Riu hosts infirmary residents for Tourism Awareness Week

OCHO RIOS, St Ann: THE THREAT of Hurricane Matthew might have delayed the event for a week, but there was no stopping them last weekend.

Approximately 12 residents from the St Ann Infirmary spent an enjoyable day at ClubHotel RIU Ocho Rios, as the hotel’s contribution to a week of activities in St Ann marking Tourism Awareness Week 2016.

The hosting of the residents by Riu was the highlight of the week, organised by the Ocho Rios Runaway Bay Chapter (ORRBC) of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association, under the chairmanship of Vana Taylor.

A church service, school visits and community outreach programmes all formed part of the week, which was supposed to culminate on October 1 with the treat at the hotel, before the hurricane intervened.

Last Saturday at Riu, all thoughts of hurricane were banished as the residents indulged, for the third straight year, in the luxuries of the resort property.

“Thank the Lord we were spared from that (hurricane), so we saved it for this week and this is a beautiful, wonderful day,” remarked Taylor.

“Of course, today they were on the beach enjoying themselves, enjoying the pool, the food, the entertainment. The staff was also assisting us with them. It’s a total day of enjoyment at Riu, you can see the laughter, the enjoyment you can see it’s a wonderful idea and a wonderful event for the less fortunate in our community.”

The residents were accompanied by medical personnel and other support staff from the facility, while Taylor was assisted by members of the ORRBC.

Another 110 residents at the infirmary who were not able to make the trip were not forgotten, as the hotel brought and served them lunch.

Taylor reminded that the ORRBC continues to focus on the less fortunate, hence the hotel treat during Tourism Awareness Week and the support of the St Ann’s Bay Regional Hospital, which was originally a Labour Day target project but is now being focused on year round.

Meanwhile, the hotel staff once again welcomed the residents and offered them the same excellent service that is offered to all guests.

Public relations manager at ClubHotel RIU Ocho Rios, Carlington Pryce, said the hotel was delighted to host the infirmary residents for yet another year during Tourism Awareness Week.

“We were extremely happy for the opportunity to host the infirmary residents,” Pryce told Rural Xpress. “They all had fun and that was most important to the team. The management of ClubHotel RIU Ocho Rios will continue to support our communities.”