• Dominican Republic leaders and officials gathered in Punta Cana today to support a more than $ 350 million project investment led by entertainment company Falcon’s Beyond Global and in partnership with Meliá Hotel International
  • As part of the investment, Meliá Hotels International also announced plans for significant renovation and expansion work at two leading Paradisus resorts in the destination

Last week, in a joint venture with Falcon’s Beyond Global, Meliá Hotels International announced extensive plans to build and develop a world-class theme park, Katmandu ™, due to open in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in the fall of 2022 world class entertainment, hospitality and retail.

The Falcon’s Beyond ™ entertainment plan was developed in two phases. Phase 1 includes the development of Katmandu Park Punta Cana, which will bring the beloved characters and stories of Katmandu, already loved by millions of visitors to Europe, to a whole new audience in the Caribbean. The Kathmandu experience includes state-of-the-art, one-of-a-kind rides and attractions, including the world’s first Suspended Theater® that immerses guests in the stories of Kathmandu. From legendary attractions to exhilarating adventures, Katmandu Park will completely transform the entertainment on offer in the Dominican Republic.

Phase 2 will add a premier entertainment, dining and retail destination with world-renowned brands, all managed by Falcon’s Beyond.

“The size and strength of the entertainment brands that we will be announcing as part of Phase 2 early next year are truly amazing,” said Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO of Falcons Beyond Global.

“This large joint venture between Meliá Hotels International and Falcon’s Beyond in Punta Cana, an exceptional destination we have worked on for over 30 years, will become the first world-class theme park and entertainment destination in the Caribbean,” said the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer by Meliá, Gabriel Escarrer.

To reinforce Meliá Hotels International’s commitment to Punta Cana for over thirty years, the Spanish hotel brand has included a major renovation of two of its Paradisus hotels in Punta Cana in its investment plan, including rebuilding its first resort in the destination. Paradise Punta Cana. Extensive renovation work has also been announced for Paradisus Palma Real. The company expects renovations to existing hotels to be largely complete by the end of 2023. The new Paradisus Punta Cana will employ sustainable and smart architectural criteria and native landscaping to minimize the negative impact of its construction on its fragile natural environment with energy efficiency and cutting-edge water and waste management high on the agenda, as well as circular economy and neutral emissions .

“Punta Cana is the starting point of our Paradisus by Meliá brand with the opening of Paradisus Punta Cana in 1995,” said André P. Gerondeau, COO of Meliá Hotels International. “With this new plan, it will be replaced by a travel destination that adds a new level of luxury to a brand loved by some of the world’s most discerning travelers and offers exceptional experiences based on an all-inclusive luxury service, exceptional Locations and a sustainable and responsible management philosophy.

Meliá Hotels International has 82 hotels certified by Earth Check and has been one of the two most sustainable hotel companies in the world since 2019 in the Standard & Poor’s Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment Local communities, promoting education and employment, inclusion and accessibility.

“Meliá is investing $ 350 million with Falcons Beyond Global, an investment that will have an impact on the region and the country,” said Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic. “This is the goal of this government, investment and job opportunities in The Dominican Republic.”

“Together with Meliá and the Dominican Republic, we are truly creating a destination like no other – a new dimension of entertainment for Punta Cana,” said Scott Demerau, Executive Chairman of Falcons Beyond Global. “This entertainment destination is designed to complement the beach and resort experiences day and night, a new reason for tourists to visit the Dominican Republic and enjoy all the country has to offer”

About Melia Hotels International

Meliá Hotels International was founded in Mallorca (Spain) in 1956 and operates more than 390 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) in more than 40 countries, with brands such as Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE from Meliá, Sol from Meliá and TRYP from Wyndham. The company is the world’s leading provider of resort hotels while leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. According to RobecoSam, the investment company that created the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, its commitment to responsible tourism made the group the third most sustainable hotel company in the world in 2018. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the Spanish IBEX 35 stock exchange index and is the Spanish hotel leader in corporate reputation (Merco ranking). Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram meliahotelsinternational.com