Jamaica Tourism Minister Bartlett Mourns Passing of Hotelier Pablo Piñero

The Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Pablo Piñero, the president and founder of the Grupo Piñero company – which includes mega-hotel chain Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts.

“On behalf of the Government of Jamaica, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Pablo Piñero. The tourism industry across the globe has certainly suffered an extreme loss and I am sure I speak for all industry leaders across the globe, when I share how very grateful we are for the invaluable contribution he has made to the development of the sector,” said Minister Bartlett.

The 76-year-old was fundamental in Grupo Piñero becoming one of the largest and most influential Spanish hotel chains in the world, with properties in Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Spain.  The company also manages over five million hotel stays per year, has 26 four- and five-star hotels totalling 11,000 rooms and employs around 10,000 people.

The Minister described Pablo Piñero as an outstanding entrepreneur and a global icon in the tourism and hospitality industry.

“He was an exemplary gentleman whose passion and zeal for excellence in hospitality is unmatched. I am truly happy that his company invested so heavily in Jamaica. The Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts resulted in job creation for thousands of Jamaicans. It has also helped to strengthen the global appeal of brand Jamaica by expanding the hotel offerings in the island and significantly impacting the room count,” said the Minister.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts opened in Runaway Bay, St Ann, in 2007, and is now one of the largest hotels in Jamaica with an impressive room-count of over 1300.