Work begins on the Yanuna mega tourism project in Punta Macao
The initial phase includes The Ritz-Carlton Yanuna, planned as the brand's first hotel in the Dominican Republic, and Casa Mirayá, a Luxury Collection Hotel, two properties under Marriott International's portfolio brands, with differentiated hospitality offerings that will add up to 548 rooms.
Punta Macao, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic.- The long-awaited day finally arrived. Adhering to the suggested dress code, most of the guests arrived wearing impeccable guayaberas and white outfits, while others opted for delicate pastel shades, creating an image of freshness and distinction perfectly suited to the occasion.
No detail was spared for the occasion. Under a huge tent, an air-conditioned event hall was recreated, finely decorated with beige and white furniture complemented by plants, enormous lamps, and floral arrangements designed with marine elements, foliage, and a variety of tropical flowers that gave the place a warm Caribbean atmosphere.
LThe jewel in the crown was the panoramic view from the outside. Its enjoyment was made possible by the gigantic transparent "walls," which invited those present to be enraptured by the line where the sea and sky intertwined their blue garments.
Among those in attendance in the front row were the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, and the Minister of Tourism, David Collado.
Ministers from other government agencies also attended, as well as authorities from the eastern region, local hotel owners, national and international investors, friends, and associates. After midday, the attendees gathered in front of the stage, where the executives welcomed them and thanked them for joining them on such an important occasion.
CThe event began with the interpretation of the National Anthem, performed by the young Nabila Isaías, where the details of the start of the work on the first stage of the Yanuna luxury tourist and residential megaproject, located in the Punta Macao area, in Punta Cana, La Altagracia province, were shared with great enthusiasm.
“Yanuna was born from a deep conviction in what the Dominican Republic can offer the world. We are more than just sun and sand. That's why we want to contribute to the evolution of our tourism with a community that combines the richness of this land, international standards of excellence, and our unique way of welcoming and caring for our visitors. It's a vision shared by investors and employees, driven by 100% Dominican capital, and committed to generating lasting value for the country,” explained Yamil E. Isaías, Chairman of the Board of Yanuna and representative of the Pioneer II Partnership Development Fund investment.
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Javier Peña, Alicia de Peña and Christian Diez.
Ian Peña and Mari Carmen Carrero.
Francisco Torres and Ángela Suazo.
Celio Mercedes, Luis Rodríguez and Frank Elías Rainieri.
Tania Ramírez and Jean Carlos Ferreiras.
Jordan Estévez and Richard Stepan.
Hector Incháustegui, Carlos Medrano and Alberto Rodríguez.
Jorge González, Kristel Izquierdo, Xiomell Villanueva and Luis Delgado.
Loraine Alma, Nabila Isaías, Amanda Fernández and Ana García.
Socrates Perez, Diogenes Garcia and Diogenes Garcia Jr.
Humberto Sangiovanni, Luis Rodríguez, Jason Sees and Carl Carlson.
Rosa Castillo de Reynoso and Ana Margarita Soto.
Aniel Barros, Deborah Karter and Sarah López Jorge.
Jenny Mella and Larimar Fiallo.
EThis property boasts a combination of natural attributes that form the starting point of the project. The beachfront, the vegetation, and the variations in the terrain offer different ways of relating to the landscape and allow for complementary experiences within the same community, explained Isaías.
He said that Yanuna's planning stems from recognizing this diversity. The location of its components, the architecture, and the meeting spaces seek to respond to the character of the territory, preserve its identity, and make nature a daily presence in the experience of those who visit and live there.
According to the executive, the development takes advantage of a previously developed site and incorporates existing infrastructure to optimize new work and minimize earthmoving. These measures are part of a sustainable management approach that integrates environmental stewardship, economic viability, and engagement with surrounding communities.
He also reported that the initial stage includes The Ritz-Carlton Yanuna, planned as the brand's first hotel in the Dominican Republic, and Casa Mirayá, a Luxury Collection Hotel, two properties under brands in Marriott International's portfolio, with differentiated hospitality offerings.
The Ritz-Carlton Yanuna will focus on personalized service, privacy, and well-being. Casa Mirayá will offer an experience linked to the region's identity, culture, and the discovery of the destination, he stated.
DFor his part, Javier Tejada, president of the Board of The Ritz-Carlton Yanuna and Casa Mirayá, a Luxury Collection Hotel, highlighted that Yanuna responds to the evolution of international tourism expectations and the opportunity to continue diversifying the Dominican offer.
“With Yanuna we go beyond the conventional tourism concept to bring to life a new destination of hospitality and luxury, where architecture, nature, privacy and service are integrated into a carefully conceived proposal with a long-term vision.”.
AHe also highlighted that the participation of internationally renowned brands will contribute to raising the standards of the hotel offering and strengthening the country's competitiveness in higher value-added tourism segments.
This commitment to welcoming, caring for, and making visitors feel at home will be a central part of Yanuna's identity, she affirmed. The proposal seeks to celebrate Dominican hospitality and give it expression in the service, cuisine, spaces, and experiences of the destination.
Yanuna mega tourism project. Image generated with AI.
Yanuna aspires to become a driver of quality employment for Punta Macao and the surrounding area, both during construction (2,500 jobs) and in the operation of its various components (1,600 positions). Its vision includes promoting the training and ongoing development of local talent to meet the demands of luxury service and experiences. The goal is for the destination's growth to create opportunities for learning, specialization, and professional development, and to allow for career paths linked to an internationally recognized industry.