Above: a rendering of the new Park Hyatt coming to St Kitts

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Park Hyatt St Kitts is eyeing early 2016 for the hotel to launch operations, according to a release from the country’s tourist board.

The 200-key resort expects to open 134 rooms during the winter season of 2015/2016. Construction is already underway on the project, which is located within the Christophe Harbour development on St Kitts’ southeastern peninsula.

It will be the first Park Hyatt in the Caribbean region.

Several regional officials at Hyatt recently visited St Kitts to review the progress at the project, led by Myles McGourty, Hyatt’s senior vice president of field operations for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The team met with St Kitts and Nevis Tourism Minister Ricky Skerritt, discussing in part the upcoming marketing and human resource needs for the project.

“Hyatt is recognized as a leader in promoting and nurturing a positive and diverse workplace environment and its strong commitment to these issues in support of the future Park Hyatt St Kitts is evident,” Skerritt said. “Addressing matters of people empowerment, an underlying principle of our Labour Party Government, is a value we share. I am particularly pleased to learn about the company´s philosophy in supporting the hiring of local employees, and providing them with the necessary training needed in order to develop their skills for this unique project.”

Following the talks, McGourty said Hyatt was “excited” to bring the brand to the island.

“Park Hyatt St Kitts will evoke a strong sense of place through its design and the unforgettable experiences its guests will enjoy,” he said.

The project is being developed by Dubai-based Range Developments, led by Mohammed Asaria, vice chairman and co-founder.

“I am delighted to see that work is proceeding as planned,” Asaria said. “We are committed to providing quality jobs for the people of St Kitts and helping to boost the economic growth of this lovely Caribbean island.”