In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Ramón Romero, Sales Director of Hard Rock Punta Cana.
What is the objective of RCD Hotels and Resorts' participation in this event?
The goal is always to generate more business for the company in general. All these events by ICCA are very important, it is an association that represents a lot worldwide, especially for the association market.
We are members of ICCA and therefore our expectations are always high in terms of business generation and networking with clients.
How has this year been going in a market as competitive as the Dominican Republic?
We have done very well, especially the first half of the year was spectacular, we did not believe the strong demand there was, all the business closures that took place. We did see the second half, where we realized that demand dropped. There are external political and economic factors that are affecting the world, but in general it is stable.
Already looking ahead to 2025, we are generating a base, especially for the first quarter of the year.
What is it like to have a convention inside the Hard Rock?
It's quite funny. The human team we have is first class. It's one of the things that many of our clients applaud us for. The ability that has been created in the hotel specifically for the MICE market is incredible.
It is a hotel built and prepared to receive this market, for example, it has an exclusive lobby for groups, large enough to line up buses.
So while it is fun and each group and each client has its own challenges, it is very easy to work in a hotel that is prepared with people who work for this market.
What types of industries do you work with the most based on the history of events you have held?
We have been fortunate to work with different industries at the corporate and pharmaceutical level. We have worked with insurance companies, banks, airports, food companies, car companies, gas stations, and obviously with medical associations, which is what we are mainly doing at this event.
There have been a variety of multi-level marketing companies, including some that are dedicated to fitness products, for example. Each one has taught us to evolve into what we are today. We have created a team to operate all these types of diverse companies.
What are the main features of the hotel?
We have 1,882 rooms with 13 restaurants, 13 pools, or swimming pools as we say in Mexico, 6,300 square meters of lounge that can be divided into 32 breakouts, we have a casino and a host of activities that are included, others that are not. We also have a golf course, a spa (one of the largest spas in Latin America located in a resort), and much more that you will discover.