AMResorts, a subsidiary of Apple Leisure Group, has announced five new resort contracts in the first quarter of 2015 as part of its ongoing plan to develop a greater presence in the Latin American and Caribbean markets.
The company expects to expand its footprint in several markets with the contracts, which will include the 385-room Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa and Dreams Dominicus La Romana in the Dominican Republic; the 500-room Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, scheduled to open in Mexico in March 2016; the 202-suite Secrets Papagayo, which is closed for renovations until November, in Costa Rica; and the 126-suite Zoëtry Isla Di Oro Aruba, scheduled to open in Aruba in 2018—marking AMResort’s entry into Aruba.
“Mexico continues to be a priority as Apple Leisure Group expands into highly desirable destinations with diverse offerings through AMResorts, including our latest entry into Aruba,” says Javier Coll, executive vice president and CSO of Apple Leisure Group. “Our aggressive growth strategy has successfully established our footprint in 23 destinations in eight countries.”
Beyond the five resort contracts, the resort-management company will open and develop additional properties in in Latin America and the Caribbean over the next three years. In Mexico, both the 434-room Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya and the 169-room Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa will open this November, while the 450-room Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort will open in 2016. Panama will see the completion of its first AMResorts property—the 614-suite Dreams Buenaventura Panama, slated to open in 2016.
Upon completion of its newest properties, AMResorts’ branded hotels will number 45 in total with a combined 17,087 rooms in 23 destinations across the region.
In preparation for the new resort contracts and growth, the company added to its in-country team with the appointment of Dominique Bertholet as director of development in Cancun. The role will involve maintaining and fostering new relationships in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Additionally, Bertholet will act as a resource to hotel owners entering the sector.
“We anticipate significant investment opportunities in the Americas in 2015, as demonstrated by the rapid growth of its hotel market and strong tourism figures last year,” says Alejandro Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group. “The Caribbean alone saw a 5 percent increase in the number of tourists, and Mexico saw close to a 20 percent increase in visiting tourists in the first half of 2014.”
