By the Caribbean Journal staff

Development firm Profusion Group is planning a $100 million expansion of Wyndham’s La Quinta brand across the Dominican Republic.

The plan is to develop a portfolio of eight hotel projects across the Dominican Republic, set in four tourism zones: Punta Cana, La Romana, Boca Chica and greater Santo Domingo.

Profusion Group has committed to a $100 million capital investment for the expansion push, according to a spokesperson for the company.

“The growing need for domestic tourism options for Dominicans, the island’s expanding middle class, and the unattended national market-led Profusion Group to enter this agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts,” said Edward De Valle, CEO of Profusion Group. “My personal admiration for Dominicans and their admirable work ethic, the opportunity to contribute to the economy through domestic tourism, the creation of the thousand-plus jobs that this project will provide, and the country’s stunning sun-drenched beaches and thriving gastronomy scene were key factors of inspiration for me.”

The development pipeline includes a rollout of the eight hotels over a five-year time frame, with the first phase consisting of four properties set to launch in 2021.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts paid nearly $2 billion to acquire La Quinta’s massive hotel portfolio in 2018.

It’s the latest step in the Caribbean for the hotel giant, which also plans several hotels in the Caribbean including a luxury hotel in Nevis, a new Wyndham in Belize and a historic resort’s rebirth in Barbados.

The new Wyndham Candelero in Puerto Rico.

Earlier this year, the Wyndham brand expanded in Puerto Rico with the relaunch of the Candelero Beach Resort. (Wyndham also has in its umbrella the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar resort). 

Wyndham’s global portfolio features 9,157 hotels, along with five existing resorts in the Dominican Republic under the Viva Wyndham brand.

— CJ