In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Manuela Fahringer, General Manager of a new jewel in the Caribbean, in the Dominican Republic, the Zemi Miches by Curio Collection All Inclusive Resort hotel by Hilton.
Why did you choose the location, how are the works going, when will it open, what capabilities do they have?
The Dominican Republic has made a lot of progress, the tourist areas of Pávaro, Punta Cana, Bero Alto Macao, have already been detected and now we are precisely focused on a new destination called Miches. The location of the hotel has been chosen for nature, palm trees, rice fields, for 800 meters directly facing the sea, in a natural pool where there are no waves, no current. It is a place that has improved a lot lately with the road to Miches. Access is now 1 hour 20 minutes, versus 4 hours previously.
The destination promises a lot of nature that will also be found within the construction. Our construction, for example, dedicated a lot of time and dedication to leaving natural shadows on the beach. We have the grape plants, we have the coconuts. Zemi Miches by Curio is going to be Hilton's first all-inclusive hotel in this form, because there is no Curio all-inclusive yet here in the Dominican Republic. It is one of the 22 brands that Hilton has, but it is the first all-inclusive for Curio. When you enter the work, you enter the destination, you notice a good vibe. We have already made some visits from tour operators and they are shocked with the way it is being structured facing the sea. From the lobby you can see the sea, the tranquility of the bay, but in the background you can see the mountains of Samaná.
The hotel will have 512 rooms, half will have sea views. All floors below have their private pool. We are going to have a water park, also 13 restaurants, 11 bars. We have in the main building, on the third floor, a private pool for the VIP club and something unique that we are going to have is that we will have 20 bungalows facing the ocean and each one with its private pool facing the sea, with its own restaurant.
Is that type of proposal unique for the Curio brand?
Yes, it is unique because Curio itself leaves a lot of individuality to the brand, they are hotels that have their own personality and in this case Curio relies a lot on what Zemi is, which is the place where one can go to breathe fresh air. The hotel is going to be full, we will reach about 900 clients. It is a family hotel, we are going to have a Teens Club, Kids Club, courts, sports bar and also a convention center. Access to the hotel will be through the Punta Cana airport. There are also many options to get direct transfers or buses. The journey normally takes one hour and 20 minutes from the Punta Cana airport to the destination itself, at the door of the hotel. Our owner is not just anyone, he is the son of the owner of the Punta Cana airport, from the Punta Cana group. And he, with the Pro Miches association, which has already been created, are thinking of doing slower, more organized planning, so that it is an area where clients can go out and explore as well.
When do you understand that it would be able to operate?
The opening is scheduled for the end of November this year.
How are they going to promote it?
Right now it is the best place, the Date that introduced us here in the country is the best way for now. Then clearly in the Hilton Worldwide Sales market.
What is the market that you are targeting?
The main market is going to be the American and Canadian markets, and the European market as well to a certain extent. It is a mix of precisely people or groups who want to go to a destination to discover, who are a little more tired of destinations without detracting from it like Cancun, Punta Cana itself, who need something new that catches their attention. I also think that after COVID, everyone has suffered a lot of stress, caution, problems, and they need a destination where they can really rest and coexist with nature in a short time. The town of Miches is a fishing town, and it has one more advantage, it was not created artificially, it is full of natural options.