While Punta Cana and its wide array of all-inclusives
remains a top draw for tourists, a region just west of it is gaining interest
from tourists and resorts.
Note: This story first appeared in Travel Weekly
Some 90 minutes west of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic,
separated by highway roads that cut through fields of bananas and grazing
cattle, lies Miches. It’s a rural region known for its unspoiled,
palm-tree-lined beaches, nature preserves such as Salto de La Jalda (the
highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic), Lagunas Redonda y Limon Natural
Scientific Reserve and the hilltop Montana Redona. Historically, it’s a region
whose population mainly consists of farmers and fishermen. Leatherback turtles
come to shore every year to lay eggs, and humpback whales pay migratory visits
early in the year. They’ll soon to have plenty of human company.
Some saw that Miches could one day serve as a sustainable
tourism destination. The regional nonprofit Fundacion Tropicalia, established
in 2008 by Tropicalia (the sustainable tourism and real estate development firm
of Cisneros Real Estate) has promoted socio-economic and environmental
development in Miches through various initiatives.
The trailblazer
Club Med took the first step into Miches, opening the Club
Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in 2019. The brand had already found success in its
Punta Cana location, and the Dominican government encouraged Club Med to
explore the idea of opening a Miches property.
“The region’s lush landscapes, pristine beaches and vibrant
local culture perfectly aligned with Club Med’s vision of offering a sanctuary
that combines relaxation with adventure,” said Carolyne Doyon, president and
CEO, Club Med North America and the Caribbean.
Playa Esmeralda beach in the Dominican Republic (Photo credit: Omar Perez)
Initially, there were considerations regarding
infrastructure and accessibility, as Miches was a relatively undeveloped area,
Doyon said. However, the highway connecting Punta Cana to Miches significantly
improved accessibility and mitigated these initial challenges.
“To address these concerns, we invested in building and
developing the necessary infrastructure and worked closely with the government
to enhance connectivity,” she said. “Sustainability was also key, both during
construction or day-to-day operations, as was hiring within the community.”
Club Med teamed with a local organization to establish a training center and
hired more than 900 locals.
Following the leader
Club Med was the first, but it will soon have a lot of
company.
Upcoming resorts include the December opening of Viva Miches
by Wyndham, a Trademark All-Inclusive Resort; the Marriott Miches Beach (a
conversion of the Sunrise Miches Beach that is slated to debut in the first
quarter of 2025 and will be the brand’s first all-inclusive in the Dominican
Republic); Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton on February
1; and two Hyatt Inclusive Collection properties: the adults-only Secrets Playa
Esmeralda Resort & Spa and the family friendly Dreams Playa Esmeralda, both
slated for April openings.
Slated for a 2026 opening, the Four Seasons Resort and
Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia (owned by the Cisnero family) will
sit along 60 acres of beachfront on Samana Bay’s southern coast.
Simon Suarez, vice president of Institutional Relations and
Projects of Grupo Puntacana in the Dominican Republic, said public and private
initiatives introduced in 2012 spurred the region’s tourism growth. (The
introduction of the highway between Miches and Punta Cana in 2015 also helped
make Miches more accessible). After receiving tweaking and revising, the
initiatives took hold around 2018 and ever since have launched unprecedented
growth in the area, Suarez said.
It’s unexplored, it’s off-the-beaten path, it’s clean and pure. It’s truly a new destination in the Dominican Republic.
Erika Sordo
Miches is an extension of the Punta Cana region and offers “experiences
that are not in Punta Cana, and it diversifies the [tourism] product in the
market,” said Suarez, whose past stints include serving as president of the
Dominican Republic’s Hotel and Tourism Association, and as a hotelier. He also
envisions a future where resorts and other tourism offerings will span all the
way between Punta Cana and Miches.
Each resort development project requires an environmental
impact study, carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment
and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic. Projects must adhere to
environmental protection mandates, one of which is the required use of
appropriate lighting for sea turtle nesting.
“Our objective is to ensure that the region’s immense
potential is harnessed responsibly, creating a competitive tourism offering
that meets the environmental and social inclusion demands of today's travelers,”
said Gustavo Roman, executive director of the Association of Hotels and Tourism
El Seibo-Miches (ProMiches). “We have developed a comprehensive tourism
development plan for Miches, which we are implementing in partnership with the
Dominican government, local authorities and community leaders.”
Erika Sordo, Viva Resorts by Wyndham’s corporate director of
marketing and public relations, said the untouched nature of the Miches region
will lure guests who seek a pristine, authentic stay.
“It’s unexplored, it’s off-the-beaten path, it’s clean and
pure," Sordo said. “It’s truly a new destination in the Dominican
Republic.”
Carolyne Doyon could not agree more.
“The future of tourism in Miches looks
promising,” Doyon said. “As the region continues to develop, it is set to
become a significant destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and
unique experiences.”