The economic recession has not yet overshadowed Guanacaste's appeal before the ayes of tourist developers. Proof of this is that the signature Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) prepares its foray into the business of beach hotels in the country with the chain planning to open two hotel resorts in the province and another ose in the Central Pacific.
"The economic crisis has impacted Guanacaste, but we believe ¡t is a short term phenomenon. The province is a good place, just like the Pacific coast." said Jim Abrahamson, president of IHG in the Americas.
Abrahamson did not specify how soon the openings will take place because of the global financial situation. Those who have already taken steps to start a project in the area are the developers 'Nature Community' owners of the hotel in `Playa Azul' which will be run by the Spanish chain Barcelo Hotels & Resort.
The country will also become the third of most importance in Latin America for Barceló, because of the high number of complexes established, alter Mexico with 12 hotels and Dominican Republic with 11.Barceló Playa Azul will be opening its doors in late 2011 and will be marketed under the brand 'Barceló Premium', the highest class that the firm manages.
The project is developed in an area of 16 hectares; most of its length will be preserved as part of the philosophy of its developers with the complex having 248 rooms and five villas. It will also include a health and beauty center with 60 units of accommodation, a hospital and a research center, which was developed in collaboration with a hospital, whose name was not made known. In addition within the project there will be a shopping center, common areas, restaurants, beach club, pools, meeting and event rooms.
The Medical Center is the centerpiece of the project and will include a shopping center where commercial shops, restaurants, grocery store, chapel, library, school, banks, apartments for 144 employees, among others will be constructed.
"The idea is to create a city where the workers can do their shopping, educate their children, have provision of food and grow some of it organically" said Jorge Mora a CEO of Nature Community.
Courtesy of the newspaper El Mensaje**
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