It’s quite rare, but in the 5,800 hotels located in more than 110 countries that the Accor group operates, a leading tourist destination was missing today: the Dominican Republic. In a market where American and Spanish groups are widely represented, this absence will now be only temporary, since the French group has just announced a series of developments across the country. This applies both in the capital Saint-Domingue and in the popular leisure areas for incentive stays such as Miches, the Bay of Samana or Punta Cana.
On the occasion of the Dominican Republic Week in France, the hotel group signed several agreements or protocol agreements for more than 20 hotels under construction. This represents a total of 6,000 rooms under preparation, equivalent to 6.5 % of the Dominican Republic’s hotel capacity.« We are not just investing in this market; we are actively participating in its structuring., commented Camil Yazbeck, General Manager of the Development of Premium, Mid-Range and Economy Brands at Accor. The Dominican Republic represents a market in which tourism growth, infrastructure-related investments, and international demand are advancing in concert and at a rapid pace. ".
From large conferences to incentive stays
Driven by the state-owned bank Banreservas, and supported by Dominican and international investors, this development plan targets both business travelers and tourists who come to relax under the Caribbean sun. A symbol of an expansion that is not only aimed at leisure clientele, a Pullman hotel will soon be established in Juan Dolio, just above a 4,000-seat convention center currently under construction. Located in the east of the capital, near the Las Américas International Airport, this 400-key hotel will help make it possible to organize international congresses and events on the Dominican coastline.
In addition to supporting Rep« Dom’’s expansion ambitions in the MICE segment, Accor is strengthening its offering of urban hotels with a Swissôtel expected in Saint-Domingue, combining 75 keys and 180 residences for long-term stays, while an ibis budget with 170 rooms will be located near the capital’s airport in 2028. In the meantime, a 100-key ibis hotel is also planned at Punta Cana airport. Meanwhile, business and leisure travelers will find two new Novotel in the seaside city, the Novotel Punta Cana starting in 2027, followed by the Novotel Punta Cana Downtown. An ibis Styles is also expected in Punta Cana in 2030, on the main road leading to the destination.
Through the recently concluded development agreements, the ibis brand family is also involved in the structuring of a network of budget hotels that meet international standards in the country’s major cities – Saint-Domingue, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas and Higüey – as well as in airport areas, as seen above.
Multibrand complexes
Of course, this development plan would not be complete without what makes the destination so appealing: the large resort complexes. In this context, Accor will install several of these brands in a 207-hectare complex currently being built along the coast in Miches. This will meet all the expectations of MICE groups with the large Grand Mercure and Novotel with 1,000 keys, and a Swissôtel with 250 rooms. If, in a more economical style, a luxurious Fairmont could also be added to complete the project.
Another tourist destination, more focused on nature and well-being, Cabo Engaño, at the easternmost tip of the country, is expected to see the emergence of an imposing 1,000-room Mövenpick hotel, complemented by a 150-key Swissôtel hotel and 100 «branded residences». A long-stay component will also be offered by a 150-room Tribe hotel accompanied by 350 Tribe Living residences.
Finally, the Handwritten Collection brand is also involved in this expansion with two projects: one in Cabrera, on the north side, with a 95-key boutique hotel expected in 2028, and the other, larger in Miches with a 350-room complex located on the edge of a lagoon facing the Bay of Samana. For an opening scheduled for 2030.
