Destination-wide effort has resulted in 90% of staff and hotel staff already vaccinated.
Below: President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader attends company vaccination day at Secrets® and Dreams® Royal Beach Punta Cana
NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA (May 4, 2021) — Apple Leisure Group® (“ALG”), the leading North American leisure travel, hospitality and resort brand-management group, continues to drive the global recovery of the leisure travel segment with the rollout of an aggressive COVID-19 vaccine campaign in the Dominican Republic, further accelerating confidence in the top destination of Punta Cana.
On April 28, 2021, AMResorts® branded properties Secrets® and Dreams® Royal Beach Punta Cana hosted the first of several vaccination days for company executives and staff across all 11 properties in the country. Ninety percent of staff received the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to the initiative launched by the company in partnership with the President and the Ministry of Tourism. All staff vaccinations are scheduled to be complete by the end of May, and in June for the entire tourism sector workforce.
“Apple Leisure Group and its portfolio of companies are committed to rebuilding better travel, with this vaccination campaign being the latest of many priority efforts executed thus far across our lines of business,” said Alejandro Reynal, CEO and President of ALG. “Protecting the resort employees is crucial as they are at the front lines of what we do, and their safety extends to the millions of guests welcomed at all AMResorts® branded properties, and through the ALGVacations™ brands.”
ALGVacations™ currently offers Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights to Punta Cana originating out of nine U.S. gateways, with plans to add more seats in 2022. ALGVacations™ also has a close working relationship with the Dominican Republic Tourism Board that includes co-hosting FAM trips and educational webinars for travel agents, and joint U.S. market advertising campaigns.
“The Dominican Republic remains a popular destination for vacationers,” said Ray Snisky, ALGVacations Group President. “As we see the demand for travel return among vaccinated Americans, we are enthusiastic about the destination’s recovery. Booking volume the last six weeks has recovered to 2019 levels, and the Dominican Republic’s dedication to getting its citizens and hospitality workers vaccinated adds confidence in travel to the destination.”
ALG’s destination management service company, Amstar DMC, organized local staff, coordinated with local clinics and provided transportation to facilitate the vaccination process from its Dominican Republic headquarters in Punta Cana. The company has implemented “Safe & Clean” hygiene protocols for staff and client safety throughout the vacation experience and remains in constant communication with travel advisors on updates and requirements as travel activity resumes.
The Honorable President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, attended the vaccination day along with Tourism Minister David Collado, Administrative Minister José Ignacio Paliza, Vice Minister of Public Health Fernando Ureña, Director-General of Customs Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, and Vice Minister of Tourism Patricia Mejía.
“AMResorts® leadership in the destination is working diligently with the teams for the timely completion of all vaccinations,” added Luis Núñez, Regional Commercial Director. “We are in close collaboration with the government to meet their commitment to vaccinate all front-line tourism workers and continue to welcome back travelers from a position of strength.”
The president’s visit was hosted by Enrique Martinón, President of Grupo Martinón; Artur Cabre, President of Grumasa, on behalf of the owners of Secrets® and Dreams® Royal Beach Punta Cana; Ray Snisky, President of ALGVacations®; Daniel Hernández, Regional VP of AMResorts® for DR; Andrés Marranzini, Executive VP of ASONAHORES (National Association of Hotels and Restaurants); Luis Núñez, AMResorts® Regional Commercial Director; and Ernesto Veloz, President of ASOLESTE (Eastern Hotel Association).
To learn more about the Apple Leisure Group advantage, visit www.algdevelopment.com.
To learn more about ALG Vacation’s powerful and growing vacation brands, visit www.appleleisuregroup.com/segments/vacations.
To learn more about the AMResorts® collection of branded luxury resort destinations, visit www.amresorts.com.
To learn more about Amstar's world-class destination management services, visit www.amstardmc.com.
About Apple Leisure Group®
Apple Leisure Group® (ALG) is the leading North American travel, hospitality and leisure management group with a unique business model, serving travelers and destinations worldwide. ALG consistently delivers exceptional value to travelers and strong performance to resort owners and partners by strategically leveraging the power of its portfolio of brands, including: the largest seller of vacation packages and charter flights in the U.S. for travel to Mexico and the Caribbean, moving approximately 3.2 million passengers annually through the well-established vacation brands Apple Vacations®, BeachBound®, Travel Impressions®, CheapCaribbean.com®, Blue Sky Tours®, Southwest Vacations®, Funjet Vacations®, and United Vacations®; brand management of 5-star and 4-star luxury resorts through AMResorts® award-winning brand portfolio including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spas Resorts, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Breathless® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Now® Resorts & Spas, Reflect® Resorts & Spas, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas and Alua® Hotels & Resorts; best-in-class destination management services provided by Amstar DMC and Worldstar®, the exclusive loyalty program Unlimited Vacation Club®; and the innovative technology solutions provider Trisept Solutions®, connecting over 88,000 travel agents with leading travel suppliers.
To learn more about the Apple Leisure Group advantage, visit www.algdevelopment.com.
About AMResorts®
AMResorts® collectively provide sales, marketing and brand management services to eight individually unique resort brands including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets®, Breathless®, Dreams®, Now®, Reflect® Resorts & Spas, Alua® Hotels & Resorts and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas. The AMResorts® collection of brands is continuously raising the all-inclusive concept to a new level of luxury with its signature Endless Privileges®, Unlimited-Luxury®, and Unlimited-Fun® programs. Located throughout Mexico, Jamaica, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, and Spain, AMResorts’ 70 award-winning properties treat every guest to premium accommodations, desirable locations and extraordinary inclusions. The brands in the collection include: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts (zoetryresorts.com; 1-888-4-ZOËTRY); Secrets Resorts & Spas (secretsresorts.com; 1-866-GO SECRETS); Breathless Resorts & Spas (breathlessresorts.com; 1-855-65-BREATHE); Dreams Resorts & Spas (dreamsresorts.com; 1-866-2-DREAMS); Now Resorts & Spas (nowresorts.com; 1-877-NOW-9953); Reflect Resorts & Spas (reflectresorts.com), Sunscape Resorts & Spas (sunscaperesorts.com; 1-866-SUNSCAPE) and Alua Hotels & Resorts (aluahotels.com). Images, logos and informational material about the AMResorts® collection of brands and properties are available at amresorts.com/mediasite/media.
About Amstar,
Amstar DMC provides world-class destination services to individuals, travel agencies, tour operators, corporations and meeting planners. We have a track record of 30 successful years delivering exceptional experiences in many of the world’s most beautiful destinations, think Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Curacao, St. Martin, Aruba, and Hawaii. From handpicked destination experiences to private VIP itineraries, plus a wide range of transportation options, Amstar delivers the kind of experiences and service you need to create memories for life. Amstar DMC only offers the highest quality excursions that provide memorable travel moments, stress free. Amstar DMC provides world-class service, delivered by a team of travel experts with a deep-rooted passion for travel and customer service. Amstar DMC local experts are there each step of the way, providing meet and greet services at the airport, destination information at resorts and round-the-clock support by phone, email or social media, anytime, anywhere! To learn more about Amstar DMC, visit www.amstardmc.com.