Karisma Hotels and Resorts revealed new resort concepts and destination developments to its top-producing agents at the 10th annual Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant (GIVC) Awards Sales and Marketing Forum, which was held Dec. 7 at El Dorado Royale Riviera Maya in Mexico. The event underscored the brand’s commitment to continued growth.
“It’s been 10 amazing years of us growing and evolving,” said Daniel Scheiman, senior business development manager for North America at Karisma Hotel and Resorts, who provided the attending GIVCs with a rundown of plans for the near future. “We keep spinning the wheel, and we understand that you are the force behind the wheel. One way we say thank you is to keep opening hotels.”
Here’s what advisors can expect from Karisma.
Expansions in the Dominican Republic
By fall 2019, Karisma will open new properties from three Karisma brands — El Dorado, Casitas and Generations — next door to one another in the up-and-coming luxury destination of Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. Scheiman cited Cap Cana’s convenient 12-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport and the region’s position on the Caribbean Sea as particular points of attraction, adding that every suite at the new properties will have an ocean view. This will be the first time the El Dorado brand will be venturing outside Mexico.
New Village Next to Generations Riviera Maya
The company debuted a new jungle-style cottage concept, Xolumado Inspiration Village, to be built next door to Generations Riviera Maya. The addition will feature 15 cottages, appealing to a target market of wellness travelers, who will also be able to enjoy amenities at the neighboring El Dorado Royale, Casitas and Generations properties.
Margaritaville to Go All-Inclusive
Karisma will be opening its first Margaritaville hotel in the Riviera Maya region in 2019; the 355-suite all-inclusive beach resort will embody the laid-back brand’s style. Designed with a casual luxury concept in mind, Margaritaville Riviera Maya will feature swim-up options, a Sky Wedding location and a state-of-the-art ballroom. Perhaps most impressive is the brand’s new dining options: a JWB Steakhouse and Landshark Restaurant Brewery (with a flip-flops-and-swimsuit dress code), which will make up two of the property’s six eateries. A bar concept, License to Chill, is in development, as well as a new market called Joe’s Merchant, which will give guests the ability to stock their own minibars with drinks and snacks.
Nickelodeon Coming to Riviera Maya
A new all-suite Nickelodeon resort will be constructed next to Generations Riviera Maya in 2019, along with the largest waterpark in the region, which will have nine waterslides. In addition to offering all guests butler service and ocean views, every suite will also have either a swim-up or infinity pool configuration. Families will appreciate that each of the resort’s 272 suites will also be connecting rooms accommodating up to two adults and three children. Four villas, including two Pineapple Villas, will also be on property, and in response to the popularity of the Ninja Turtles brand, one will be in the shape of a turtle shell. Guests will also have their pick of eight restaurants, which will all be part of the Gourmet Inclusive program.
New Spots in Montenegro
Scheiman indicated a few new developments across the pond in Montenegro, including the opening of the 257-suite, four-restaurant Holiday Villages product in the Ulcinj region, which will feature the country’s first swim-up suites. The Allure Hotels brand will also be expanding in Montenegro, with a new property, Allure Palazzi, coming to Dobrota in 2018.
Huatulco Still in the Works
Plans to break ground in Huatulco, Mexico, remain in place, with Karisma’s upcoming El Dorado and Generations Huatulco properties. A new Nickelodeon resort is expected as early as summer 2019.
New in Baja
In addition to newbuilds, Scheiman also announced that a new hotel product — El Cielo’s Vineyard, Villas and Spa by Karisma — in Baja California’s Villa de Guadalupe will be available to GIVC agents for booking in 2018.
The Details
Karisma Hotels and Resorts
www.karismahotels.com