the hotel. Mitchell said when open, it will employ 75.

The total investment for the hotel was $63 million, he said, and incentives valuing $0.19 million were approved.

He declared, "These over $600 million in investments in these major accommodation projects were all made by local investors."

Given the unpredictability of the covid19 pandemic, Mitchell said focus will be placed on domestic travel and tourism. But he said destination development for TT will continue.

"By (the) end of November, TT will have its newly designed destination website."