Doing Business in the Dominican Republic

Melanie Reffes
Punta Cana
April 2013

Organized by the National Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) and hosted at the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort, the lucky 13^th edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) was a spirited affair at the Punta Cana Resort and adjoining Convention Center. 

Aerial view Barcelo Bavaro ( credit: Bavaro Resorts )

Flags from around the world ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

Convention Center ( credit: Bavaro Resorts ) 

The leading event for buying and selling the DR, the trade show is a hot ticket for tour operators, airline representatives, hoteliers and government officials from the United States, Canada, Germany and the Caribbean as well as from emerging markets including Russia, Spain and South America.

Perennially popular with tourists, it’s no surprise Punta Cana made the ‘Top 2013 Summer Hotspot ‘list issued by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). According to feedback from travel agents who book the country, Punta Cana rated high for ‘family-friendly activities, resort entertainment and opportunities for relaxation.”

Zip Lining in Punta Cana (credit: DRTM)

Do the Math

“2012 was an exceptional year for us with the arrival of six million tourists and a growth rate of 4.95 percent over last year.”   That from Radames Martinez-Aponte, vice-minister, ministry of tourism who added the arrival numbers rank ‘higher than those reported in Cuba, Jamaica and Riviera Maya.’   Although he attributed ‘frequent airlift and proximity to North America ‘to popularity of the country, he added   ,” our greatest advantage are the relationships we have with tour operators and travel agents.” With a goal to attract ten million visitors by 2023, the Tourism Ministry allocated USD$13.3 million dollars for 2013, the largest budget in the history of the Ministry. “When we fix goals, we can reach them,” said Radhames Martinez Aponte, vice minister, ministry of tourism.

Radames Martinez-Aponte, vice-minister, ministry of tourism (credit: M. Reffes ) 

Rooms with a View

A division of Toronto-based Sunwing Canada, Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts will open The Royalton Punta Cana Resort and Royalton Splash on November 9. The twin all-inclusives on Bavaro Beach will offer 1145 rooms, 600 in the Royalton and 545 in the Splash. “Guests can stay at one and play at two,” said Todd Kirlick, director, sales and marketing. “In just two years,” said Antonio Herrera, director, Blue Diamond Hotels, “we will have opened 5000 rooms in three countries: Jamaica, Cuba and now the DR with plans to also build in the Bahamas and Mexico.” Royalton White Sands will open in Montego Bay in October. www.Sunwing.ca.   

The Sheraton brand is coming back to Santo Domingo in December with the opening of a 225-room Starwood hotel. Owned by Hoteles Nacionales and undergoing a US$6 million renovation, Sheraton Santo Domingo first opened as a Sheraton more than three decades ago and was later known as the Melia Santo Domingo.  The high-rise hotel is currently open as Magna 365 ahead of its debut as the Sheraton.  A Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village is scheduled to open in October.  

Hotel Magna 365  (credit: Magna ) 

    

Designed by Milan-based Marina Nova and Dominican architect Franc Ortego, Eden Roc at Cap Cana is open with thirty four spacious suites, six restaurants with decor designed to look like the Italian Riviera, full-service spa and access to the Punta Espada Golf Course. www.EdenRocCapCana.com.  Also at Cap Cana, the sea is the main character at Punta Palmera with thirty spacious condominiums set to open in June.  A host of extras include concierge service, three golf courses, pair of pools, on-site restaurant and access to the only full-service marina between Puerto Rico and the Turks and Caicos Islands. From April to August, the big ticket is fishing for blue and white marlin with guests asked to adhere to the resorts “catch and release” program.  “We are extremely excited about the opening of Punta Palmera, “said Matthew Doer, director, “and feel confident it will be a diamond in the country’s tourism landscape.”  

Punta Palmera  (photo credit: Cap Cana ) 

Play & Relax

Marking its first foray into the Spanish Caribbean, Island Routes will launch tours in September in Punta Cana, La Romana and Samana. “These will be soft adventure tours on land and in the water, “ said David Shields, general manager, Island Routes Caribbean Adventures , “and will include our popular horseback riding in the Sea, zip lining  and tours that showcase the rich cultural history of the DR.”  Expansion to the Dominican Republic is significant for the brand as it signals major growth for the Jamaica-based innovators, "added David Shields, general manager, “the sheer size of the DR is extremely important in Caribbean tourism which makes the destination highly appealing to us as we consider our expansion plans.” Island Routes will start tours in Grenada this month and is looking at setting up shop in St. Maarten and Aruba.  www.islandroutes.com/

Left to right : Kurt Stout, business development officer, Javier Oberti, business development consultant and 

David Shields, general manager

  (credit: M. Reffes ) 

(photo credit: IRAT )

Club Med Punta Cana opened the Caribbean’s first L’occitane Spa after a million dollar face-lift that bought ten indoor treatment rooms, four oceanfront palapa massage huts, manicure and pedicure area, Zen Lounge for an added chill-out, infinity pool and a boutique that sells the chi-chi line of products. www.ClubMed.us. 

Beginning April 30, travel agents booking through MLT’s Delta Vacations and United Vacations brands can offer their clients three new adults-only resorts in Samana.  Operated by Bahia Principe, the resorts are the Grand Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado; Grand Bahia Principe Cayacoa and the Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo. “We’re excited to add Samana to our product offering which already includes fifty-nine resorts in the DR,” said Karen Kammer, director, product development Caribbean.  Although whale watching tours are big sellers in the region , other bookable excursions include deep sea fishing and diving. . “Samana is home to a Humpback whale sanctuary which is the type of travel experience that creates lifelong memories,” added Karen Kammer, director, product development Caribbean.  Samaná is the fifth destination sold by MLT Vacations following Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata and Punta Cana.  www.mltvacations.com/

Humpback whale ( credit: Ministry of Tourism) 

Cayo Levantado (credit: Ministry of Tourism) 

 Eye to the Future

Slated to open early next year on Playa Grande on the north coast, an Aman Resort and 18-hole championship golf course is currently under construction to the tune of a   USD$400 million investment.  When complete, the complex will include suites with private pools and villas built on the edge of the cliffs.  Further developments include equestrian center for those who either own horses or like to ride them. www.PlayaGrande.com. 

Set to open on December 20, Westin Puntacana is conveniently located five minutes from the international airport. The 400-room Starwood hotel will target the business and convention market although weddings and families are also on the radar. Offering ocean views from all of the rooms, other hotel treats include a cigar bar, Six Senses Spa, 24-hour business center and Westin Workout gym.  Sitting on a three miles white sandy beach, a bevy of water sports will be offered from scuba and kite boarding to catamaran cruises. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, Segway tours, horseback riding and golfing will be available. www.puntacana.com.   

Click to make a Date in the Dominican Republic

                                           www.drdate.net          

                       Doing Business at DATE 

                     ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

Selling Sustainability in the Caribbean - Melanie Reffes

Port of Spain

Hosted for the third time by the twin isles of Trinidad and Tobago and organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-14) took center-stage at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.  Bringing together the key players from government officials and hoteliers to academics and policy-makers, STC-14 focused on achieving profitability while improving the region’s tourism product.  Themed “Keeping the Right Balance: Enhancing Destination Sustainability through Products, Partnerships, Profitability”, the conference examined what is critical to the economic sustainability of the world’s most traveled to warm weather destination.

Cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony (credit: B. Cancellare/CTO) 

Hyatt Regency Trinidad ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

“Devoting resources to develop a sustainable tourism industry has a very strong potential for a high return on investment, “said Beverly Nicholson Doty, chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and commissioner tourism, USVI.  Linking a destination's commitment to sustainable tourism with its profitability, she added today's discerning traveler  is increasingly aware of how a country cares for its environment.  “Visitors are relentless in their pursuit of destinations, accommodations, activities and attractions which have implemented sustainability practices and policies especially in a region like ours that is rich in natural resources and cultural heritage.” With an eye to the future, she added “the time has come for us to put our heads together and up our sustainable tourism development game to ensure we remain in the lead.”

Beverly Nicholson Doty, chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and commissioner tourism, USVI. (credit: B. Cancellare/CTO)

Stephen Cadiz, tourism minister, Trinidad and Tobago, Beverly Nicholson Doty, chairman, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and commissioner tourism and Hugh Riley, secretary general, CTO
(credit: B. Cancellare/CTO )

 Green Makes Green

Jake Kheel, grandson of one of the developers of the Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic, said going green has kept visitor occupancy levels high while making money for the resort.  Initiatives that have earned the resort environmental accolades include opening the largest recycling operation in the country, a water treatment plant that reuses water for the area's golf courses and a worm composting system that turns food garbage into fertilizer.  Targeting the dive market, he added coral restoration programs will soon be available to resort guests. “Sustainability is very much part of our economic model,” he added.

Jake Kheel, Punta Cana Resort ( credit: B. Cancellare/CTO) 

Punta Cana Resort ( PC Resort ) 

Also applauded for his commitment to eco-sustainability, Ewald Biemans, owner of Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts said his mantra to’ reuse, reduce and recycle ‘is the economic and environmental road map responsible for the success of his twin resorts. “Necessity is the mother of invention, “he said “we had a choice to either increase our rates or reduce our costs by saving and conserving energy.” Innovative examples include recycling boxes to make door signs, installing electronic eye faucets in the bathroom, eco-thermostats in the rooms and pouring drinks in plastic cups only when guests are headed to the beach.   With a commitment to the local community, he added “we serve local Balashi and Heineken beer because those brands are the only two that use recycled glass bottles , we involve local school children in our monthly beach clean-ups and we pay all expenses if a guest wants to take a stray pet to home to North America.“

Ewald Biemans, owner Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts ( credit: B. Cancellare/CTO )

Bucuti Beach Resort , Aruba ( credit: Bucuti) 

Sustainable Sound Bites

“The time has come to convert the rhetoric into practical vehicles that can deliver the goods for generations to come.” Winston Dookeran,   Acting Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago

Winston Dookeran,   Acting Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago ( credit: B. Cancellare/CTO)

“While Trinidad and Tobago does not have the luxury of stretches of while sandy beaches, the country has a lot to offer.  We have a culture that is so mixed and varied; which is where our tourism product lies rather than the typical sea and sun tourism.” Stephen Cadiz, tourism minister, Trinidad and Tobago

Stephen Cadiz, tourism minister, Trinidad and Tobago ( credit: B. Cancellare/CTO)

“Caribbean tourism is embracing responsible tourism not as an option, but as a condition for its continuous growth.” Dr. Martha Honey, co-director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Responsible Travel

Dr. Martha Honey ( credit: Center for Responsible Travel )

 “Wherever we are from in the Caribbean, an essential component of our sustainability strategy has to be an action strategy.  We must face the issues head on and implement solutions like intra-Caribbean travel, quality of our service and the CTO’s new Total Visitor Satisfaction Program.“Hugh Riley, secretary general, CTO

Hugh Riley, secretary general, CTO ( credit: B. Cancellare/CTO) 

  The Exhibition Floor 

(credit: B. Cancellare/CTO) 

(photo credit: B. Cancellare/CTO) 

 And the Winner Is.........

The CTO Travel Mole Sustainable Tourism award winners included Guyana’s Karanambu Lodge that took home the ‘Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism’ award, Jamaica’s Tryall Club won the ‘Sustainable Accommodation’ prize and The Puerto Rico Tourism Company was presented  with the ‘Destination Stewardship’ award.

 Karanambu Lodge ( credit: KLodge) 

Tryall Club ( credit: Tryall ) 

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF STC-14

To welcome delegates , a cultural extravaganza showcased the music and heritage of the twin islands including performances by Marq Pierre, Junior Calypso Monarch, Mason Hall Tobago Folk singers , QED Three Tenors and Carnival of Colors . (photo credits: M.Reffes/B. Cancellare/CTO)

For more information , click www.caribbeanstc.com.

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Out & About in the Out Islands: Melanie Reffes

Harbour Island, The Bahamas

As the song goes, Nassau may be funky but the Out Islands are the real gems in The Bahamas. Strung like a necklace archipelago, the tiny specks of serenity are wooing the romance market and targeting your clients who may prefer a quieter wedding vibe nowhere near  busy cruise ship ports, glitzy casinos or high-rise mega-resorts. 

(credit: Mark Da Cunha)

Bright blooms  ( credit: Abaca Tourism ) 

 Appealing to true connoisseurs of Caribbean island life, the Out Islands are for magical weddings, happy honeymoons or discreet trysts under the starry skies. 

(credit: M. Reffes )  

“We highly value the destination wedding market in all our Out Islands, “said Raymond Francis, executive director, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board as he suggests dessert and coffee at the oh-so-trendy Blu Bungalow restaurant at the corner of King and Murray Streets in Harbour Island, “romance is a natural on all our islands and encouraging that market from the US is a win-win for us all.”

Blu Bungalow ( credit: Trip Adviser) 

Blu Bungalow ( credit: Firestonesisters.com) 

(credit: M. Reffes ) 

Quite the Pair

Two of the most exquisite, Harbour Island and Eleuthera are sold as one destination by agents and marketed as one by the Out Islands Promotion Board. A 45-minute flight from Fort Lauderdale and  25 minutes in the air from Nassau , Harbour Island , off the northern tip of Eleuthera, is quaint and cute with 2,000 residents, 1500 golf carts, umpteen chickens crossing the road and delectable delicacies like conch fritters and hummingbird cake .  




Dubbed “Briland” by the locals, the island is coveted for its pink sandy beaches, friendly locals and charming hotels reminiscent of New England architecture.

Pink Beach perfection Harbour Island ( credit : M. Reffes ) 

With a name like Valentine's Resort , you know this is one resort ripe for romance.  Seaside in Harbour Island, romance is big business at the 41-suite resort with stellar service, fabulous food and an enthusiastic staff who loves to organize weddings.  On the edge of Dunmore Town  with its array of little stores and delightful restaurants , the resort is pretty with thirty-eight suites in four low-rise buildings each named for one of the Out Islands.  En suite dining with specialties delivered from the Boathouse restaurant or cooking in the mini-kitchen is the big draw for couples. “ The best part of my job is working with folks looking forward to their wedding,” said Alexis Ross, front desk manager, “After talking with them and knowing what they may want, I then set them up with a golf game, big bottle of champagne, transportation to the resort from the airport or just letting them enjoy the privacy of the resort. “    

Valentine's Resort ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

Tempting couples who like to explore, the resort also has its own marina and offers a slew of activities on the water.   “We encourage couples to try their hand at deep-sea fishing, “adds Alexi Ross, “and if they’re lucky enough to land a tuna, our Chef will prepare it in the privacy of their own suite or at the Bathhouse restaurant. “  www.valentinesresort.com

Fishing for tuna at Valentine's ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

Loving Lutra

From the Greek word for freedom, Eleuthera or Lutra in the local slang   caters to those who prefer frolicking in the sea to putting down another bet at a poker table in Nassau.  Fifty miles east of Nassau and a quick water taxi from Harbour Island, the island is without a single traffic light, high-rise building or casino. 

Serenity Rules ( credit: M. Reffes ) 

 With just eight thousand full-time residents,  Eleuthera is all about lobsters, pineapples, taking a dip in the crystalline waters so shallow you can wade in more than a hundred yards without getting your shoulders wet , taking five on a sun lounger and for legions of travelers from around the world, it’s about  saying I Do on the beach .

(credit: M. Reffes ) 

(credit: M. Reffes ) 

  For the adventurous in the crowd or those looking for unbridled tropical privacy, Surfer’s Beach, about two miles from Gregory Town, is a hot wave-riding beach and one of the island’s best kept secrets.  “This is a very happy island, “smiles Jackie Gibson, senior manager, Eleuthera Tourist Office,” the reason we’re so popular for weddings is because we’re always in a good mood and that rubs off on our guests.”

Leading the pack of wedding-friendly resorts, Sky Beach Club is the only hotel facing the sea and very popular with couples from all over the world who come for a no-frills barefoot ceremony on the beach.    “ We've had wedding parties book the entire property from our four bedroom villas to our one bedroom bungalows with the trendy glass-enclosed rain shower , “  said  Stephen Kappler, general manager ,” weddings are our biggest niche market and we make sure each and  every one of them is unique and memorable . “   Picture-perfect, the beach is carpeted in pink sand, the Bistro grills the tastiest Hog Fish Snapper this side of anywhere and on-site concierges cater to every whim from stocking the villas with fine wine to arranging an island tour to the legendary Glass Window Bridge. www.skybeachclub.com

Sky Beach Club  wedding ( credit all photos : Sky Beach Club ) 

Make a Date

www.bahamas.com/

For the $300.00 airline credit to Nassau/Paradise Island and the Out Islands

Promo Code   BAH300WSAUS for travel through to March 6

Promo Code   BAH300WSBUS for travel through June 19