By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand is coming to the Dominican Republic.

Karisma Hotels is planning a major new expansion in the Dominican Republic, highlighted by a new Margaritaville all-inclusive project in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina announced this week.

Karisma is also developing El Dorado and Sensimar-branded resorts, with a total planned investment of $300 million in the destination, according to the government.

The new Margaritaville will begin construction in 2018, with a projected total of 350 rooms and a family-friendly profile.

The new Margaritaville Dominican Republic all inclusive comes after Karisma and Margaritaville announced a partnership at the beginning of 2017 to develop a portfolio of all-inclusive properties called Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience by Karisma, a push that is likely to extend around the Caribbean.

“Our partnership with Margaritaville, an esteemed brand filled with flavor, fun, and a likeminded desire to delight travelers with unforgettable vacation experiences, allows us to introduce a collection of new casual luxury resorts set in stunning tropical destinations,” said Mandy Chomat, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive representative of Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in a statement after finalizing the partnership.

It would be the second Margaritaville-branded resort in the Caribbean, joining the Cayman Islands’ Margaritaville that opened earlier this year. (Karisma is not affiliated with that property, which is not all-inclusive.)