BTN News: The Dominican Republic is poised for a tourism renaissance, with the launch of the new Hyatt Zilara Hotel marking the first step in the ambitious Punta Bergantín project. This significant initiative, spearheaded by the Dominican government and supported by major global hospitality brands, aims to revive Puerto Plata as a premier destination, transforming it into a beacon of luxury and opportunity. The president of the Republic, Luis Abinader, highlighted this project’s potential to breathe new life into the region, positioning it as a pivotal moment for Puerto Plata’s future growth and economic revitalization.
Since 2002, Puerto Plata has seen a decline in tourism, but with the strategic involvement of American hospitality giants like Hyatt, the region is set to attract an influx of U.S. tourists. President Abinader expressed his confidence in the project’s success, noting that Punta Bergantín is not just about constructing luxury hotels but about creating a long-lasting impact on the region’s economy and infrastructure. The government is fully committed to supporting this project through public works, promotion, and other necessary measures to ensure its success.
The Punta Bergantín project, covering 10 million square meters of pristine coastal land, represents a comprehensive effort to relaunch Puerto Plata’s economy. The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs, directly contributing to the local economy while also fostering skills development in partnership with Infotep. This collaboration will ensure that the local workforce is adequately trained to meet the demands of the burgeoning tourism industry.
The inauguration event, which saw the symbolic first shovel of earth turned by President Abinader, was attended by a host of high-ranking officials, including the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Ricardo De los Santos and Alfredo Pacheco, respectively. Also present were the governor of the Central Bank, Héctor Valdez Albizu, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and other key figures in the Dominican government and financial sector. Their presence underscored the importance of this project to the nation’s broader economic goals.
Antonio Fungairino, Hyatt’s Director of Development for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized the corporation’s strong commitment to the growth of Puerto Plata as a tourism hub. The northern coast of the Dominican Republic, often referred to as the “Golden Coast,” offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, making it an ideal location for such a transformative project. The community of Villa de Monte Llano, where the project is located, stands to benefit immensely from the influx of tourism, jobs, and infrastructure development.
Andrés Marranzini, the executive director of the Punta Bergantín project, highlighted the transformative potential of this development for the entire region. The project is not just about building hotels but about creating a sustainable, high-quality destination that will attract both tourists and investors. Backed by the Dominican government and major international investors, including the Martinón Group, Meliá Hotels International, Grupo Puntacana, Hilton, and Marriott, Punta Bergantín is set to become a cornerstone of the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry.
Punta Bergantín’s master plan is designed with sustainability at its core, ensuring that the natural beauty of the area is preserved while creating a vibrant, low-density urban environment. The development will include a mix of hotels, recreational areas, residential properties, and a Marine Village, offering a diverse array of experiences for visitors and residents alike. The project aims to offer 4,500 hotel rooms, 1,500 vacation units, and 2,500 mixed-use units, providing a wide range of options for tourists and investors.
The strategic location of Punta Bergantín, just 15 minutes from Puerto Plata, 12 minutes from Sosúa, and eight minutes from the Gregorio Luperón International Airport, makes it an accessible and attractive destination. With the construction of six five-star hotels, including the first Inclusive Collection hotel by Hyatt, the area is set to become a magnet for luxury tourism. The project also includes significant residential developments, positioning Punta Bergantín as a prime real estate destination.
The economic impact of Punta Bergantín will be profound, with the creation of 20,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, as well as extensive infrastructure improvements. The project’s first phase, led by the Martinón Group, is expected to deliver 800 new hotel rooms within a year, generating 1,300 direct jobs. This rapid development underscores the confidence that investors have in the project and its potential to drive economic growth in the region.
Special thanks were extended to the Rainieri family, a prominent name in the Dominican tourism industry, for their support and investment in the project. Their involvement is seen as a strong vote of confidence in the future of Puerto Plata and its potential as a top-tier destination.
Punta Bergantín is more than just a tourism project; it is a vision for the future of Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic as a whole. By combining luxury tourism with sustainable development, the project aims to create a world-class destination that will stand the test of time, benefiting the local community and economy for generations to come. The launch of the Hyatt Zilara Hotel is just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for Puerto Plata, setting the stage for a new era of prosperity and growth in the region.
