Cabo Rojo’s Combate Beach joins Tourism Company’s ‘paradores’ program
Parador Combate Beach owner Tomás Ramírez, Tourism Co. Executive Director Luis Rivera-Marín and Jesús Ramos, president of the Paradores Association. (Credit: Tourism Company)
The 18-room oceanfront Combate Beach Resort in Cabo Rojo officially joined the list of Tourism Company-endorsed “paradores,” Wednesday, taking on a new identity as part of the inclusion.
Now known as Parador Combate Beach, the property will benefit from the incentives offered through Tourism’s “Paradores de Puerto Rico” program, which supports small inns through marketing efforts on and off the island, company officials said.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Tourism Company Executive Director Luis Rivera-Marín said the addition of the Parador Combate Beach hotel into the western region’s portfolio of properties “definitely strengthens our offer for local and international visitors.”
“At the Tourism Company we’re very committed to expanding and strengthening the occupation rates of our paradores, which are an example of the hospitality of our people,” Rivera-Marín said.
“We’re happy today to be able to count on the facilities and staff of the new Parador Combate Beach to enrich the Porta del Sol region’s tourism alternatives,” he said, referring to the marketing name given to the island’s western flank.
Property owners XJTT Hospitality Inc. purchased the hotel in late 2010 for $1.8 million. During the first five months after the acquisition, the company invested more than $500,000 as part of a three-year remodeling and expansion plan that will put the total investment at $2.4 million.
Luis Rivera Marín (Credit: Tourism Company)
The first phase of the remodeling created more than 30 direct and indirect jobs, in Porta del Sol’s southwestern area. By the end of the year, XJTT will pump another $250,000 into the property to add six rooms, including a bridal suite to strengthen its foray into the weddings and anniversaries market.
“Becoming part of the Tourism Company’s paradores program is an important component in our strategic plan as it gives us a platform to expand our exposure in the local and international markets,” said XJTT Hospitality President Tomás Ramírez, adding that the new status will also represent savings for guests who pay the lower 7 percent room tax rate applicable to paradores. Hotels pass on a 9 percent room tax.
“The Combate Beach Resort’s tourism offering will be an excellent addition to the ‘Paradores de Puerto Rico’ program,” he said. “Although we’ve been operating for a short time, the property is already recognized on the island and has welcomed guests from the U.S. mainland, Ukraine, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Venezuela, and Sweden, who learned about the resort through our online marketing program.”
The Parador Combate Beach straddles one of the island’s most pristine beaches along the Caribbean Sea, with direct access to the 1,500-acre Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, which has a walking and biking trail and is home to more than 126 species of local and migratory birds.
The property features Xabores, an international tapas restaurant with capacity for 60 people, the 12 Rounds Lounge & Sports Bar with capacity for between 70 and 100 people, the Serenity Spa, the Cay Gift Shop, a 700-bottle wine cellar, a pool, recreational facilities, a half court, a beach volleyball court, among other amenities.
