Sandals Makes Exploratory Visit to the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic, hot off its impressive tourism numbers since reopening the country last fall, is trying to lure Sandals Resorts International (SRI) to the Caribbean nation.

According to a statement by SRI, Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, CEO Gebhard Rainer and members of the Sandals Resorts International Executive Committee recently toured the Dominican Republic at the invitation of Angie Shakira Martinez Tejera, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Jamaica.

The SRI contingent also met with Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona, the President of the Dominican Republic.

"We thoroughly enjoyed our brief but fruitful time in the Dominican Republic and wish to thank our hosts, especially President Abinader," Stewart said in a statement. "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."

The exploratory visit was to showcase the different destinations and to discover tourism investment opportunities.

During the two-day visit, the SRI team visited various areas of the island including Punta Cana, Miches and Las Terrenas, among others. Although Stewart and other SRI executives had been to the Dominican Republic previously, this marked the first official visit by the Jamaica-based luxury all-inclusive resort company to the destination.

"Like Jamaica, where Sandals hails from, the Dominican Republic is a revered Caribbean tourism destination and the [tourism] industry is critically important to our economy," Ambassador Martinez said. "It is a dream of ours to have the very prestigious Sandals brand present here. We are honored by the visit and excited by the possibility of our island nation becoming the first Spanish Caribbean territory to welcome the Sandals organization."

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