Hotel construction boom close to land grab area

The $52 million construction of the Rio Hato International Airport is fueling investment  in hotels in the area of Punta Chame and Rio Hato,  close to  the  controversial Juan Hombrón coastal strip.

Around $300 million  has been poured into hotel infrastructure, with already more than10 hotels and beaches offering visitors different sports  and facilities.

 RG Real Estate, which owns the Royalton Hotel Playa Blanca, formerly Nikki Beach, plans to build two new hotels that are to begin operations in 2013.

A group of 12 corporations anxious to cash in on the boom were involved in the Juan Hombrón land grab scandal when they attempted to acquire free title to 54 hectares of coastal land, by parceling small units . The program was intended to help poor farmers and fishermen gain title to the land they lived and worked on.

The paperwork was handled by lawyer Anabelle Villamonte, who later was appointed to Anati, the authority responsible for approving titling. Within weeks of her appointment, deals were approved.

 After exposure of the scandal, the land has reverted to the state and investigations are underway to determine irregularities or criminal action.