Providence Hotel and Casino renamed Ramada Georgetown Princess

PRINCESS Hotel and Casino yesterday announced the renaming of its Providence, East Bank Demerara property as RAMADA Georgetown Princess. 

The announcement said the initiative was endorsed by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).
Speaking at a media briefing, Acting Tourism Minister Mr. Irfaan Ali said: “We, in the Ministry of Tourism and the Guyana Tourism Authority will stand ready in supporting them (RAMADA) to ensure the success of this venture.”

He said the rebranding is a major investment in Guyana’s tourism sector while acknowledging the commitment of the Princess Hotel management to improve the local tourism product.
Ali explained that it was not only a name change but a change in the level of services offered, adding that the RAMADA service is second to none.
The Minister said, over the years, the sector has been gaining traction and recognised the ability of large investments so as to foster smaller investments and that the GTA has been working to drive traffic to all hotels, particularly, during off peak seasons.

MAJOR AIRLINE
He also hinted that another major airline will come on board, possibly before the end of 2014, since Guyana is presently in discussions.
General Manager (GM) of the hotel, Mr. Cuneyt Dalcan said all upgrades will be in keeping with RAMADA standards and would see its repositioning in the market place.
“This process of rebranding started in August of 2013 and was endorsed by the Government of Guyana and, over the next 12 months, we will be upgrading,” he pointed out.
All Princess Hotels in the Region will undergo upgrades to RAMADA standards and the name change as a consequence of a worldwide contract signed.
RAMADA, in 1990, joined the Wyndham Hotel Group, which is the world’s largest company with over 7,200 hotels in 65 countries.
Dalcan said it is with this in mind that Princess Hotel inked the contract with RAMADA to use their reservation services which are expected to increase the Princess Hotel’s occupancy.
Princess has not sold any shares to RAMADA and its management remains the same, the GM explained, adding that, being conscious of global warming, the hotel will also be eco-friendly by using LED technology, solar water heating and energy saving systems.
RAMADA Georgetown Princess Hotel will invest US$7M in renovating and refurbishing its rooms, swimming pool, restaurant, lobby, ballroom, reception and other public areas as well as new elevators.
The conference facilities will be improved, too, to facilitate simultaneous translation in five different languages.
Princess Hotel presently has 191 rooms comprising Presidential Suites, VIP and standard rooms. In addition, there are indoor and outdoor food and beverage facilities, including the largest conference, banqueting hall and the largest outdoor pool in the country.

(By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)