The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation was on the 22nd of October, the recipient of an Award of Recognition for outstanding contributions to the promotion of Jamaican Heritage. The award was presented by the Chairman Mr. Patrick Stanigar at an award ceremony held at the Courtleigh Auditorium. The Spanish Jamaican Foundation has had long standing relations with the JNHT and has worked in collaboration with them on projects such as the Jamaica Heritage Trail and the upcoming New Seville Refurbishment Project.

On Thursday September 17, 2009, the Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva hosted an appreciation ceremony for several of the sponsors who contributed towards the newly constructed King of Spain Ward at the Spanish Town Hospital.

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On October 7, 2009, Seawind Key Investments Limited, announced that they would be donating J$3 million to the expansion of the Holy Family Self Help Centre in the inner-city community of Mt. Salem, Montego Bay. The announcement was made during a signing ceremony at the institution by Seawind Key’s chairman Salvador Luque Garcia, the Fuerte Foundation,( a Spain based charitable organization) and the Most Rev. Bishop Charles Dufour.

Seawind Key’s donation will account for 80 per cent of the funds required, while the other 20 per cent contributed will be evenly split between the Fuerte Foundation and the Catholic Church. The self help centre offers skills training primarily to single mothers in housekeeping and waitressing, and has seen the successful graduation of approximately 1500 men and women since 1997.

The money donated will be used to construct two new wings on the existing property, facilitating the expansion of training rooms for prospective tourism workers. “Basic computer skills are also taught and sewing for those still interested in the skill,” said Bishop of Montego Bay, Rev. Charles Dufour.

Among the nine other RIU Hotels, RIU Tropical Bay Negril was in line to cop one of the most prestigious awards within the world tourism industry. The award was received by Annette Schmid, Vice President of Corporate Contracting for the Caribbean, Florida and Mexico for RIU Hotels & Resorts, who stated, “This award honours the team members in the destination Jamaica as well as the destination itself. It is also a sign of the good acceptance the RIU Palace line continues to have amongst our clients and partners in the Unites States.”

Both the Crystal Apple and Golden Apple Awards recognize hoteliers who have earned exceptional ratings based on nearly 300,000 Vacation Satisfaction Questionnaires completed by Apple Vacationers at the end of their vacations. Overall staff and service, food quality, amenities, public areas, beach and entertainment, were areas rated.

The Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, commented “This is an important award from the number one tour operator in the US, the prime market for Jamaica’s Tourism. It is also a well recognized award within the world tourism industry. The whole Jamaican Tourism Industry should be proud of this.”

The Gran Bahia Principe – Jamaica was a platinum sponsor at the recently concluded Jamaica Cancer Society (St Ann / St. Mary)” Relay for Life”, held in September 2009. The annual event saw hundreds of persons walking to raise funds to assist with this very important project. Over 70 employees from the hotel, walked in support of this very worthwhile cause.

The hotel also donated a prize of a week’s vacation at the property, which was raffled at a fundraising event organized by the Rotary Club of Pinehurst North Carolina and The Rotary Club of Ocho Rios. The raffle raised over J$3.7 million dollars which was used to purchase equipment for the newly established “High Dependency Unit” at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital.

The presentation ceremony was held on Monday, October 12, 2009.