The smooth jazz of a saxaphone on the beach enhanced the palpable air of excitement on the evening of December 6th. A who's-who of Placencia's tourism industry gathered in celebration of the opening of the long awaited and highly anticpated Itz'ana Resort & Residences. Most notably in attendence was the First Lady of Belize, Kim Simplis Barrow, who was the first to place an honorary shovel of cement along side our Developer, Fernando Paiz, at our Groundbreaking Ceremony 4 years ago.
"We are honored to have with us today, our partners, Atlantic Bank and JEBCO and Home Owners: The Lawson Family, The Muse Family,
The Verco Family, The Hagan Family, The Smith Family, and many others not present today. Each of you have contributed to making this day come true, and have believed in our project from the beginning", Omar Garcia, the Managing Director of Itz'ana, said in his Welcome Speech.
Also in attendance were Dustin and Jodie Bowen of Bowen & Bowen, Martin Kredit, General Manager of Francis Ford Copolla's Family Hideaways, Kyle Gitchell, General Manager of Rum Fish y Vino, an array of business owners and Jolie Pollard, Editor in Chief of The Placencia Breeze.
"Having been around since the inception of Itz'ana," says Pollard, "I've been fortunate to meet so many of the talented individuals who've played a part in its fruition. Those who led a brilliant marketing campaign that benefitted the entire Peninsula and Belize, those with the culinary vision that truly embraced Belize's local ingredients, and even with some of these players gone, I felt their contribtions and influence during this opening evening. This resort is as big of a deal as it was made out to be on groundbreaking day and it's so gratifying to see the mission being fulfilled."
The evening featured many of the culinary delights that Chef Dean Uren has become known for through the years of our Pop Up Beach Dinners, including watermelon skewers, avocado garnaches and ceviche cups with plantain chips. Itz'ana cocktails and champagne flowed as our esteemed guests were toured through the Great House, hotel and central resort area...many for the first time!
"The ambiance was calming and made you feel right at home", resident Placencian and BMA Realtor, Christo Swanepoel explained, "the infinity pool looked as though it blended right into the ocean. The music and the lighting combined to make it a very classy experience."
We'd like to thank everyone who attended and open our doors to anyone who was unable to be there. Itz'ana is officially open!