Chukka gets approval for small hotel

Chukka Caribbean Adventures Limited has received planning approval to develop a boutique hotel at Sandy Bay, Hanover, according to filings by the planning authority.

The move would diversify Chukka’s tour offerings to include lodgings, at least at its Hanover facility. The planning approval was disclosed by National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, in its disclosure of decisions taken in November filings: “Environmental permit for the construction and operation of a hotel or resort complex of 26 to 50 rooms at Chukka Outpost, Sandy Bay, Hanover by Chukka Caribbean Adventures Limited,” NEPA announced.

Another section on NEPA’s site indicates that the room count would range from “51 to 500 rooms”. Chukka director Marc Melville did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the room count and other details of the project.

It’s unclear whether the development of the hotel is imminent as developers typically have years in which to proceed with a project without nullification of planning approval.

In Hanover, Chukka Adventures operates an adventure park called Chukka Ocean Outpost, which spans 160 acres of seaside property at Sandy Bay. It offers an over-the-sea zipline and horseback riding in and outside the water, ATV off-roading, bamboo rafting and catamaran snorkelling. The park features an ocean-side restaurant, an infinity pool, and over-water gazebo.

The planned resort would likely build on Chukka’s strategy of blending nature, adventure, and history. The adventure company operates in five territories – Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Barbados, and Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands. It operates 85 tours, according to reports.

The company started in the 1980s when founder and patriarch Danny Melville expanded his weekend polo matches to allow tourists to ride horses.

The Melville family’s holding company, Diverze, holds a 40 per cent stake in Chukka Caribbean, while Pan Jamaica Group owns 18 per cent. Minority stakes are also held by Portland Private Equity and Sygnus Deneb.

steven.jackson@gleanerjm.com