After the holidays have ended when the winter sun booking season is at full throttle there’s one all-inclusive resort chain that encourages clients to keep up with the party atmosphere with new complimentary experiences added to its already popular portfolio.

Riu Hotels and Resorts has put a fresh spin on party. The leading family-owned Spanish hotel brand based in Majorca has expanded its popular Riu party concept rolled out last year to now include two party choices: ‘pool’ or ‘get together.’

Hugo Aguilera, Director of Business Development, USA and Canada with Riu was in town at its exclusive Canadian tour operator Sunwing’s annual holiday party to make several company announcements.

Riu Party and Riu Get Together Party

Riu has expanded its Riu Party to offer a complimentary adults-only fun experience that is currently available at its Cabo and Punta Cana locations. The separate resort area showcases a pool party, entertainment with bars and food outlets and offers four themed parties a week for adults.

The other is the Riu Get Together Party, a concept good for the growing multi-gen niche market segment he says outlining these Riu Get Together Parties, which are complimentary services with food and drink included, are currently available in Playa del Carmen at the Riu Tequila, Puerto Vallarta, and in Costa Rica with more to come.

“Anyone can participate in these get together parties,” he says further explaining that at his recent visit in Playa del Carmen a baby shark song got the entire family dancing to the playful tune. “The kids were loving it.”

Splash Water World

The Splash Water World is another growing all-included experience which, when the aquatic funplex water park first debuted in Punta Cana, Aguilera admits the resort company was not sure on the market demand.

It turns out, “It was phenomenal,” he says of the popular water park, a project with wide appeal for kids and adults. Agents, he noted, can expect more future Splash Water Worlds at other Riu locations. “People thought we were crazy when we opened the first water park in an adults-only hotel. Everyone thought this was for kids and they thought why. Guess what? It is very popular so they go get a drink at the bar and go down the slide and they repeat.”

Splash Water World water parks are available across a variety of Riu locations. There are two splash parks in Punta Cana, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Ocho Rios and more to come. On November 1 Riu opened a new water park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. “This is the first water park that opened in Costa Rica,” he highlighted of the all-included experience.

Reliability and Agent Support

On renovations, Aguilera emphasizes that when Riu plans its resort re-openings agents can expect reliability. “When we say it is going to open this day it happens. We have never been late. We are not planning to be late,” he notes.

On travel agents, Aguilera maintains unlike other hotel companies that sell time share, Riu is committed to the agent community. “We do not sell time share .. we are 100 percent supporters of travel agents and we will continue to support you.”

Here’s a snapshot of Riu’s top sellers and new developments for the 2019-2020 booking season.

Ocho Rios

The all-inclusive resort company’s popular selling Hotel Riu Ocho Rios has completed a total reno and in the process the first RIU water park in Jamaica has made a splash debut. “We got rid of the deluxe wing so it’s one hotel and less confusing for you and the clients. You can go on two sides, the new common area, the pools –this is one of the biggest renovations we have ever seen in Riu,” says Aguilera.

Montego Bay

In 2020 an extensive eight-month renovation will occur at the RIU Montego Bay from April through September. The property will re-open as an adults-only hotel and will be the largest hotel chain in Montego Bay with the largest adults only inventory. In addition, clients can enjoy the offerings at the adults-only Riu Reggae, a classic resort, as well as the adults-only Riu Palace Jamaica.

Mazatlan

This Mexican colonial city on the edge of the Pacific Ocean is morphing into a hot new destination, and Riu has taken note.

An extension has been added to the Riu Emerald Bay’s original building expanding the room inventory to 300 more rooms. Watch for the Splash Water World water park. How many hotels have an oceanfront water park? Clients can anticipate more recreational offerings at the popular family-friendly all-inclusive. Children have a play area as well as two new swimming pools, a pool bar, a restaurant and a new cocktail lounge with a theatre.

Riviera Maya

A favourite sun hub for Canadians, the RIU Palace Riviera Maya located in Playa del Carmen has undergone a complete renovation. “This property is one of the favourite ones,” Aguilera says and adds, “clients will see a clear improvement in the quality and variety of hotel services.” For room interiors, the bathrooms have shower stalls and no bathtubs.

The RIU Palace Riviera Maya re-opens on December 6, a day before the official planned re-opening. “Why wait,” he adds on the highly anticipated re-opening.

Riviera Nayarit

On Mexico’s west coast, the newly renovated Riu Vallarta is up and running. Clients can expect a new fresh style of room interiors and public spaces. Watch for a total redesign in the pool and restaurants area. In addition, the acclaimed RiuLand Kids’ Club has a new area for small children which includes a swimming pool.

Costa Rica

Clients who stay at this top selling Central American destination for RIU can anticipate new thrills as RIU celebrates its 10th anniversary in Costa Rica. Expect enhanced entertainment offerings at Riu Guanacaste and the Riu Palace Costa Rica with the launch of the Splash Water World water park designed for families.

Future RIU Plazas

RIU is moving rapidly into the urban landscape announcing an ambitious expansion plan over the next five years estimated investment in over €2.5 ($3.6) billion.

Watch for several planned Riu Plaza hotels set to open globally such as the future opening of the company’s first hotel in Dubai. In London, a new RIU Plaza is scheduled to open in one of the capital city’s exclusive neighbourhoods. The future hotel site will be located within walking distance to Westminster Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

Other future Riu Plazas have been confirmed in Toronto and Senegal. The San Francisco Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf has just opened in the storied tourist hub near the famous Pier 39, North Beach, and Chinatown.

Dominican Republic

For this sun destination which has seen a considerable drop in bookings due to the recent media coverage of resort fatalities, Aguilera assured the packed room of industry and trade media guests Punta Cana, in particular, is open for business. “For everybody in the industry who knows – it is normal. I want to give a special mention to the Riu in Punta Cana and the Riu Republica. Keep supporting Punta Cana because the destination really needs it,” he says further adding the Latin Caribbean country strongly relies on the tourism sector.

“We should really support them because they have been supporting our clients for the past 20-30 years,” he concluded.