Developers are expected to break ground next February for a US$20 million Marriot-branded hotel within the confines of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) compound at Timehri and which plans to cater to airport and airline staff.
On Friday, R. Bassoo and Sons Ltd announced that it has entered into initial agreements with Marriott Hotels International and the Government of Guyana to design and build a Courtyard by Marriott at CJIA.
The six-storey Marriott Courtyard with 140 rooms and amenities is anticipated to be open by 2023 at the location that currently houses the Lotus Restaurant at the airport.
The company said in a statement that it will be located a one-minute drive away from the entrance of the CJIA and is expected to accommodate airline crew and staff, business personnel, diplomats, and other travellers.
Speaking with Sunday Stabroek last evening, Roy Bassoo explained that their decades long presence at the airport via the Lotus Restaurant made them aware that this was an un-serviced area of the hospitality market.
“We wanted the right conditions before we invested and those conditions came with the opening of the oil and gas sector and the government RFP [request for proposal],” Bassoo explained, while noting that the burgeoning oil sector has renewed interest in local investment opportunities.
He predicted that the anticipated economic growth following petroleum exploration and mining, and government-led initiatives in housing and agriculture will likely increase the number of travelers to and from Guyana, and consequently a partnership with Marriott to build a hotel will successfully expand the company’s portfolio into the hospitality sector.
According to the company’s statement, the agreements signed follow a response to the government’s request for proposal (RFP) and include: a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Marriott; a completed market study by Hotel Valuation Services (HVS), and a conceptual design by Urbahn Architects (New York’s 2019 Design Firm of the Year). Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has also made an indicative offer of financing.
The businessman added that as part of the research, HVS, one of the foremost hotel valuation firms, interviewed almost all the major airlines coming into Guyana and they have all shown interest in utilizing the hotel when it is completed.
“I have personally spoken with the regional manager of Caribbean Airlines who has also indicated that as soon as the hotel is up all his pilots and aircraft crew would be staying there because it is very convenient, especially when there is a turnaround flight,” Bassoo noted, while stressing that his company was no stranger to airline operations since they have provided them catering services for years.
Also likely to benefit is the surrounding community, including farmers as not only will the hotel provide employment but it has also commit to using produce farmed in the vicinity.
“We buy from local farmers for the restaurant and will continue to do so for the hotel,” Bassoo stressed.
Friday’s statement indicated that the project is fully supported by the Government of Guyana and Go-Invest.
Peter Ramsaroop, CEO of Go-Invest, is reported as demonstrating his eagerness to work with investors towards the continued growth and transformation of the Guyanese economy while Ramesh Ghir, CEO of CJIA Corporation, stated that the hotel will not only benefit the airport and its stakeholders but create employment opportunities for over 300 persons living along the upper East Bank/Timehri area.
Construction is expected to begin in mid-2021 and will be led by Bassoo Building and Civil Engineering Contractors with support from qualified sub-contractors with technical experience in hotel construction.
The hotel will be the second Marriott-branded hotel in Guyana. (Thandeka Percival)
