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March 12, 2015 By: Joe Pike
With the 2015 DATE (Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange) less than two months away, Travel Agent thought this would be a great time to highlight some of the big tourism news to come out of the destination so far this year.
And we have a feeling there will be more to come.
For now, here's some fresh selling points to help you book more Dominican Republic travel.
Sanctuary Cap Cana by AlSol to Convert to Adults-Only Resort in December
Sanctuary Cap Cana by AlSol in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, will be introducing its new adults-only concept to the AlSol Hotels and Resorts portfolio this December.
The growing brand’s recently renovated and reopened flagship property will welcome travelers 18 years old and older to its oceanfront location in Cap Cana, beginning December 15.
“In addition to our two properties, AlSol Luxury Village and AlSol del Mar, offering travelers the convenience of family travel, we want to provide a romantic paradise for Caribbean travelers seeking a sanctuary escape from their everyday lifestyles to celebrate their love for one another,” said Benny Guevara, director and owner of AlSol Hotels and Resorts, in a written release.
The fall 2014 renovation added interior upgrades throughout the property, its five restaurants and four bars, while preserving the property’s heritage.
Visit www.alsolresorts.com.
Carnival Corp. to Open New Dominican Republic Port in October
Carnival Corporation recently announced it is expanding its presence in the Dominican Republic with a new, $85 million Amber Cove port, set to open this October.
Six of Carnival Corp.'s nine brands will call at the new facility, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and P&O Cruises. With the opening of the new port, passengers will be able to make stops along the Dominican Republic's north Amber Coast, which has not been regularly visited on cruise itineraries since the 1980s, Carnival said in a release. The Amber Coast was a partilal filming location for the original Jurassic Park movie. Additionally, the new port will pair with the company's Grand Turk Cruise Center 100 miles to the north to anchor new central Caribbean itineraries for Carnival's nine global brands. Further in the future, the port is positioned to be incorporated into potential Cuba itineraries, the line said.
The new $85 million facility will have a two-berth port able to accommodate the largest cruise vessels in operation today, Carnival Corp. said. It is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first year of operation.
The port will open with a visit from Carnival Victory on October 6. Following this inaugural visit, five additional Carnival Corp. brands are scheduled to make calls on Amber Cove — including Cunard's Queen Mary 2 on November 22, P&O Cruises' Azura on December 5, AIDA Cruises' AIDAvita on December 11, Costa Cruises' Costa Deliziosa on December 31 and Holland America Line's ms Eurodam on January 19.
Additional ships from the company's brands are scheduled to call on the port in late 2015 and through 2016, including Carnival Cruise Line's Fantasy, Splendor, Valor, Sunshine, Conquest and Breeze and Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam. These visits will consist of 57 calls by 13 different ships across the six brands taking place between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 155,000 guests during this period.
Visit www.carnivalcorp.com
AMResorts to Open Dreams Dominicus La Romana This Summer
Apple Leisure Group’s subsidiary, AMResorts, recently announced the signing of the company’s sixth deal for 2014. Set to open in time for the summer travel season, the newly built Dreams Dominicus La Romana will be the 15th property for the Dreams Resorts & Spas brand.
“Adding a new resort in the Dominican Republic is a testament to Apple Leisure Group’s strong performance record in the destination,” said Alejandro Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group, in a written release. “Our longtime presence in the region, demand and owner confidence continue to fuel our growth and support our position as one of the leaders in the competitive all-inclusive industry.”
AMResorts will have eight properties in the Dominican Republic under five of its brands upon the resort’s opening. Santo Domingo-based Mirage Group are the promoters of the resort.
“The addition of a new resort in La Romana is a direct response to demand from travelers for premium, all-inclusive options in the Dominican Republic,” said Javier Coll, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Apple Leisure Group. “The destination continues to be a priority for Apple Leisure Group, as we expand our presence in existing markets while seeking new areas for growth.”
The family-friendly Dreams Dominicus La Romana will have 478 rooms and suites and will be located in Bayahibe, only ten minutes away from La Romana. In addition to enjoying ocean views and beach access at the resort, clients will be able to visit the famed island of Saona, a government protected natural reserve, located just 30 minutes away.
Visit www.appleleisuregroup.com.
Visit www.godominicanrepublic.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for your latest Caribbean news. Follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.
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