The regional vice president of the hotel chain, Bojan Kumer, said that, given the interest that the Cabo Rojo project has aroused in Pedernales, they are actively looking for an opportunity to participate in it.
The good news in Dominican tourism encourages prestigious hotel chains such as Marriott International to assess the growth potential of this sector and explore new opportunities to increase their presence in innovative market niches.
In an exclusive interview with Listín Diario, the regional vice president of Development for Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America, Bojan Kumer, revealed the chain’s plans in the country, its achievements, and future trends in the smokeless industry sector.
How many properties do you have in the region and how many of them are in the Dominican Republic?
Bojan Kumer: We are extremely excited about Marriott International’s strong growth in the region and all the projects to come.
As of the third quarter of 2023, we have 493 properties in the region under 22 different brands with properties in 37 countries and territories throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
We have 14 properties with more than 3,700 rooms in the Dominican Republic alone.
Which of your brands are present in the Dominican Republic and do you plan to set up others?
Bojan Kumer: Out of a portfolio of more than 30 global brands, we have 9 Marriott brands in Dominican Republic: AC Hotels by Marriott, Autograph Collection, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels, The Luxury Collection and Westin Hotels.
We have big plans to expand our premium and luxury brands, including Autograph Collection and The Luxury Collection.
How much has the chain invested in the country?
Bojan Kumer: While I can’t give a figure, I can say that the Dominican Republic is one of the top countries for Marriott in the region by number of properties and projects. We have 17 properties under development in the medium to long term, with more than 3,000 rooms, in this country alone.
In financial terms, our latest quarter results in the region reflect healthy RevPAR growth with a 2.8% increase over the third quarter of 2022, as well as occupancy that grew close to 3% over the third quarter of 2022.
How has Marriott International’s experience been in the Dominican Republic?
Bojan Kumer: The Dominican Republic is a destination with great potential. From Santo Domingo to Punta Cana, our investment in the Dominican Republic is a testament to the confidence in the destination’s tourism industry that has huge growth potential in segments such as luxury and all-inclusive.
What innovations and projects do you envisage for 2024, and which ones will be implemented in the Dominican Republic?
Bojan Kumer: We are extremely happy to announce that we recently ventured into new segments, including our recent entry into the midscale segment with City Express by Marriott, with plans for possible brand expansion into the country.
And in response to growing demand for extended-stay options and evolving traveler preferences for larger, multifunctional units, Marriott made a significant leap into the multifamily segment with Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy.
This new brand concept paves the way into a specific niche, catering to the desires of guests looking for extended stays and various accommodation options for friends and families.
Characterized by residential charm and locally-inspired design, Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy properties feature separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, and laundry facilities.
We are excited about the endless possibilities that Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will offer potential real estate developers in the destination, offering the flexibility to either build new properties or convert existing residential or office properties, with a design approach similar to Marriott’s successful Autograph Collection Hotels and Tribute Portfolio brands.
A new tourist destination is being developed in the Dominican Republic, Cabo Rojo-Pedernales. Would Marriott International be considering establishing any of its brands in this new destination?
Bojan Kumer: We are aware of the growing interest that the Pedernales area has sparked in recent years and are actively looking for new development opportunities to enter this market.
What are the new trends that Marriott International is setting in the tourism industry?
Bojan Kumer: In Health & Wellness: We’ve seen that travelers are now looking to reconnect with the destination and get some inner benefit from their trip.
Cultural destinations (cities): Cultural capitals are extremely important, as travelers are now looking for experiences, central places that allow them to learn about the destination’s history and local life.
All-inclusive: An extremely attractive segment for travelers looking to get the most out of their travel investment. Marriott International currently has 31 all-inclusive properties in the region under 5 brands and 9 different markets.
Bleisure: It is a trend that is here to stay, with people traveling for business and extending their trip to get to know the destination or adding family or friends to their initial trip.
Luxury: This segment continues to grow strongly, and our region is ideal as it is home to approximately 10% of MI’s global luxury portfolio with 59 properties in 5 of Marriott International’s 7 global luxury brands.
Sustainability: Travelers are now looking for sustainable travel options, including supporting local businesses, reducing waste, reducing carbon footprint, etc.
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