{"id":42911,"date":"2026-06-16T14:26:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T12:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.riu.com\/blog\/?p=42911"},"modified":"2026-06-16T15:23:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T13:23:22","slug":"25th-anniversary-hotels-jamaica-history-resilience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.riu.com\/blog\/en\/25th-anniversary-hotels-jamaica-history-resilience\/","title":{"rendered":"25 Years of \u201cRespect and Love\u201d: RIU Celebrates Jamaica\u2019s Success and Resilience on its Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jamaica<\/a> holds a special place in my heart. A few years ago, I explained that it is the destination that has brought me the greatest personal and professional satisfaction throughout my career<\/a>. Today, I would add that I also have enormous respect for it. This year, we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary<\/strong>, and more than ever I believe that the island\u2019s unique energy and the spirit of its people are truly infectious<\/strong>. After suffering greatly from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica has made a remarkab<\/a>l<\/a>e recovery<\/a>. Its people are resilient and courageous. In addition, the authorities responded swiftly and effectively. Tour operators and visitors also showed their affection for the destination by continuing to support it and returning to the island very soon afterwards. For all these reasons, there is much to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I first visited Jamaica in 1995<\/strong>. I wanted to see how the All Inclusive concept<\/a> worked, as it was offered in very few destinations around the world at the time. What I discovered was a vibrant island of extraordinary beauty that I immediately knew had to become part of RIU Hotels\u2019 portfolio<\/a>. Reggae music<\/strong> is a national treasure and an incredibly powerful attraction. It forms part of the soundtrack to our lives and instantly transports you to this tropical paradise. So, I returned to Jamaica in 1999, hired a car, and when I arrived in <\/strong>Neg<\/strong><\/a>r<\/a><\/strong>il<\/strong><\/a>, I knew I was standing on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Luis
Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts, with his sons Luis and Roberto, and Alejandro S\u00e1nchez, the Director of Operations for RIU in Jamaica.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

RIU’s commitment to Jamaica: Seven hotels opened since 2001<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And that is how it all began. In 2001, we opened the <\/strong>Riu Tropical Bay<\/strong><\/a> and have continued to grow with the opening of<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n