President Abinader highlights investment impact of more than USD 400 M. for the construction of Katmandu Park and other tourism projects

Punta Cana .- President Luis Abinader highlighted this Thursday that the investment of more than 400 million dollars from Meliá Hotels International and Falcon’s Beyond Global, for the construction, development and remodeling of various tourism projects, will impact the economy of the entire country and they will generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

It will invest 170 million dollars in the construction of Kathmandu Park, 180 million dollars in two hotels for adults and children, as well as 50 million dollars for the renovation of its existing hotels.

When participating in the announcement of the new investments, the president affirmed that the Dominican Republic’s tourism model is a world reference and will continue to be so for offers and investment bets like this one.

The president, accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, assured that the world is in permanent change, but the Dominican Republic is ready to lead it.

He cited as a sign of the strength of investment in the tourism sector that, in the case of Katmandu Park alone, it will generate some 600 direct jobs with a projection of doubling this figure in indirect jobs. These efforts are in line with the Government’s objectives, which are jobs and investment opportunities for everyone, he stressed.

The head of state was received by Falcon’s Beyond Global CEO, Cecil D. Magpuri; the Executive Vice President of Meliá, Gabriel Escarrer; the COO of Meliá Hotels International, André P. Gerondeau, and the Executive President of Falcon’s Beyond Global, Scott Demereau.

Katmandu Park, a state-of-the-art theme park, will open its doors in the fall of 2022 and, along with other projects, will consolidate Punta Cana’s leadership as a destination in entertainment, gastronomy, and shopping tourism.

Abinader recalled that since he came to the government he has been supporting multiple investments, in different sectors and regions, relentlessly, always seeking that goal. “Today, in Punta Cana, we return to support investment in leisure and services. A sector in expansion and that brings with it stable quality work and economic generation in multiple sectors directly and indirectly ”, he highlighted.

And he added: “This is an already palpable reality: everyone wants to invest in the Dominican Republic and their government is here to guarantee that they are not wrong with that choice.” Punta Cana has always been a focus for attracting talent and companies and even today it continues to be that driving force and is more alive than ever.

“Commitment, sustainable, productive investment, and employment. That is what is here today. They are a source of pride for all of us. His exemplary work and dedication in all these years are worthy of recognition and support, ”he said.

The Head of State indicated that, together, the public and private sectors will achieve the great changes and adjustments that the country needs and will achieve what they have always pursued; be the best destination in the world.

He added that in this leadership they also seek to be innovative, so he is happy to see projects like this one that provide great added value and that are in line with the government’s ambition and plans in their international promotion.

On his side, the CEO of Falcon’s Beyond Global assured that the size and potential of the entertainment brands that will be announcing at the beginning of next year as members of Phase 2 of the project are truly impressive.

Meanwhile, the executive vice president of Meliá described as important the joint project between Meliá Hotels International and Falcon’s Beyond in Punta Cana, an exceptional destination in which they have been working for more than 30 years and that they carry in their hearts.

Escarrer specified that this alliance will materialize in the first great Theme Park and Entertainment Destination in the Caribbean.

Likewise, the COO of Meliá Hotels International recalled that Punta Cana is the place where the Paradisus brand was born, with the opening of the Paradisus Punta Cana in 1995.

“With the project that we launch today, a new resort will emerge in its place, bringing, from loyalty to its principles, a new degree of luxury to a brand much loved by some of the most demanding travelers in the world, and that provides exceptional experiences based on an all-inclusive luxury service, extraordinary locations and a philosophy of sustainable and responsible management ”, said Gerondeau.

The architect Álvaro Sanz explained that the new Paradisus Punta Cana, with its avant-garde concept, will apply criteria of sustainable and intelligent architecture, in addition to using native landscaping to minimize the negative impact that its construction could have on the spectacular and sensitive natural environment.

In that order, the executive president of Falcon’s Beyond Global pointed out that, together with Meliá and the Dominican Republic, they are truly creating a destination unparalleled in other parts of the world, a new dimension for Punta Cana.

“This entertainment destination has been designed to complement the experiences offered by the resorts and wonderful beaches in this area, offering a new reason for tourists to visit the Dominican Republic and enjoy all that the country has to offer,” he revealed. Demereau.

Great leader

The executive vice president of the Meliá group, Gabriel Escarrer, congratulated President Abinader for the great handling he has had in times of a pandemic. At the same time, he also called him a great leader for the institutional support he provides to investors.

A special day

The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, described the day as special due to the investment of more than 350 million to be made in the next two years by the chain in the Dominican Republic.

Phases of the project

The Falcon’s Beyond master plan for this new Entertainment Destination is developed in two phases: Phase 1 includes the development of the Katmandu Park Punta Cana park, which will carry the characters and the magical history of Kathmandu, so loved by millions of children in Europe. , to a whole new audience in the Caribbean.

The ‘Kathmandu experience’, which will include everything from legendary attractions to the latest in entertainment, such as the world’s first ‘Suspended’ theater, will also offer exciting adventures as guests and visitors immerse themselves in the universe of Kathmandu. . All this will completely transform the entertainment offer of the Dominican Republic.

Phase 2 will allow an expansion of the project, adding an offer of entertainment, restaurants and first-rate shopping, through the incorporation of large brands of international prestige in these sectors, led by Falcon’s Beyond.

Deepening the commitment that Meliá Hotels International has maintained with Punta Cana for more than three decades, the leading hotel company in Spain has incorporated into the master plan an important renovation of two of the Paradisus hotels that the company has in this destination. Plans include the total reconstruction of the first of its resorts of this brand in the area, the Paradisus Punta Cana, and a major renovation of the Paradisus Palma Real.

The Company expects to substantially complete the renovation of the existing hotels by the end of 2023.

Present at the activity were the senator for the Altagracia province, Virgilio Cedano; Manuel Grullón, president of Banco de Banco Popular, and Frank Rainieri, of the Punta Cana Group.

Also Rafael Duluc, mayor of Higüey; Minoru Matsunaga, director of the Specialized Body for Tourist Security (Cestur); Kind Aristy Castro, former senator for the Altagracia province; Andrés Marranzini, vice president of ASONAHORES; Martina Pepén, governor of La Altagracia province.

Likewise, Mark Hoddinot, director of Real Estate at Meliá Hotels International, and Santiago Innerarity, director of Operations for Meliá Hotels in the Dominican Republic.