Wickline said following the renovation, the hotel will need 200 to 250 new employees, which will require Palms Resort to focus on an extensive training of potential staff.
“This is a bold move and a bold plan that comes with several challenges. We need the cooperation of the government, the chamber of commerce, the hotel industry and the tourism industry to help create a platform for employment because where we will get employees to hire for the different positions is a big question,” Wickline said.
Federal immigration law now applies to the CNMI.
Wickline said they are confident of working with a team of world-class hotel talents.”
He said the United Micronesia Development Association Inc. board agreed that it is time to revitalize the product for the new millennium. UMDA owns the storey hotel.
“We are going to dive right in with a great design and a potent new brand to restore the hotel to world-class status within the next 18 months,” Wickline said.
He said the estimated $20 million renovation is designed to come up with a new concept centered on a lifestyle destination that offers services not available anywhere else in Micronesia region.
Palms Resort will be reopened and re-launched under the Nectar brand, “a cutting edge resort brand that delivers a vibrant lifestyle experience to the young at heart.”
Wickline said the renovation will include world-class, full service spa and top-of-the line facilities for entertainment, tranquility and relaxation.
But he said they are also highly dependent on the airline industry to bring in more tourists to the island.
UMDA counsel Robert Torres said the employees to be retained are those in maintenance positions. They will maintain the security and physical condition of the resort.
Torres said with the developments and changes in immigration and labor policies, there is no assurance that the resort will rehire those who have been laid off.
But he said the resort will do the best it can to help facilitate employment transfers.
“The [human resource] department will be coordinating with other hotels onisland for placement of these employees,” Torres said.
Some hotel employees told the Variety that they are very sad to lose their jobs, especially in these hard economic conditions.
“But there is nothing we can do about it,” they said.
Wickline said on Oct. 5, the hotel property will be closed and secured to begin renovations.
He said on its re-launching, the hotel will be offering special promotions and re-opening packages and rates for returning pre-renovation guests.
UMDA acquired the hotel in Feb. 2008. Formerly known as the Hotel Nikko, Palms Resort Saipan is a 14-story, 313-room resort on a 30-acre area.
Also present during yesterday’s press conference was UMDA chairman Jose Lifoifoi.
