Accor becoming a driving force in the future of Dominican Republic tourism
On the occasion of Dominican Republic Week in France (October 19–23), Accor, a global leader in hospitality, has signed a series of new hotel development agreements at its Paris headquarters.
The Group now has 23 hotel projects in its Dominican Republic development pipeline, through signed agreements as well as memoranda of understanding: this represents nearly 6,000 keys, equivalent to around 6.5% of national hotel capacity, more than 1,000 branded residences and up to 9,000 direct jobs.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMEs of the Dominican Republic; Daniel Peña, Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade; and David Puig, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to France, together with Accor representatives, project owners and investors. Held with the support of the embassies of both countries, it reflects the deepening economic ties between France and the Dominican Republic.
"The Dominican Republic is a market where tourism growth, infrastructure investment, and international demand are all converging at pace, and the opportunity is real,” said Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor. “What sets Accor apart here is our ability to serve this market across all its dimensions, urban and resort, business and leisure, economy and premium, with the right brand for every location and every traveler. With more than 20 hotels underway, we are not simply entering this market, we are helping to shape it. Together with our valued partners, we are moving with purpose and conviction to create real, lasting value for the communities, investors, and owners we work with."
“Every project announced today and in our pipeline was born of a partnership,” added Abel Castro, Chief Development Officer, Accor Americas. “Dominican families, investors and institutions have placed their trust in Accor. Today, we begin to turn that trust into hotels, local jobs and new destinations.”
Welcoming 11.6 million visitors in 2025, the Dominican Republic offers far more than sun and sand, and the Accor platform covers it all: urban and business travel, in Santo Domingo, Santiago and the new downtown of Punta Cana, and at the country's two main airports; meetings, incentives and events, led by Pullman Juan Dolio and its 4,000-seat convention center, alongside Novotel, Grand Mercure and Swissôtel; and resorts, in Miches, at Cabo Engaño and on Samaná Bay.
Two exclusive development agreements, for ibis and ibis budget, will also take tourism beyond the province of La Altagracia, home to around 60% of the country's hotel rooms, according to Asonahores, the national hotel and tourism association. The plan is backed by Dominican and international investors and supported by Banreservas, the Dominican state-owned bank.
Owners retain their assets, while Accor brings its unrivaled brand portfolio, its global scale and distribution, and ALL Accor, the Group's booking platform and loyalty program. On the morning of the ceremony, project owners presented their plans to financial institutions at the Accor headquarters.
DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Miches – Along the coast of Miches, a multi-branded resort destination on 207 hectares: Swissôtel (250 keys), dedicated to wellness; Grand Mercure and Novotel Resort (1,000 keys each), perfect for families and groups; and ibis, for visitors and resort teams. Adding some luxury flair will be a luxury branded hotel (250 key + 100 branded residences) under a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Cabo Engaño – On the country's easternmost point, a nature and wellness destination: Mövenpick (1,000 keys), TRIBE (150) with 350 TRIBE LIVING residences, and Swissôtel (150) with 100 branded residences. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Samaná Bay and Cabrera – Handwritten Collection Miches (franchise agreement), a 350-key lagoon resort facing the bay where humpback whales gather each winter, will anchor a 36-hectare master plan with 400 branded residences. On the north coast, Handwritten Collection Cabrera (franchise agreement), a 95-key boutique hotel, will stand on the cliffs where the sea meets the mountains. The hotels are expected to open in 2030 and 2028 respectively.
Juan Dolio – On the coast east of Santo Domingo, close to Las Américas International Airport, Pullman Juan Dolio will rise above a 4,000-seat convention center, with 400 keys, bringing international congresses and events to the Dominican coast.
Punta Cana – Novotel Punta Cana (franchise, 102 keys) will arrive first, with a scheduled opening of 2027, followed by Novotel Punta Cana Downtown (franchise agreement, 137 keys), which will help reshape the Bávaro-Punta Cana corridor into a multi-use financial and residential hub. Both will welcome business and leisure travelers alike, while ibis Styles Punta Cana (90 keys), targeted for 2030, will welcome guests on the main road into the destination.
Nationwide – Two exclusive development agreements will create a network of ibis (exclusive development agreement, 550 keys) and ibis budget (exclusive development agreement, 700 keys) hotels, offering international standards at accessible prices, from the airports, with ibis Punta Cana Airport (franchise agreement, 100 keys and ibis budget Santo Domingo Airport (franchise agreement, 180 keys), to Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas and Higüey.
Santo Domingo – In the capital, Swissôtel Santo Domingo will combine around 75 keys with 180 branded residences, responding to a growing demand for long stays and residences with hotel services. At the airport, ibis budget Santo Domingo Airport (franchise agreement, 170 keys) should debut in 2028..... Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here
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