Economist highlights strong expansion of North American hotel brands in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- Cuban economist and tourism specialist José Luis Perelló highlighted that leading hotel franchises in the Dominican Republic for 2024 include major North American brands such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, IHG, Wyndham, St. Regis, Four Seasons, Rosewood, and Ritz-Carlton. Spanish investors, who have traditionally owned and operated hotels in the country, are now increasingly partnering with these U.S. brands for both marketing and management, marking a shift from the vertically integrated model of previous decades.

Perelló attributed this transformation to evolving travel trends and the growing dominance of U.S. and Canadian tourists, who are more familiar with North American hotel brands. This shift has influenced major investments, including the Maralda project in Miches, which will feature a 500-room beachfront resort operated by an American hotel chain.

Maralda is a large-scale development spanning over 8 million square meters in Esmeralda Beach, blending luxury, sustainability, and innovation. The project will include high-end hotels, exclusive residences, commercial spaces, and cultural attractions, reinforcing the Dominican Republic’s position as a premier tourism destination.