Sandals is in expansion mode and the Dominican Republic is eager to be among the next destinations to welcome the popular luxury brand to its shores. To that end, the country recently invited a top-level Sandals re-con team to see for themselves just what’s doing in the DR.

Led by Executive Chairman Adam Stewart and CEO Gebhard Rainer, members of the Sandals Resorts International (SRI) executive committee toured the country, meeting with government officials – including being received by Dominican Republic president Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona.

The two-day exploratory visit was designed to showcase different destinations and tourism investment opportunities, including in the Punta Cana, Miches, and Las Terrenas areas, among others.

Although Stewart and other SRI executives had been to the Dominican Republic previously, this marked the first official visit by the Jamaica-based luxury all-inclusive resort company to the destination.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our brief but fruitful time in the Dominican Republic and wish to thank our hosts, especially President Abinader. When leadership at the highest levels makes time to discuss the power of tourism and investment opportunities that expand its reach, we know we’ve found a like-minded partner,” said Stewart.

According to the DR’s ambassador to Jamaica Angie Shakira Martínez, plans for the visit had been underway for some time, and were of great importance to the Dominican Republic.

“The (tourism) industry is critically important to our economy,” she said. “It is a dream of ours to have the very prestigious Sandals brand present here. We are honoured by the visit and excited by the possibility of our island nation becoming the first Spanish Caribbean territory to welcome the Sandals organization.”

SRI is in the midst of a multi-year expansion and innovation plan, with plans to double its portfolio in the next decade. Earlier this year, SRI reopened Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau, Bahamas, and will unveil its first property in Curaçao on June 1.

Additionally, three new resorts are currently planned for Jamaica and, in 2023, SRI will unveil a new resort under their Beaches Resorts brand in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“This was an excellent visit at a time when we are pursuing expansion goals aggressively. We look forward to the possibility of what’s to come,” said Stewart.