A mass staff party, one hundred prizes, fireworks and dancing climaxed the successful and just-ended tourism season at Belmond Cap Juluca on Sunday night, September 1. The Resort, which closed for the slow period on August 31, will reopen on October 31 for the 2019/2020 season.
In addition to its own staff, called “Julucans”, the closing event attracted many other persons, from the Anguillian community, to celebrate a period which has seen the refurbishing, expansion and reopening of the famed Resort. The delightful function was held at The Events Pavilion, one of the newly-built facilities overlooking the expansive Maundays Bay Beach.
General Manager, Mr. Tiago Moraes Sarmento, addressing the gathering after dinner, reflected on his coming to Anguilla, in August 2017, to oversee the refurbishing and expansion of Cap Juluca and ultimately to manage the property.
“I will never forget the time when I arrived on this beautiful island,” he recalled. “All I knew was that it was filled with good people and there was a Julucan pride. It was a special Resort that had its own soul in a hidden paradise. Every time I met our guests the first question they asked was: ‘When did you get here?’ I replied: ‘Just a month before Hurricane Irma.’ The first thing they said was: ‘What a bad luck!’ Then I responded: ‘No, I very lucky. I would not want to be in any other place on earth than being here in Anguilla for the past two years.’”
Mr. Sarmento continued: “It was a very tough, year especially after Irma, for all of us but we were able to reopen this Resort. I cannot count the number of days, nights and long hours that we all spent together here to make sure we were successful. We had the most successful year in the story of this hotel. I can tell you that all your efforts were worth it – and we are here together to celebrate. All of you are a very important part of this puzzle, and I am so proud of each of you because this is the time to now celebrate. You should be really proud of what we have achieved, and I cannot be prouder.
“I want to thank you for the tough moments and the good laughs we all have had together. I thank God and you. You are very special to me, and all the management team, and we love you.”
Mr. Sarmento’s words were endorsed by Belmond Cap Juluca’s Host, Mr. Kevin Carty, who, along with members of the management team, assisted with the distribution of various prizes won on tickets. One of the main prizes was a trip for two on a jet aircraft to Puerto Rico. Other prizes included stays at hotels in Anguilla and St. Martin, electronic and telecommunication items as well as many more valuable gifts.
The evening of celebration began at 7.30 and continued well into the night with the large gathering filling the beautiful Events Pavilion – and spread out across its decorated grounds with multiple tables and chairs for the dining occasion.
