Abinader said that there are currently 15,000 tourist rooms under construction in the country, of which about 6,000 would be inaugurated this year.
President Luis Abinader asserted yesterday, Sunday, that the Dominican Republic is the best place in Latin America to invest, during the inauguration ceremony of the W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive, whose investment was USD 160 million.
During his speech, the president highlighted the positive impact that this type of investment has on the tourism and economic development , while also noting that this hotel started during difficult times during the Covid-19.
He said that in recent years North American hotel chains have grown in the Dominican Republic, placing the country second in Latin America for US investment, second only to Mexico.
He also indicated that there are currently 15,000 tourist rooms under construction, of which some 6,000 would be inaugurated this year, boosting the generation of quality jobs and economic stability for Dominicans.
The new hotel complex, located in the Uvero Alto area and developed through a strategic collaboration between Marriott International, Grupo Puntacana and Mac Hotels , has 340 rooms and suites, 12 restaurants that celebrate the richness of Dominican and international gastronomy , and an AWAY Spa with immersive facilities and experiences designed exclusively for adults , focused on music, wellness and cutting-edge design.
President Luis Abinader and Tourism Minister David Collado led the inauguration. (External source).
Government support in the tourism sector
During his welcoming remarks, Frank Elías Rainieri , president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana, highlighted the Dominican government's support for the development of national tourism, noting that "President Luis Abinader and his government have provided constant support to tourism, a sector that today is an example of leadership and resilience throughout the region."
For his part, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, celebrated the arrival of an iconic brand like W Hotels to the Dominican portfolio and highlighted that it is integrated into the all-inclusive system.
He said that Dominican tourism is at its best moment in history, despite the decrease in arrivals from the United States, which has been compensated for by South Americans and the recovery of the European market.
The country is strategic for the Marriott brand
Brian King , President of Marriott International for the Caribbean and Latin America, highlighted the strategic importance of the Dominican market for Marriott International.
The executive reaffirmed the company's vision to continue strengthening the destination with flagship projects and the addition of the most recognized brands from the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.
For her part, Begoña Amengual, CEO of Mac Hotels, thanked the president for supporting the development of the sector with incentives for new developments to contribute to the growth of tourism's contribution to GDP, with its consequent creation of jobs.
The event was attended by the governor of La Altagracia province, Daisy D'Oleo, and the director of the Tourist Police, Minoru Matsunaga, among other authorities.
