With 2,500 rooms in its Melia Caribe Tropical, Paradisus Palma Real and Paradisus Punta Cana hotels, Spanish hotel chain Melia describes the Dominican Republic as its major destination outside Spain, Rafael Torres, general director of Paradisus Palma Real announced at the recent Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE 2014). The company is hoping to attract more travelers from the meetings, incentives, conventions and events market segments with its new Paradisus Convention Center facilities. The hotel now has 63,000 square feet (6,300 square meters) of space with 31 rooms, for a leading position in the group market and luxury incentive luxury segment. The company is focusing on its improved culinary offering, and even went as so far to reaching an alliance with Martin Berasategui, the Spanish chef who has received the most Michelin stars.
General manager of the Paradisus Palma Real said: “Melia believes in the Dominican Republic, we feel at home. It is the international country, where we are best, where we are making most investments.” He added that the stability of the Punta Cana destination makes them believe in Punta Cana.
The company recently inaugurated its new convention facilities with new state-of-the-art integrated technologies, including nine-meter high ceilings in its largest 2,000 square meter hall. The hotel has an agreement with the US firm, American Audio Visual for technical support for major events.
Torres said the company is working to push for more MICE segment travelers because there is no season for MICE, as these people travel all year long.