Story and photos by Indrawattie Natram

RIYADH Khan, a 40-year-old businessman of Lot 50 Henrietta, Region Two, is currently constructing a $500 million five-storey hotel in close proximity to the Anna Regina Stadium.

This ambitious project is being executed by Khan’s construction firm, Rans Contracting and Supplies. Construction began in 2022 and is slated to be completed by the end of 2024.

In an interview with this publication, he explained that he named the hotel “Rif’s” after his father Ariff Khan, as a tribute to his family’s legacy in the region.

For over 45 years, the Khan family has been a reputable name in Region Two, known for their gas stations and spare parts businesses. Now, they are expanding their economic footprint into the hospitality sector.

The hotel will feature 40 fully-equipped rooms which will include single, double, and king suites designed to five-star standards. It will also have a restaurant, a conference room, a 24-hour café and fast food service, laundry services, and a boutique, aiming to enhance the local tourism infrastructure and provide high-quality amenities.

Khan highlighted that the project was originally conceived in 2010 but was deemed unfeasible at the time.

With the current administration’s commitment to regional development and the construction of the international stadium at Anna Regina, Khan was confident of the project’s viability and potential for generating substantial revenue in the accommodation sector.

The hotel’s strategic location will provide guests with easy access to essential services such as banks, a mall, a gym, and supermarkets, further integrating with the local economy.

The project has created employment for 45 construction workers, and, upon completion, it will offer 35 permanent jobs, which will contribute significantly to local employment and economic stability for dozens of families.

Khan expressed gratitude for the support he has received thus far from his parents, his wife Angelica Basir, and their two children.

He emphasised his intention to offer attractive packages to visitors and to promote the agricultural region, aligning with broader efforts to boost regional tourism and economic development.

Khan also expressed gratitude to the Go-Invest office for providing support and assisting with concessions.

He added that the government has made his construction works easy with the assistance given thus far.