For the last few years, Cap Cana has been billed as the Caribbean’s “Next Great Destination.” With each week, it is becoming clear that perhaps it is time to drop the word “Next.”

Cap Cana, which in less than two years has opened a world-ranked golf course, has set global property sales records, and this week is hosting a new addition to the Champions Tour, announced today that it has been selected by Jack Nicklaus as one of up to 25 destinations worldwide to share the unique distinction of being a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.

The announcement during the opening round of the Cap Cana Championship was made by Jack Nicklaus and Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, President of Cap Cana’s board and Vice President of the Abrisa Group, one of the chief economic groups in the Dominican Republic.

Cap Cana becomes the 10th property to join the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, which was created as an exclusive access and reciprocity program for a limited number of elite Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses located in ideal markets around the world.

Never before has a club been branded with the Jack Nicklaus name, and as part of this unique license, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Cap Cana will be able to offer up to 35 Associate Club Members reciprocity at other Jack Nicklaus Golf Clubs, as well as access to a Nicklaus Home established on each property for use by Jack Nicklaus, his family and other JNGC Members worldwide.

In addition to the reciprocity privileges and the use of the Nicklaus Home at each club, there are no membership fees or annual dues, no green fees and benefits include access to club amenities and tee times at all Jack Nicklaus Golf Club locations.

The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Cap Cana will be tied to Las Iguanas, the second of three Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that will eventually play across the property’s 30,000 acres situated along more than five miles of coastline on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.

But with the availability of the Punta Espada course, one of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Courses Outside the United States and site of this week’s Cap Cana Championship, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club members will have immediate playing privileges. JNGC members will have complimentary access to a luxury villa at Cap Cana that will be completed in two months, and then a Nicklaus Home once Las Iguanas is completed.

In addition, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Cap Cana members will have access to Jack’s Florida and Ohio home courses, The Bear’s Club in Jupiter, Fla., and Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.

“We are delighted to have Cap Cana join the family of Jack Nicklaus Golf Clubs,” said Jack Nicklaus, who visited Cap Cana for the opening round of the Cap Cana Championship and for a site visit to work on his course design for Las Iquanas.

“The addition of Cap Cana gives us an existing facility with a tremendous worldwide reputation as we expand the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club. To have immediate access to courses like Punta Espada, The Bear’s Club, Muirfield Village, and Kinloch in New Zealand, gives us a wonderful start and foundation for our initial Club members. Cap Cana is a terrific destination, and I think our other Jack Nicklaus Golf Club members will find that out soon.”

Locations for future Jack Nicklaus Golf Clubs will encompass some of the world’s most sought-after markets and destinations. Current JNGC sites include Tuscany; Scotland; New Zealand; Royal Island (Bahamas); St. Lucia and Anguilla in the Eastern Caribbean; the Patagonia region of Argentina; Vancouver Island in Canada; and Mount Holly, a private ski destination in Utah.

Cap Cana (www.capcana.com) is considered one of the most important tourism and real-estate projects in the Caribbean, with a master plan investment projected at $1.5 billion. The phase of the project will be developed over the next 12 to 15 years, and will comprise 8,680 of the 30,000 available acres and 3.5 miles of beachfront. The initial phase will have three 5-star hotels and five golf courses, three of them being Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses.

Anchoring one end of the property is arguably the Caribbean’s largest, most complete and state-of-the-art marinas, and it is surrounded by shopping, residential, as well as fine and casual dining. Cap Cana’s initial phase will include a total of 5,000 residential units and 500 hotel rooms.

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Cap Cana reported today that information published earlier
this week relating to the Gomez Pion lawsuit against Cap Cana was incorrect
and that no arrest warrant had been issued by a Dominican land court
against Cap Cana’s President and CEO, Ricardo Hazoury for allegedly failing
to appear at a court hearing.

Mr. Gomez Pion has filed various claims against Cap Cana and its
executive that in essence seeks payment of the equivalent of approximately
US$8,000,000 for certain “improvements” that once existed on one of the
parcels that currently comprise part of the Cap Cana property. These
“improvements” consisted principally of items such as barbed wire fences,
fence posts, plants, and grass for cattle grazing. On at least 12 separate
occasions, Dominican courts have issued decisions on the Gomez Pion matter
in favor of Cap Cana that effectively dismissed the suits brought by Gomez
Pion.

In the latest allegations in respect of this situation, incorrect
information was provided to the press suggesting that Ricardo Hazoury had
not appeared in court for a previously scheduled hearing. The circumstances
of this proceeding, as provided under Dominican Land Law, did not require
Mr. Hazoury’s presence. Notwithstanding this fact, Mr. Hazoury did appear
before the court later that same day in an attempt to resolve any lingering
confusion in the matter and during the hearing the court dismissed the
claims by Mr. Gomez Pion regarding Mr. Hazoury’s failure to appear. It is
currently expected that the substantive claims in this matter that have
been brought once more before a Dominican court by Mr. Gomez Pion will be
concluded by next week and that the court will issue a decision regarding
these claims yet again. Cap Cana currently expects that the court will once
more decide in its favor in connection with the claims brought in this
case.

Cap Cana also reported that no actions had been taken by any court in
the Dominican Republic or elsewhere that has the effect of restricting Mr.
Hazoury’s ability to travel as had been previously reported.

About Cap Cana

Located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Cap Cana is
being developed as a multi-use luxury resort in the Caribbean with
world-class beaches, championship golf courses, yachting facilities and
other leisure amenities. The property consists of over 46 square miles
(119.9 square kilometers) of land, including a five-mile (eight kilometer)
coastline and 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) of one of the most pristine
beaches in the region.

Popularity: 41% [?]

In a special visit to Cap Cana, Punta Cana’s premier luxury resort and real estate community, Donald J. Trump held a press conference to highlight the many recent developments in his Trump at Cap Cana project, announcing a new condo hotel, beach club and world-class golf courses on site.

Accompanied by Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, President of Cap Cana’s Board of Directors, and Fernando Hazoury, Vice President of the Cap Cana Board, Trump expressed his passionate belief that “Cap Cana is one of the most wonderful places in the world, known world wide for its highest level of luxury and exclusivity - with beautiful natural surroundings as well as a solid plan for its development.”

Dr. Hazoury expressed his pride in the Dominican Republic and its recognition as a prime destination for luxury real estate tourism development, attracting great brands and foreign investment that make significant contributions to the national economy. “This is the future of our country.”

Trump has invested an important sum into this project which will increase over the maturity of its development. He emphasized the country’s stability and safe climate, as well as Cap Cana’s solid reputation as his main reasons for making this ongoing investment.

“The present real estate crisis in the United States has not affected Cap Cana, as its property owners do not come from one single country, but rather from all over the world. My perception is that within the next 12 months, the situation in the United States will resolve and will stabilize.”

Trump also announced that Hanse Golf Course Design Inc., one of the leading international golf course design companies, will be designing the first of Trump at Cap Cana’s new golf courses, Farallón and Dolinas, perched well above sea level on the project’s stunning bluff.

The team at Hanse Design firmly believes that the world’s best golf courses begin with the quality and foundation of the land. The supervision of this construction process is constant and committed through all its personnel in each international project, as is the case for Trump at Cap Cana.

The bluff’s courses will have strategically placed challenging sand traps, greens, and will be close one another without interfering in the development and design of the other course. Farallón, which consists of 7,215 yards of championship golf, is set amongst natural flora and a landscape dominated by the sand and sea, with three fabulous holes bordering the cliff face. Dolinas, boasting 7,290 yards of championship golf, will have a clean and clear native landscape, bordered by the abundance of trees, flowers, and spectacular dolinas.

About Cap Cana

Cap Cana is the most important tourism and real-estate project of the Caribbean. With a master plan investment projected at $1.5 billion, the first stage of the project will be developed in a span of 12-15 years and comprises an area of 35 million square meters (8,680 acres) of a total of over 120 million square meters (30,000 acres); 5.5 kilometers (3.5 miles) of virgin beaches and privy to a privileged climate. In its initial phase, the project will have more than four 5-star hotels, five golf courses, three of them being Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses, one of the most complete and modern marinas in the Caribbean and a total of 5,000 residential units and 500 hotel rooms.

http://dr1.com/realestate/developments/capcana/

Popularity: 64% [?]

Cap Cana Joins Forces With Ritz-Carlton To Develop Exclusive Resort And Residential Project In Dominican Republic.

Source: PR Newswire

Luxury resort community Cap Cana, S.A. is proud to announce a two-fold partnership with global powerhouse The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., to develop a world class luxury resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana, and a residential venture known as the Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana. The 220-room resort will compliment Cap Cana’s existing developments and will feature a range of luxury amenities, including a lavish 16,000 square-foot spa, a private beach club, and five restaurants and lounges. The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana and the 194-privately owned beachfront and golf Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana are scheduled to open in early 2010 and are part of a two-phase $1 billion endeavor (real estate sales and construction).

Spanning 30,000 acres of prime Caribbean waterfront, Cap Cana is ideally situated on 3.4 miles of virgin beaches, the Ritz-Carlton mixed-use property taking center stage on a stunning two-mile stretch of Juanillo beach. To capture the true beauty of the Dominican Republic’s most scenic beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana plans to enhance all rooms with spacious balconies and ocean views, incorporating island materials and an abundance of natural light whenever possible. As an added bonus, the resort will include 8,000 square feet of meeting space (including a 5,800 square-foot ballroom), offering individuals and groups a range of choices for every occasion, from corporate meetings to destination weddings and social events.

“We are proud to welcome Ritz-Carlton, the most recognized luxury brand in the world, to the Cap Cana’s family, as both brands share the same impeccable service philosophy and core family values,” said Dr. Ricardo Hazoury, president of Cap Cana’s Board of Directors. “The Ritz-Carlton, Cap Cana represents a new paradise for the Dominican tourism industry. Together, we will develop a product that integrates the tropical style and design of Cap Cana into the beautiful natural surroundings, with the key focus on the spectacular Juanillo beach and the magnificent views of the Caribbean Sea,” he added.

J. W. Marriott Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, expressed “Cap Cana has envisioned a bold luxury tourism and real estate development project that promises to be one of the most exciting new destinations in the Caribbean. We are excited that our Ritz-Carlton brand will be represented at Cap Cana and are hopeful that one or more of our other hotel brands will also fit in with Cap Cana’s plans for this world class destination.”

Similarly, Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, states that “We are extremely pleased to partner with ownership, Cap Cana, S.A., to develop a lifestyle resort and residential community in this unique tourism and real estate project, located on the eastern-most part of the Dominican Republic. With some of the finest beaches in the Caribbean, an abundance of golf courses and other recreational facilities, this project will also offer our guests and owners a collection of designer shops, gourmet restaurants, and a significant area devoted to ecological preservation. It will attract affluent and sophisticated travelers from around the world, looking for leisure or group travel destinations that are truly exceptional.”

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to adorn the paradise-like beach of Juanillo with a world class architectural project focused on excellence, that harmoniously combines sophisticated spaces and an authentic tropical ambiance,” said Alejandro Acebal, member of Cap Cana’s architectural committee.

About Cap Cana, http://www.capcana.com/

Located on the Eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, and just five minutes away from the Punta Cana International Airport, Cap Cana is called “The World’s Next Great Destination.” It is the most important tourism and real estate property in the Caribbean, with a master plan which will be developed in a span of 12-15 years and comprises an area of 35 million square meters (8,680 acres) of a total of over 120 million square meters (30,000 acres) with over three miles of white powder sand beaches. Cap Cana is a project recognized for its ambitious dimensions as a fully integrated luxury community.

At the completion of the master plan, Cap Cana will feature more that 5,000 residential units and at least four luxury hotels. Also are included six golf courses, three of them Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses (the first, Punta Espada, opened in November 2006 and the second, Las Iguanas, under construction), and two of them Trump International Golf Courses; and the most state-of-the-art marina in the Caribbean, featuring over 1,000 slips for mega yachts up to 200 feet. The first phase of the marina was inaugurated in April 2007. Additional services and amenities include elegant boutiques, fine dining restaurants, world class spas, exclusive membership clubs, water sports, polo, and horseback riding facilities, to name a few.

Cap Cana is part of The Abrisa Group, one of the main economic and diverse holding companies in the Dominican Republic. For the development of the project, Cap Cana has brought together an elite and experienced team of professionals which include Nicklaus Design, Coastal Systems International, Inc., The Trump Organization, Weitz Golf International, GVA, Troon Golf, The Frontier Construction, EDSA, WATG, and Stewart Title among others.

About Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company L.L.C., http://www.ritzcarlton.com/

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, MD operates 66 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, The Middle East, and Africa. Over 30 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Sanya, Dublin, Beijing, Dallas and Denver. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, which recognized outstanding customer service. For more information, contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, visit the company web site at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/, or consult a travel professional.

CONTACT: Saraida De Marchena Kaluche of Cap Cana, +1-809-472-2525, Ext. 2238, s.demarchena@capcana.com; or Keri Toler of The Brandman Agency, +1-212-683-2442, keri@brandmanpr.com

Web site: http://www.capcana.com/ http://www.ritzcarlton.com/

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