SANTIAGO. – They mark the path of leadership in the northern region of the country. They are recognized for breaking paradigms through the experience accumulated during years of work.

Founders, business leaders, politicians and philanthropists gather at Mercado Women Power Lunch: The Value of Experience, in an intimate gathering to share and celebrate the impact of the influence of a group of women who have proven that success has no age limit.

SANTIAGO. – The Cibao International Airport, the Santiago Center entertainment and hospitality mall, the Hodelpa Hotels & Resorts chain, the La Aurora Cigar Factory, the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago HOMS, the Santiago Hotel Association ASHORESA, Hotel Matum and the Clúster Santiago Destino Turístico, showed the strengths and dynamism that Santiago offers with its attractions, as well as the climate of confidence and security for investment that the city offers.

During the two days of the fair, international operators from different markets visited the stand of Destino Santiago where they were able to appreciate and learn about its attractive cultural, health tourism, gastronomy, ecotourism and its experiential tourism proposals, which captivated their attention.

In addition, the participants learned about the hotel offerings of the Heart of the City, which reflects the growing interest and increased demand for its attractions.

The executives informed that the Hodelpa Hotels & Resorts chain, one of the most prestigious in the country, has been the most traditional investor in the hotel sector in the city for the last three decades with three properties in the Heart City. Part of the hotel tradition in Santiago has also been the Hotel Matún in the monumental zone.

Also, the city of Santiago has one of the most important air terminals, the one that occupies the third place in passenger mobility in the country, the Cibao International Airport where thousands of visitors circulate.

PUERTO PLATA. – The Hodelpa hotel chain presented "Xanadú Resort & Residences by Hodelpa", its new tourism real estate project, and the summer offers of its Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata brand.

The information was offered by Jessica Aja, marketing director of the Hodelpa chain, at a breakfast for travel agents and tour operators at the Expoturismo 2022 fair, the main activity to promote travel and tourism in the northern region of the country, held at the Convention Center of the Hodelpa Gran Almirante hotel.

He explained that the Xanadu Resort & Residences by Hodelpa project will be ready by March 2023. They will be apartments and duplexes integrated with nature and the environment, located in Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata, on the beachfront.

He highlighted the project's facilities, which include different types of apartments and "its proximity to airports, theme parks, the city center and the cruise port". The project will have unique features within a complex such as 4 main pools and 7 private pools in exclusive buildings, more than 300 meters of beach, bar, gardens, cafe, gym, event hall, among other facilities, he said.

Santo Domingo. – Hodelpa Hotels restarts “Fun Summer” and entertains children from Hogar Doña Chucha and Hodelpa Garden Suites.

Hodelpa Hotels ratified its social commitment to create “Memorable Experiences with Love”, restarting its “Fun Summer” with two activities, for children from the Casa Hogar Doña Chucha and for the children of the employees of the Juan Dolio Garden Suites.

With the activities, which they have been carrying out for two years, the children of 22 employees of the Hodelpa Garden Suites, in Juan Dolio, were honored; and 23 children and adolescents from the Casa Hogar Doña Chucha, in the National District.

During the recent activities, Hodelpa Hotels employees and their children enjoyed clowns, inflatable, recreational and traditional games, and face painting. The same treat occurred with the 23 children between the ages of 5 and 10 at the Hogar Doña Chucha.

Hodelpa's corporate office carried out activities to promote social service among its associates, and develop among them special social skills "motivating sensitivity towards low-income people".

This event shows the fundamental role that the family plays in the life of each one of Hodelpa's collaborators; a commitment to the personal well-being of our associates to improve their personal balance as a strong support system for them.

SANTO DOMINGO. –The Hodelpa hotel chain Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando will start implementing the Biodiversity Check Tourism tool, which will lead to the voluntary application of measures aimed at integrating biodiversity into business management, as part of its commitment to sustainability.

This tool will be used for the first time in the Dominican Republic in the city of Santo Domingo, following the signing of an agreement between Hodelpa and the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ). In addition, the hotel company began the process of applying this mechanism in its hotels Hodelpa Garden Suites in Juan Dolio and Emotions Puerto Plata. 

The Biodiversity Check tool for companies in Central America and the Dominican Republic was developed by the German Development Cooperation Agency, GIZ, and the NGO Global Nature Fund (GNF), based on the experience acquired with its use in Europe since 2012.

In providing the information, Hodelpa indicates that the tool caters to new trends in international markets, which are increasingly exerting pressure to ensure the use of biodiversity and ecosystem-friendly products and services.

"The tool can be applied by a professional with experience in the tourism sector, biodiversity and/or trained environmental management, because it is necessary to ensure that the recommendations proposed when finalizing the Biodiversity Check Turimos application, are technically and economically feasible, according to the need and reality of the company, and have emphasis on the issue of biodiversity," assured the GIZ representatives. 

They stated that with the application, companies can analyze the situation of impacts and risks related to biodiversity, in addition to offering objective recommendations and measures to be implemented in the short and medium term and integrate them into a biodiversity action plan within the framework of an environmental and/or quality management ecosystem.

Present at the signing of the agreement for Hodelpa were Yeine Durán, corporate manager of Sustainability and Quality; Ángel Hernández, vice president of operations; and José Hernández, manager of the Nicolás de Ovando hotel.

Representing GIZ were Svenja Paulino, director of the Biodiversity program and business director for Central America and the Dominican Republic, and Jaír Urriola, executive secretary of the Central American Commission for Environment and Development.

Benefits of the Biodiversity Check tool

Among the benefits for companies that use this tool are that it helps to guarantee the company's natural capital in the long term, contributes to better informed clients, improves the company's corporate image with the community and clients, and serves as a basis for compliance with environmental norms and legislation.

It is also an opportunity to position the company as a sustainable company in the market and serves as a basis for compliance with environmental standards and legislation.

SANTO DOMINGO. – Among the amenities and facilities offered by Hodelpa for sports tourism are locations close to the competition centers and properties adapted to the different lodging options demanded by the public.

In addition, Hodelpa has personnel specialized in sporting events, knowledgeable in the discipline and the needs required by the participants to guide their participation in the tournament, regardless of the socioeconomic segment of society of the guests.

The president of the National Tourism Awards, Luis Severino, explained that the award will be presented for the first time in the country and that its purpose is to honor successful experiences and best practices in tourism, while at the same time promoting a culture of excellence in the tourism industry, oriented towards quality and sustainability.

About recognition

"There are many tasks, and the pressures involved in the assembly, but we have worked hard together with Alejandro Castillo, general manager of the Senator Puerto Plata Hotel, to make the awards a memorable one," he said.

The company, AM Creaciones Acrílicas, leader in the manufacture of acrylic articles and in the creation of recognition plaques, is in charge of the design and manufacture of each of the awards.

PUERTO PLATA. – The Hodelpa chain is betting on sports tourism to offer its guests a comfortable, entertaining and fun experience, with the celebration of the next Xanadu Golf Cup, II Hodelpa Couples Golf Circuit, to be held from October 7 to 9, 2022 at the Playa Dorada Golf Course in the Playa Dorada complex.

The Xanadu Golf Cup will be played in the Best Ball modality in pairs, in two rounds, where the winning pair will have as a prize the representation of the Dominican Republic in the final of the Internationals Pairs.

This golf event will be held in Andalusia, Spain from November 17 to 21, where the winners of the Xanadu Golf Cup will attend with all expenses for airfare, lodging and participation in the tournament covered.

Sports facilities 

As a novelty of the tournament, Hodelpa informs that after the first round of competition, on Friday, there will be a welcome cocktail for the participants, sponsored by ProCigar, with a tasting of rums and cigars, and will conclude on Saturday with an awards party on the beach, in its new Xanadu by Hodelpa facility, in Playa Dorada.

Unlike other cups, Hodelpa gives golf a social character in alliance with the Internationals Pairs Organization, to offer an experience where participants enjoy a different weekend, with a sporting spirit to emerge victorious in a good fight.

We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and collaborating brands that will make this great experience possible: Constructora Morrobel, Banreservas, Sentinel Seguros, Banco Caribe, MAPFRE Salud ARS, Avis Rent a Car, ProCigar, and United Brands.

Among the amenities and facilities offered by Hodelpa for sports tourism are locations close to the competition centers and properties adapted to the different lodging options demanded by the public.

In addition, Hodelpa has personnel specialized in sporting events, knowledgeable in the discipline and the needs required by participants to guide their participation in the tournament, regardless of the socioeconomic segment of society of the guests.

SANTIAGO. – With the participation of more than 200 of its employees, leaders and executives, the Hodelpa hotel chain held the "Transformation Agent 2022 Workshop", which aims to promote the spirit of integration and teamwork of all its associates.

The annual activity for collaborators counted with the participation of the First Lady of the Republic, Mrs. Raquel Arbaje, as guest of honor, the workshop was held at the Hodelpa Gran Almirante Hotel, in Santiago de los Caballeros.

The workshop was offered by Ginny Jacobo, coach, trainer and international speaker with more than 20 years of experience supporting professionals, executives, entrepreneurs and business people and their collaborators in the process of learning and achieving their goals, who addressed the topic "How to be an agent of transformation, both at work and personally".

"The leader who embraces transformation is a good leader, but the leader who becomes an agent of transformation is essential for an organization, so the key is to be aware of this difference and take action," said Jacobo when introducing the activity. 

Jacobo indicated that "through our training, with methodologies and tools used in the best global leadership schools, we provide the individual with the tools to discover and develop their strengths and capabilities, supporting them in the continuous search for excellence in their environment and constant growth".

He assured that it is part of his mission to accompany individuals to discover their own resources and strengths in order to establish and achieve their life objectives.

PUERTO PLATA. –The Hodelpa Group began the development of the Xanadú Resort & Residences real estate project, in the exclusive Playa Dorada complex in Puerto Plata, on a 35,000 square meter site with an investment of US$36 million, the only project in the area surrounded by two impressive beaches, with a view to being ready by March 2023.

With the new investment in Xanadu Resort & Residences, the hotel group assures that it "reaffirms its confidence in Puerto Plata and in the Dominican Republic's real estate and tourism industry," as the project will be generating 100 permanent jobs when it begins operations.

"The country's beautiful beaches are the perfect place for those seeking tranquility and access to an ideal vacation destination, such is the case of the exclusive Playa Dorada complex in Puerto Plata, with its magnificent golf course, lakes and gardens, golden sand and warm waters," Hodelpa executives point out.

Currently, 90% of the apartments in the complex have been sold, and the last phase of the project has been opened, which will be built by TE-EX Architects, and will have several buildings with units from 33mts2 to 153mts2, with bedroom, bathroom, living area and equipped kitchen. Each building will have an elevator, parking, beach, pool or garden view.

Xanadu Resort & Residences will offer an attractive range of facilities and services for family fun, such as: restaurant, lounge bar, gardens, assigned parking, 24-hour security, playgrounds, elevators in each building, concierge, beach gazebo, power plant and 7 private pools in exclusive buildings.

Also, more than 300mts of beach, social area, cistern, surveillance system, bowling alley, tennis court, gym, playground, massage center, event room, one coffe shop, wi-fi in common areas and common laundry area.

Owners at the new Xanadu Resort & Residences complex will have access and special discounts in bars and specialized restaurants at Emotions Puerto Plata Resort, such as Orégano Dominican Fusion; the Italian restaurant Amaci, the Mexican Lolita, the seafood grill Bígaro, and the exclusive Evolutions Spa.

PUERTO PLATA. – César Rodríguez and Enrique Rodríguez, with 87 points, were the winners of the Xanadú Golf Cup, II Hodelpa Couples Golf Circuit, held from October 7 to 9, 2022 at the Playa Dorada Golf Course in the Playa Dorada complex.

Xanadu Golf Cup

The Xanadu Golf Cup is a bet on sports tourism of the Hodelpa hotel chain, in which the winners will represent the Dominican Republic in the final of the International Pairs to be held in Andalusia, Spain from November 14 to 18, with all expenses for airfare, lodging and participation in the tournament covered. 

The sporting event was held in the BestBall modality in pairs, with two rounds, in which the competitors faced a tight final, resulting as runners-up the couple formed by Annie Gagnon and Frank Sanchez, with 86 points. 

Other special mentions were Luis Javier Garcia with the most accurate drive on Hole 8 and Carlos Jimenez with the flag approach on Hole 12.

Unlike other cups, Hodelpa gives golf a competitive character with the alliance of International Pairs, to offer an experience where the participants enjoyed a different weekend, with a sporting spirit in a good and social way at the same time.

The sporting event

The competition began with a first round on Friday, to close the evening with a cocktail party to welcome the participants, sponsored by Procigar, where the players enjoyed a tasting of rums and cigars.

The second round was held on Saturday, concluding with an awards party on the beach of the Emotions By Hodelpa Puerto Plata hotel, where the players were awarded prizes and received special gifts for their participation.

Puerto Plata. –As part of its corporate commitment to sustainability, Hodelpa, in alliance with the group Anillo Verde, held a cleanup day at Bergantín beach in Puerto Plata, in which 530 bags of waste were collected: 400 plastic, 50 foam, 50 glass bags and 30 tin and metal bags.

Prior to the activity, Hodelpa provided a room and audiovisual equipment to Anillo Verde, made up of Environmental Education of Santiago and the Supérate program, to give orientation talks to the participating collaborators on the importance of keeping the beach areas clean, and to hold a press conference to announce the activities.

Bélgica Lagombra, Hodelpa's Human Resources manager, indicated that "our actions should lead to recovering part of the impact that we could generate with our tourism activity, so we develop initiatives collaborating with beach cleanups to improve our coasts, as an example of environmental education for the community and our collaborators".

He said that all the participating entities did excellent teamwork, with children from two schools in Santiago standing out among the collaborators "to set an example because they are the ones who will follow these efforts of concern and actions to protect the environment".

"It is amazing to be part of these activities, to participate to raise awareness of the importance of caring for our resources, biodiversity to enjoy them and leave a good legacy to our future generations," said Lagombra.

SANTIAGO. -To provide guests with a better culinary experience during their stay in Santiago de los Caballeros, the Hodelpa hotel chain and the Noah Group announced a strategic alliance to jointly promote fine dining in the city of Corazón.

This alliance seeks to offer a greater variety of gastronomic and entertainment options when staying at the Hodelpa hotels located in Santiago: Hodelpa Gran Almirante, Hodelpa Garden Court and Hodelpa Centro Plaza.

Through five Noah Group restaurants located in Santiago: Noah, (international cuisine); La Taberna de Pepe, (international cuisine); KGB Kitchen Gallery Bistro, (international cuisine); La Trattoria de Claudio, (Italian cuisine) and Kyoto, (international and Asian cuisine); the two groups have designed new and exclusive experiences for their guests.

Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of benefits, upon reservation from their hotels or upon presentation of proof of lodging, such as preferential treatment, special discounts, complimentary amenities, transfers to their restaurant for groups of eight people or more, among other benefits. 

Leveraging the experience of both brands, the alliance will help create unique culinary and comfort experiences, reinforcing the creativity, sustainability and development of their teams. Joint efforts in these areas will provide synergies for the two brands, allowing them to further develop their high-prestige concept.

"Both organizations highlight the prestige of two brands that are of national pride, offering high quality service and personalized details that conquer their customers," said Angel Hernandez, vice president of Hodelpa Hotels.

SANTIAGO. –To provide guests with a better culinary experience during their stay in Santiago de los Caballeros, the Hodelpa hotel chain and the Noah Group announced a strategic alliance to jointly promote fine dining in the city of Corazón.

This alliance seeks to offer a greater variety of gastronomic and entertainment options when staying at the Hodelpa hotels located in Santiago: Hodelpa Gran Almirante, Hodelpa Garden Court and Hodelpa Centro Plaza.

Through five Noah Group restaurants located in Santiago: Noah, (international cuisine); La Taberna de Pepe, (international cuisine); KGB Kitchen Gallery Bistro, (international cuisine); La Trattoria de Claudio, (Italian cuisine) and Kyoto, (international and Asian cuisine); the two groups have designed new and exclusive experiences for their guests.

Guests will be able to enjoy a variety of benefits, upon reservation from their hotels or upon presentation of proof of lodging, such as preferential treatment, special discounts, complimentary amenities, transfers to their restaurant for groups of eight people or more, among other benefits. 

Leveraging the experience of both brands, the alliance will help create unique culinary and comfort experiences, reinforcing the creativity, sustainability and development of their teams. Joint efforts in these areas will provide synergies for the two brands, allowing them to further develop their high-prestige concept.

"Both organizations highlight the prestige of two brands that are of national pride, offering high quality service and personalized details that conquer their customers," said Angel Hernandez, vice president of Hodelpa Hotels.

To provide a high-level experience, the chain's staff has been trained, according to the tastes and needs of our customers, to guide them to choose the best option among those available, added Hernandez.

The managing director of Grupo Noah, Miguel Olavarrieta, emphasized that this strategic alliance will provide an integral experience for residents and visitors to the city of Santiago, combining premium gastronomy with a memorable stay.

In addition to this alliance, they have also joined the gastronomic event SDQ Gastronómico, which this year will be held for the first time in the city of Santiago, the Restaurant Week, where different restaurants in the city will be offering a special menu at a unique price. The Hodelpa Gran Almirante Hotel will be participating in this activity with a special menu available until November 20.

About Hodelpa

Founded in the early 90's, HODELPA Hotels is one of the leading hotel companies in the Dominican Republic, headed by tourism entrepreneur Edmundo Aja. It is currently one of the chains with the largest presence in the country, with facilities in 4 different destinations: Santiago, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo and Juan Dolio.

Puerto Plata. –Hodelpa Group is currently the only Dominican company in the tourism sector that is investing in the development of important projects in the province of Puerto Plata.

According to data provided by the company, in the so-called "Bride of the Atlantic" it is developing a tourist residential complex in the emblematic Playa Dorada complex, located 10 minutes from the city's central park.

Hodelpa Hotels is the hotel group with the largest presence of Dominican capital, which is also preparing to launch a tourism project in the community of Las Galeras, Samaná, locally and internationally renowned for the quality of its beaches and its coconut tree landscapes.

In Playa Dorada, the Hodelpa Group is developing the Xanadu Resort & Residences tourist real estate project, with 220 apartments occupying 35 thousand square meters.

The real estate complex will be finished in the first four months of next year, but it is the main tourist real estate novelty in Puerto Plata.

For this reason, it has generated interest and at the beginning of November 90% of the units have already been sold to Dominicans and foreigners. The projected investment is US$36 million.

In the Playa Dorada complex, the Hodelpa Group also has the Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata hotel, the first to open under its "Emotions" brand, which appears on the list of the 10 most recognized establishments on the North Coast.

The establishment has served as an additional attraction for purchasers of the Xanadu Resort & Residences, because the owners of its apartments will have access and discounts at that establishment, which offers specialty bars and restaurants (Italian, Mexican, Dominican and seafood cuisine).

Playa Dorada also offers one of the best beaches in Puerto Plata, and the advantage of its proximity to all the attractions of the area and the provincial capital, as well as Sosúa and Cabarete, two tourist cities.

In the case of Cabarete, it is recognized as the mecca of wind water sports in the Caribbean.

In addition to this, the golf course of the complex has the signature of the famous designer, Mr. Robert Trent Jones.

Another point in favor of Xanadu Resort & Residences is the credibility projected by the Hodelpa Group, due to the presence of its tourism investments in Santiago, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo and Juan Dolio.

Hodelpa's hotels total 1,600 rooms. In Puerto Plata there is the Emotions by Hodelpa Puerto Plata (454 rooms); in Santiago the Hodelpa Gran Almirante (155 rooms), Hodelpa Centro Plaza (84 rooms) and Hodelpa Garden Court (135 rooms). Santo Domingo, the Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando (91 rooms), Hodelpa Caribe Colonial (52) and Novus Plaza Hodelpa (96 rooms); and in Juan Dolio Emotions by Hodelpa Juan Dolio (409 rooms); and Hodelpa Garden Suites (124 rooms).

Santiago. – Focused on continuing to be a benchmark in terms of quality and food safety, Hodelpa Hotels & Resorts conducted a Servsafe certification training for personnel involved in food handling at its hotels.

The initiative is part of the actions carried out to ensure the freshness and safety of the food served in its hotels.

The training, which took place on May 25 and 26 at the Hodelpa Garden Court, was attended by chefs, cooks, managers, kitchen supervisors and those in charge of the company's hygiene program, among others.

The training included topics on how to minimize the risk of foodborne illness and the causes that lead to it. As well as the key points of food safety.

In addition, how to establish systems for receiving, storing, preparing, cooking, holding, serving, cooling and reheating food safely and how to establish cleaning, sanitation and pest control programs.