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Hard Rock Resort & Casino set to Rock Hard this winter in Dominican Republic

Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Rolling Out the Celebrities for Grand Opening!

And YOU are Invited!

Don’t Miss Out on
Rock and Roll History

GRAND OPENING WEEK: JANUARY 26-30‚ 2011.

Revel in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: the Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana‚ the first and only all-inclusive Hard Rock resort. And since this is a Hard Rock‚ you know this isn’t going to be just any ordinary old hotel opening. You will be treated to:

• Featured Performance by the Gipsy Kings on January 29‚ 2011

• Grand Opening Entertainment

• Killer Parties

• Outrageous Special Events

• Opportunities to Rub Elbows with Celebrities

And to make things rock even harder‚ book by 12/31/10‚ and receive $700 in credit* toward airfare PLUS $1‚500 in Resort Credit**‚ good for extras like spa treatments‚ greens fees‚ casino gaming‚ tours‚ room upgrades and more.

When it comes time to decide on vacation options, it pays to have "A friend....in the travel business" - and when it comes time to book and you don't want to pay too much, it REALLY pays to know EZTravelpad

Travel Pulse interviews AMResort's Alex Zozaya

Travel Pulse is a daily news digest available to Travel Consultants (agents). Travel Pulse is produced by Performance Media Group, a publishing company(both electronic and print)that focuses on the business of travel, and does a fantastic job of it.

The following is an interview with Alex Zozaya, the President of AMResorts that was posted today on Travel Pulse- I thought it was noteworthy for a few reasons-

• The commitment to expansion shows that there are companies that believe in growth - even today
• The diversity of offerings might interest All-Inclusive Vacationers (we LOVE them!)
• The casual reader can get a sense of vacation destinations they may not have yet considered

I hope you enjoy-

Alex Zozaya, President, AMResorts

By Kerry Medina

Published on: August 27, 2010

Less than 10 years after entering the market AMResorts is making strides to reach the 10,000 room mark by 2012. Last year, the company reported more than $500 million in sales and total future investments exceeding $1.5 billon. In March, AMResorts announced a new $400 million development in the Dominican Republic. The project, “Gems at Cap Cana,” will be comprised of a four-resort complex consisting of the 200-suite Zoëtry Gems at Cap Cana, the 350-suite Secrets Gems at Cap Cana, the 350-suite Now Gems at Cap Cana, and the 200-suite Now Preferred Gems at Cap Cana. The company has already introduced its first two Now Resorts in Mexico and announced plans for two Puerto Vallarta properties, a $150 million project that will introduce the first Secrets and Now Resorts & Spas. In April, the company also unveiled a dedicated new website for travel agents, www.AMRagents.com. We spoke with Alex Zozaya, president of AMResorts, about the company’s aggressive growth strategies.

What are some future destinations where AMResorts is either currently planning new properties or simply would like to have a presence one day? In terms of destinations where we don’t have a presence yet, but are currently in negotiations, we’re looking mainly at Samana and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and in Mexico we are negotiating right now in Cozumel, Ixtapa and Manzanillo. We’re also looking at Turks & Caicos, Tobago, St. Thomas and Aruba. We’ve already signed a new 400-suite Dreams resort in Costa Rica, which will be the fourth country where we have a presence. It will be located north of Papagayo, about an hour away from the Liberia airport, near the border with Nicaragua and in an area adjacent to a national park. The area is called Santa Elena. We’re hoping to open the property before the end of 2012. We want to start construction before the end of 2010 and build in 20 months. Basically, we’re looking to grow further in Mexico and the Caribbean because that’s where U.S. travelers are a natural market. But we’re also looking at Hawaii, specifically the Big Island and Maui.

What prompted AMResorts to make such significant investments in destinations like the Dominican Republic? In Mexico and the Dominican Republic, we have the know-how and good relationships and strong distribution in the destinations, so we already have the infrastructure. The Dominican Republic is where we started our company. We’re investing significant money there and we have a long-term commitment to the destination. We want to bring a higher-end product to the country as well as higher-end customers who are currently going to other places in the Caribbean because they see the Dominican Republic as a high volume destination without a lot of luxury. I believe that perception has changed some, but it will change a lot more in the future. There’s opportunity to grow our higher-end brands and increase the number of American travelers who are going to other places in the Caribbean and Mexico, staying in the U.S. or going on cruise ships. I believe Mexico has the potential to double and triple the number of Americans going there every year. We’ve gone into new destinations within the country because investors recognize that we are doing very well and that we have a formula to reconvert properties that are underperforming. We already have 11 properties between Cancun and the Riviera Maya, but we could have 20. We can add even more value to those investments because the more units we have in a single destination, the more cost efficient we become, and that’s a strategy that’s naturally been growing with us. You would think that in these difficult times it wouldn’t be smart to increase supply. But there are projects that are going to happen with or without us, so I would rather be able to control the inventory and keep it under our platform rather than have our competition doing it.

Why did the company decide to launch Now Resorts & Spas in addition to Dreams Resorts & Spas? We already had too many Dreams and Secrets Resorts in certain locations. But there were some great opportunities with great hotels that could be converted to our brands, although we already had a strong presence with Dreams and Secrets. So we thought it was time to come up with a new brand that would enjoy a presence in a location where we had already established operations, distribution and infrastructure. We wanted a new brand with a different approach to the market so it won’t confuse the customer. Now Resorts are geared toward couples, weddings and families, but they are more lively, more colorful, more dynamic than Dreams Resorts. Now Resorts offer more activities because we’re trying to appeal to guests who are looking for a more activity-oriented vacation. In addition, Now Resorts have bigger and more sophisticated groups and convention facilities. The brand will enable us to have larger groups, not just the smaller, social groups that we have at Dreams and Secrets.

How is the newly relaunched Master Agent Program being received by travel agents? Travel agents are no longer looking to be an intermediary without having value and so our programs are very well regarded by them. We really give travel professionals the tools to become experts on our products in order to better sell the properties. These agents have a higher ratio of converting sales and can really add value. We still have more to do because our company is growing so fast and we want agents to be well informed of our new developments and have accurate information about them.

How much of a draw is Zoëtry’s wellness component for the brand’s guests? The main reasons guests go to Zoëtry Resorts are to disconnect, to relax and to rest. But the sophisticated customer is coming for the wellness part, the environmental aspect and to learn. They don’t want to be in one more place that they’ve already seen. They want to learn new things and have new experiences. That’s why we offer so many activities. But we’re not a nutrition center -- we serve alcohol. Our guests come to us because they want a small luxury hotel in a beautiful place and they can choose between us and the Mandarin Oriental, Orient Express and Four Seasons. But they choose Zoëtry because they want the wellness aspect without feeling guilty for indulging, as well as a commitment to the local community and to the local environment. There’s always something going on at Zoëtry for guests to entertain themselves: a yoga class, a tequila course or a cooking lesson, live music or kayaking. Zoëtry Resorts offer much more than a traditional luxury EP hotel and consumers have started to understand this convenience and value for money. It has nothing to price. Consumers understand that for the same amount of time and money, they can have a much better experience. And that’s what drives our growth.

Oh, and in case you're thinking, hey- I can save a little money by booking one of those resorts myself.... you can't. I guarantee you will save money by using EZTravelpad (and I can make that promise because I own EZTravelpad - "Your friends....in the travel business")

Top 5 Reasons to Make it a Destination Wedding

If a Marriage is a Journey, not a Destination - What is a Destination Wedding?

Destination Weddings up 400%

Destination Weddings, sometimes called a "Weddingmoon" continue to increase in popularity.
It's been a while now since Conde Nast reported that Destination Weddings were up 400%, and accounted for 16% of weddings planned. I don't have any reason to believe that the trend has reversed, and the reasons are many- a few of these reasons are....

Reduce Cost
    Costs can be reduced many ways, not the least of which is by the elimination of a "wedding planner". Resorts that offer destination wedding packages have staff dedicated specifically to insuring that your special day / vacation goes smoothly, and is everything you had hoped for. They are on-site pros, so you can rest assured they'll get it right.
    There is no need for table favors and keepsakes for... the friends of your 2nd cousin's boss - your guests will be the most special people in your life
    Many resorts that host Destination Weddings will offer discounted rates for the Bride and Groom if a certain number of rooms are booked - the savings can be VERY significant
    A more informal attire can save a bundle - check out Valentine's Promise for some less formal wedding attire, while still making it a special, once-in-a-lifetime event

Make it Even MORE Memorable
    What can be more memorable than tying the knot

photo courtesy if The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

on a beautiful Caribbean Beach, a cliff overlooking nature's best, a cruise ship, a fragrant tropical garden - you name it
    While I remember (vaguely) the traditional rehearsal dinner at the Elks lodge the night before my wedding, I am absolutely certain that i would remember it much better if it had been surrounded by Tiki-Torches on a Caribbean beach - if you know what i mean....

Extend the Celebration
    Who goes to a wedding and spends several days celebrating? Who wants 15 people in their house on the weekend of that special day? STRESS LOVERS - that's who.
If you are interested in reducing the stress for yourself, and your family - take the pressure OFF.
Enjoy a walk through the garden to the beach rather than riding in a limo through traffic....crowds, smog, honking horns...YUCK
    Luxury Villas are a great alternative - with many luxury villas situated in romantic locations across the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Hawaii & the South Pacific you can literally accommodate the entire wedding party under one roof (or on the same estate) at surprisingly affordable prices. Privacy, intimacy, luxury, affordability - an odd combination, but possible!
    Cruise ships or Spa Resorts are another great choice - select an all-inclusive in a hot-spot, or a spa resort off the beaten path, it's going to be more relaxed than a wedding at the church back home, with the reception at the VFW hall....or Country Club

Make if Fun
    A Destination Wedding can be held ANYWHERE. Maybe it's a luxury villa for the relaxation and privacy, maybe it's a cruise ship for the affordability and excitement, maybe it's a beach or a mountain pass, maybe it's Las Vegas...and all that goes with vegas - it's all up to YOU. It's about selecting the destination that will most appeal to you, your family & friends. It's about saving money, it's about creating memories, and it's about FUN
    While there are many wedding costs that can be eliminated, one of the least costly, but most important aspects of any wedding is the invitation.
Why not start the fun with a Hand Drawn Wedding Invitation that has been custom drawn, and consists of cartoon figures personalized - cartoons of YOU enjoying the wedding to come - check them out, they're fun - and look like this-

or this

For more traditional invitations, visit Valentine's Promise - they have what you need - even if it's a costly traditional wedding!

Getting it Right
I've been to Weddings, Bridal Shows, Bridal Shops, etc. I understand the work, cost, frustration, anxiety, and most of all - the decisions you practically get forced into by tradition.
Remember, there's nothing wrong with starting a new tradition!
EZTravelpad is here to help determine the best destination for YOU - but be careful...where you decide to go will most likely turn into the "Destination Anniversary" destination for years to come!

Top 25 things to do in The Caribbean (via Viator)

Top 25 things to do in the Caribbean

So you are wondering where to go, what to do?
Here is a great Top 25 List of things to do in the Caribbean.
This list is over at a great travel blog - Viator

What are some of the things on YOUR Top 25 list - that you don't see here?
I'll give you one for starters- Full Moon Party at Bomba Shack - Tortola, BVI

Discover what Columbus saw on his 1st day in The New World

There's a reason why The Dominican Republic keeps getting discovered

The Dominican Republic is consistently one of the top Caribbean vacation spots - and there's a reason for that - in fact there are several reasons.

• Beautiful Beaches
• Swaying Palms
• Thousands of All-inclusive rooms
• Water Sports
• Eco-tourism
• Wildlife (and not just at the disco)

The Dominican Republic has 7 international airports to serve the various resort areas including Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Samana, La Romana, Santo Domingo (the Capital) & Bahoruco.

Visitors are required to purchase a Tourist Card for $10 US dollars for each member of their party upon arrival. That seems affordable...

Punta Cana

Major resort properties including Club Med, Iberostar, Occidental Allegro, Secrets, Superclubs and Barceló brands can be found in and around the Punta Cana area, as well as the world-class Punta Cana Resort and Club.
Our Lady of Altagracia Basilica, an impressive and modern structure has been visited by various popes. Having replaced a church built in the 1500s, this is the site where the image of the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared in an orange tree, so there's that.

Punta Cana has just over a jillion rooms contained in MANY well developed properties - all cartering to the Caribbean tourist in search of the beautiful beaches of Eastern DR that stretch for miles.

La Romana

The Dominican love of baseball is apparent across the island. The Dominican Republic has produced such baseball greats as Pedro Martínez, Manny Ramirez, José Reyes, Vladimir Guererro & Sammy Sosa

For a true Dominican experience, visitors can check out a baseball game at the Francisco Michel Baseball Stadium at La Romana. Beyond baseball, and still in ther area around La Romana, an interesting couple of excursions include trips to explore two remarkable caves – Cueva Fun Fun and Cueva de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders), where highlights include glimpses of ancient art carved into the cave walls.

Santo Domingo - "The City of Firsts"

Besides being the capital, and center of commerce (as well as a home to about 1/3 of the total population of the country), Santo Domingo hosts a number of festivals each year including The Merengue Festival (a week-long celebration in late July/early August) and Carnival (same time as Mardi Gras - just before Lent)

Puerto Plata

For generations Caribbean travelers have been coming to Puerto Plata and the nearby areas of Sosúa and Cabarete to bask in the charm and beauty.


Named the Amber Coast because of the abundance of the semi-precious gem in the region, this is the area where Christopher Columbus landed during his first voyage to the New World.

A totally different New World - Ocean World marine theme park is a relatively recent additiona to the area. Visitors can interact and get up close and personal with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, birds, iguanas and even tigers. Ocean World is home to the world's largest dolphin lagoon as well as the world's first shark inter-action pool.

Damajagua Falls

is a series of 27 cascades near Puerto Plata. The currents can be strong so it is not recommended for children or weak swimmers. Swim, climb up narrow limestone canyons then jump or water-slide down. Water shoes are suggested because of the slippery conditions.

Samana

If you are among the growing population of Eco-tourists, or celebrating your honeymoon and long for a  quieter part of the Dominican Republic, this may be your spot. Treat yourself to a little whale-watching as Humpback Whales 

migrate here every winter. Retrace the steps of early pirates, or simply get away from the crowds and relax among various waterfalls and near-empty beaches.

Nearby, Rincón is an isolated three-mile-long beach that can be reached by boat from Las Galeras and is ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world's 10 best!

Over near Haiti

In the Southwestern portion of The Dominican Republic, near the Haitian border, visit Lake Enriguillo, which is 150 feet below sea level. Not only is this the lowest point in the Caribbean as well as the largest saltwater lake, the lake is also home to many American crocodiles, flamingos and other birds. Travel from the village of La Descubierta to a small island in the middle of the lake, Isla Cabritos, and check out the rhinoceros iguanas.

Ready for a little golf?

The Teeth of the Dog is a Pete Dye designed course located at the Casa de Campo Resort, and has been ranked as the #1 course in the Caribbean

You say you REALLY have your sport up?

How about Kayaking class II & IV rapids - or -Windsurfing - or - Kiteboarding - or -Spelunking?

Birdwatching? Maybe it's time you meet some of the 27 species that are found on on this island (15 of which are either endangered or threatend)

Can't wait to get married?

Unlike many Caribbean destinations, there is no waiting period to get married in The Dominican Republic there are some requirements, but Destination Weddings are a big business here. Could it be because of the casinos?

All images are courtesy of The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism