The new model of tourism in the Dominican Republic

Villa Montellano, Puerto Plata. – The Puntacana Group and the Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International, partners in the development of the Meliá Bergantín Beach hotel, reaffirmed their commitment to this initiative, which marks the beginning of a new era aimed at positioning Puerto Plata as a world-class tourist destination, restoring the North Coast's prominence within Caribbean tourism.

This commitment was highlighted by Frank Elías Rainieri, CEO of the Puntacana Group, and Gabriel Escarrer, Executive Chairman of Meliá Hotels International, the largest and largest hotel company in Spain and the second largest in Europe. Both spoke at the hotel's groundbreaking ceremony.,

“"We are proud to be part of this new phase that seeks to position Puerto Plata as a world-class tourist destination," said Escarrer during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Meliá Bergantín Beach Hotel, an event attended by President Luis Abinader.

The executive explained that the Puntacana Group and Meliá Hotels International will develop a five-star hotel with 400 rooms, which will be part of the Punta Bergantín master plan. The complex will feature a varied culinary offering, a beach club, pools, a spa, children's areas, and areas dedicated to MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events).

“At Meliá, we believe in quality tourism, like what this project represents: a tourism that creates value for everyone,” Escarrer emphasized. He added that the company acts “as a company that is close to and committed to local communities and their progress, as we have demonstrated for decades in the Dominican Republic.”.

“"As a hotel group with deep roots in this country, we are proud to contribute to the development of Puerto Plata, combining sustainability, innovation, and respect for the environment and its people," he added.

For his part, Rainieri noted that "each new hotel brand reinforces Puerto Plata's international credibility and sends a clear message: the North Coast is once again a protagonist of Caribbean tourism.".

The businessman emphasized that "for those of us who have dedicated our lives to the country's tourism development, returning to this land is an act of gratitude and hope. Puerto Plata reminds us of our roots, but it also inspires us to look to the future.".

He emphasized that Punta Bergantín "will not be a complex of oceanfront hotels, but rather a meeting place for nature, culture, and innovation; the model of new Dominican tourism: a tourism that combines luxury with authenticity, investment with impact, and growth with sustainability.".

“With Punta Bergantín, we are writing a new chapter in the history of Dominican tourism,” he said. “This project is born from a shared vision between the public and private sectors, which understands that tourism must not only grow, but evolve: becoming more sustainable, more diverse, and more humane.”.

Rainieri explained that “Punta Bergantín represents precisely that: the point where tourism development, environmental sustainability, and human opportunity meet. The hotel component is the heart of the project. Each hotel will not only provide rooms, but also employment, confidence, infrastructure, and hope.”.

He also announced that "the first openings will be the beginning of a wave of complementary private investment—residential, commercial, cultural, and sports—that will comprehensively transform the region's development. But this growth comes with a fundamental commitment: sustainability.".

Escarrer and Rainieri expressed their gratitude for the support of Banco Popular Dominicano and Banco de Reservas, the entities that finance the hotel project that unites the Meliá Hotels International chain and the Puntacana Group.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Meliá Bergantín Beach Hotel was attended by President Luis Abinader; Minister of Tourism David Collado; President of the Banco de Reservas Leonardo Aguilera; and President of the Banco Popular Dominicano Christopher Paniagua. Andrés Marranzini Grullón, executive director of the Punta Bergantín project, was also present.

About the Punta Bergantín Trust

Punta Bergantín is a trust headed by Banco de Reservas, whose objective is to promote a new tourism dynamic in the province of Puerto Plata, transforming this northern coast enclave into an internationally renowned destination through comprehensive and sustainable development.

The initiative covers more than 10 million square meters in a setting of great natural beauty, which will be preserved through a low-density urban development model. The project includes the construction of hotels, recreational areas, and horizontal and vertical residential areas, with the goal of offering a first-class tourist and real estate destination.