Speaking to this newspaper, a spokesman for the Kempinski Group denied rumours that the group was packing up and leaving Gozo. The rumours must have probably started after it was announced that the resort was closing down for a period of five months for it to be extended in order to be able to provide its guests with a more exquisite holiday destination.

The spokesman said the hotel owners and the Kempinski Group have had extensive talks recently and a decision was taken to build an extension to the hotel. The project, which involves an investment of Lm3 million, will see the construction of a number of exclusive deluxe and executive suites.

The spokesman said that having a construction site adjacent to a five-star superior hotel is not exactly what hotel guests would like. Therefore, a decision was taken to close the hotel on 1 November for the project to begin. The resort will re-open for business on 1 April.

In the meantime, the owners and the group is doing its best to find, wherever possible, temporary employment for the resort’s 130 employees.

“The company will do its best not to lose its employees, firstly because these have all been trained on their specific job and secondly because they believe people are the key to a successful operation,” the spokesman said.

Kempinski Hotels and Resorts is also Europe’s oldest luxury hotel management company. While maintaining a leading position in the business travel market, endorsed by renowned properties in many of the world’s leading cities, Kempinski Hotels and Resorts has entered the global resort market in response to growing

customer demand.

The group currently has nine resorts which offer a range of leisure facilities, luxury spa and a breathtaking location. These include resorts in the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Uruguay, Kuwait, two in Germany and two in Switzerland, apart from the Kempinski San Lawrenz resort in Gozo.