Tony Blair Lands In The Cayman Islands
Tony Blair Visits The Cayman Islands
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited the Cayman Islands to give a speech at the recent gala dinner hosted at the renowned Blue Restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman.
Before speaking at the dinner at Blue, Mr. Blair attended a reception at one of the Cayman Islands latest development success stories Camana Bay.
“I’ve wondered why people always said they wanted to come to the Cayman Islands; I think I am discovering why,” he said, looking out at the Crescent. “This is my first visit here and I’m only here a short time, but I think it’s a place where I would like to come back.”
When officially welcoming Mr. Blair before he spoke at the dinner, Premier McKeeva Bush said “You are finally here”.
Later Mr. Bush joked: “I am sorry Mr. Brown wouldn’t let you visit while you were prime minister”, referring to Mr. Blair’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who later succeeded Mr. Blair as prime minister.
Mr. Bush urged Mr. Blair to get some Cayman sand between his toes and to get to know the Cayman Islands.
Mr. Blair said he was only in Cayman for the day however, “I feel very anxious and desirous of a return visit,” he said. “It is a very beautiful place.”
Investment News
A group of investors, new to the Cayman Islands, have injected a substantial amount of capital into the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, promising significant renovations to the property beginning in summer 2012. Private Equity Group is a private equity firm based in Fort Myers, Florida, that have completed more than $1 billion in transactions in the past decade.
The Marriott organisation and Gencom Group will still remain as key shareholders in the resort though, according a news release.
“As new co-owners of this magnificent property, we along with our partner The Gencom Group, look forward to combining our experience in property ownership and development with the expertise of the Marriott Corporation and the resort’s professional staff headed by General Manager Enrique Tasende. We have every confidence in the future of these islands and are pleased to be among our new friends and business associates in Grand Cayman,” said Private Equity Group CEO OJ Buigas.
The resort opened in 1990 and was rebranded as a Marriott in 1997-1998. In 2004, the property was renovated and in 2006 was sold to new owners, including Gencom Group, who are headquartered in Miami, Florida.
Mr. Buigas said Marriott – which manages the property – has approved renovations to begin in summer 2012 and throughout the upcoming years. “All guest rooms and corridors will be renovated as well as the lobby, the ballroom and meeting rooms, restaurants, kitchens, and landscaping.”
The recapitalization of the resort was facilitated in close consultation with the Cayman Islands Government, according to the news release.
