Spanish company Meliá Hotels International, through a joint venture with Falcon's Beyond Global, is planning to build and develop a theme park resort in in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, called Katmandu. The development, which includes significant upgrades to two existing resorts, is slated to open in late 2022.
The Falcon's Beyond plan has been developed in two phases. Phase 1 includes the development of the Katmandu Park Punta Cana theme park. Phase 2 will add an entertainment, dining and retail destination.
As part of the investment plan, Meliá is set to renovate two of the Paradisus properties in Punta Cana, including a rebuild of its first resort in the destination, Paradisus Punta Cana. Major renovations have also been announced for Paradisus Palma Real. The company expects the renovations of existing hotels to be largely completed at the end of 2023. The new Paradisus Punta Cana will apply sustainable architectural criteria and native landscaping to minimize the negative impact its construction might have on the natural environment, with energy efficiency and both water and waste management included along with a circular economy and neutral emissions.
"Punta Cana is where our Paradisus by Meliá brand got started 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 with a destination resort that adds a new degree of luxury to a brand that is loved by some of the most discerning travelers in the world, providing exceptional experiences based on an all-inclusive luxury service, extraordinary locations and a sustainable and responsible management philosophy.”
"[$350 million] will be invested by Meliá together with Falcon's Beyond Global, an investment that will impact the region and the country," said Luis Abinader, president of the Dominican Republic. "This is the objective of this government, investments and employment opportunities in the Dominican Republic."