WILLEMSTAD - The first group of the 500 employees that have been identified by luxury resort Sandals Royal Curaçao for work left for Jamaica yesterday. There the new employees will receive training.

Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia, said goodbye to the intended hotel employees at Hato airport yesterday. Larmonie-Cecilia is happy that there is a chance that 500 Curaçaoans can become part of the 'Sandals family'. The Jamaican hotel chain has resorts on several islands in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, Antigua and Bahamas.

Larmonie-Cecilia wished the participants good luck and advised them to make the most of this opportunity. The minister quoted American motivational speaker Denis Waitley as “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.”

Sandals Royal Curaçao will receive its first guests on April 14. The all-inclusive resort in the former Santa Barbara Resort has 351 luxurious rooms and suites. There will be two new signature suite categories, the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows and the Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, featuring Tranquility Soaking Tubs, private pools and butler service. Guests of these super-de-luxe suites can explore the island in a Mini Cooper. These are available to them for free. The hotel caters to couples.