Sandals’ executive chairman Adam Stewart and chief executive Gebhard Rainer were among a delegation that met the country’s president Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona during the two-day trip.
The group scouted areas including Punta Cana, Miches and Las Terrenas during the visit, the first by a delegation from the Jamaican all-inclusive resort company to the country, which has built its tourism industry on the all-inclusive concept.
Stewart said: “We thoroughly enjoyed our brief but fruitful time in the Dominican Republic and wish to thank our hosts, especially President Abinader.
“When leadership at the highest levels makes time to discuss the power of tourism and investment opportunities that expand its reach, we know we’ve found a like-minded partner.
“This was an excellent visit at a time when we are pursuing expansion goals aggressively. We look forward to the possibility of what’s to come,” said Stewart.
The visit was instigated by Angie Shakira Martínez Tejera, Dominican Republic ambassador to Jamaica.
“It is a dream of ours to have the very prestigious Sandals brand present here,” she said. “We are honoured by the visit and excited by the possibility of our island nation becoming the first Spanish Caribbean territory to welcome the Sandals organisation.”
Sandals is in the midst of a multi-year expansion and innovation plan, Earlier this year, it reopened Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau and will unveil its first property in Curacao on 1 June.
Three new resorts are planned for Jamaica, and in 2023, a new Beaches Resorts brand will open in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
