President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday, November 20 officially turned the sod for the construction of the US$ 51 million Marriott Hotel, Guyana at Kingston, Georgetown.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Marriott Vice President Andrew Houghton turned the sod to signal the start of construction of the hotel in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; PPP/C presidential candidate Donald Ramotar; Ministers Dr Ashni Singh, Manniram Prashad, Irfaan Ali and Bheri Ramsarran. Also in photo are Republic Bank Managing Director John Alves (partly hidden), SCG CEO Micheal Zhang and other top officials
Construction of the Marriott Hotel will commence in 2013, by China’s Shanghai Construction Group. Addressing the gathering which included ministers of government and members of the diplomatic corps, Jagdeo said he is confident that the new hotel will meet the expectations set out in the hospitality industry here since there are many flagship hotels that have not been delivering the service that is required for the expanding economy.
Jagdeo said as Guyana grows economically, there will be greater demands for the expansion of the hospitality industry. He believes the Marriott will help to provide quality service and to fill the gap in the industry.
Reiterating that the country has moved from a US$ 300 million economy in 1992 to a whopping US$ 2.5 billion presently, Jagdeo said there will be an increase in business travellers and as such, Guyana will need top-class accommodations.
The president disclosed that two other entities have already approached the government signalling their interest in erecting hotels in Guyana. Making reference to other aspects of infrastructure works that are in the pipelines, the president noted that the government has recently signed a deal with a Chinese company to construct and rehabilitate the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and foresees a major airline shift in Guyana.
Area vice president for Marriott, Andrew Houghton, said his company is excited about its investment in Guyana.
Houghton said not only will the Marriott Hotel provide quality services, but it will create employment.
An artist’s impression of the Marriott Hotel, Guyana
The hotel, he noted, will occupy 200,000 square feet and will have 160 rooms, along with a 75,000 square foot entertainment complex.
The complex will be furnished with modern conveniences and amenities including a casino, restaurants, and a night club.
Giving a brief history of the Marriott family, Houghton noted that the Marriott Brand is known around the world as one of the most prestigious and quality hotel brands; and the hotel chain is present in 72 countries, with more than 3600 hotels and a staff complement of 129,000.
Houghton stated that the new hotel will provide employment for 250 people in the hospitality business.
While, he acknowledged that the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels have been a class one, he is optimistic and ready for the challenge.
Also addressing the gathering was head of the Privatisation Unit, Winston Brassington, who gave a brief background on the project. He recounted that the first talks on the hotel and casino were held in 2004. Subsequently, he said, a design and template of the proposed Marriot Hotel was made ready, but as a result of several challenges, the proposal was only accepted in 2009 after it was amended, with the intention of cutting cost.
He noted that 23 bids for the project were submitted, and seven of those companies were shortlisted.
The SCG Construction Company in Shangai was eventually awarded the contract as it was the lowest bidder. He noted that with the construction of the Guyana Marriot Hotel, the local hotel and hospitality sector will be transformed.
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