Job seekers from throughout Anguilla crowded the parking lot, gateways and interview rooms at Belmond Cap Juluca on Friday, September 14, a rainy day. They were applying for new employment opportunities as the expanding resort continued to prepare for its grand opening on November 17.
“It was a great day. We had over 300 hundred possible associates turning up, many more than we actually anticipated,” General Manager, Mr. Tiago Sarmento, who is also overseeing the rebuilding project told The Anguillian this week. We anticipated between 50 and 100 so it was just outstanding to see so many people interested in Belmond Cap Juluca’s opportunities.”
“One of the greatest things that I have noticed, as I was meeting all the candidates, is that Anguilla has such a powerful young generation that really makes me believe that we have a great future as a country here. They are so extremely talented with great energy and a stunning attitude that I feel that not only Belmond Cap Juluca, but all the other companies in Anguilla, are very blessed to have such a nice pool of associates coming in.”
Mr. Sarmento continued: “Belmond Cap Juluca is planning to open with 140 vacancies across the several operating departments. We had around 220 positions taken before we closed and we expect that we can now go up to as many 360 positions for the high season. So we need to make sure that we have the best talent in terms of attitude and we will train the rest. We are still targeting November 17 as Belmond Cap Juluca’s opening date and everything is now at full steam to make sure that happens.
“Our furniture and other equipment have started to arrive Landscaping began a few weeks ago so we have already seen new trees and new grass coming up. I think the next eight weeks we will see much more advancement that in the past year. We will be adding five new guest bedroom villas. We are losing some count in bedrooms as we have merged some of them because their former size was not enough for Belmond’s quality of service. In total, we will be opening with 108 bedrooms with a stunning spa overlooking the beach; an events ballroom also overlooking Maundays Bay; and four culinary concepts: one Peruvian; one Italia; one Anguillian and a Beach Shack. Before we closed, Cap Juluca had around 67 rooms and will now open with 108 – another 40-odd rooms.”
Cap Juluca, formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hickox, was acquired in May 2017 by Belmond Ltd. with headquarters in London. The company operates a collection of luxury hotels, train services and river cruises around the world. Belmond Cap Juluca was closed in August that year for renovation and expansion with November 2018 as the completion date. That deadline is now being met, as stated earlier, with a fresh and expanded luxury resort and new opportunities for employment.
