Uruguay's Ministry of Tourism issues request for proposals for Casino Carmelo Hotel development

The Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay launched on Monday the call for the sale of two properties conditioned to the construction and operation of a luxury hotel with casino concession in Carmelo. The permit for the private operation of games of chance will be granted for 20 years.

In the presentation, the Ministry informed that the conditions for application will be available on the State Purchases website from Tuesday, February 27 to May 30.

Present at the launching of the tender were Minister Tabaré Viera; the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio; the Directors Ignacio Curbelo and Roque Baudean; the Mayor of Colonia, Carlos Moreira; among other authorities.

According to the details shared at the meeting, the sale of the real estate will be for the construction and completion of a luxury hotel with the necessary facilities for the operation of a casino, where the Hotel Casino Carmelo is currently located.

Presentación del llamado para la venta de dos inmuebles condicionada a la construcción y puesta en funcionamiento de un hotel de lujo con concesión de Casino en Carmelo. Participa el Min @Tabareviera junto al Subscrio @MonzeglioRemo los Dir @CurbeloDr @roquebaudean pic.twitter.com/KIFEB9Pbh4

— Uruguay Natural (@Uruguay_Natural) February 26, 2024

The Ministry added that the base price for the sale of the properties in the city of Carmelo (consisting of approximately 10,459 sq. m.) will be 14,020,078 Indexed Units (UI), which has a current value of UYN 5,926, equivalent to $151.65.

Authorities also stated that the amount in UI will be converted into Uruguayan pesos at the exchange rate of the day before the execution of the public deed by which the transfer of ownership is to be made.

Interest in the bidding

Speaking to the press, the mayor of Colonia said: "I have been told that there are already stakeholders interested in starting up this casino hotel. The bidding process is being launched today, but we are confident that there are interested parties and that this will continue to contribute to the transformation of the city of Carmelo as a tourist destination."

For his part, Minister Tabaré Viera stated that "this is a high-level offer that the region needs" and emphasized that Carmelo has been developing as a tourist destination "of enormous potential in Uruguay and in the region" for some time now, thanks to its "geographical location, products, natural assets, and infrastructure".

Finally, the Vice Minister of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio, pointed out that in the selection process "the bidders that maintain the historical architecture of the old casino in Carmelo" will be valued.

Click here to access the website of State Purchases of Uruguay and review the bidding documents for the casino hotel in Carmelo.