Top brass at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company say they are still in discussions to come to Bermuda.

Yesterday, senior vice president of international development for the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott International, Calvin Ervin, confirmed that the company remains “in discussions with Unified Resorts Ltd. and its affiliates for the development of the planned Ritz-Carlton Hotel on the Par-la-Ville car park site”.

A spokesman for the Government said Mr. Ervin made the statement in a written and signed letter.

The announcement was a quick clarification from the company.

On Monday the Ritz-Carlton’s corporate vice president for public relations, Vivian Deuschl, told The Royal Gazette the reports about discussions between the two companies was “speculation”.

The developers, United Resorts, were granted the special development order by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield last December to fast-track the project and construction is expected to start this year.

The President and CEO of United Resorts, Ted Adams, confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with Ritz-Carlton and said discussions continue quite positively with the Corporation of Hamilton.

He said, “Ritz-Carlton was named in the approved Special Development Order, Ritz-Carlton representatives gave a presentation to the Bermuda Cabinet, and there is no reason to think things are not progressing properly.”

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, who is Minister of Tourism, also rushed to assure the public that the Ritz-Carlton project was moving ahead as planned.

He said: “As with any brand, in the early stages, there is a lengthy negotiation period and all approvals need to be put in place before the final commitment is given.

“I am confident that once this process is complete, Bermuda will be celebrating the fact we will soon welcome another first class facility to our shores.”

He reiterated that new hotel projects were critical to the success of Bermuda’s tourism industry.