Canada has remained one of Bahia Principe’s most valued markets, and the recent numbers continue to prove that – outbound travel volume from Canada has nearly doubled in the last decade, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 6 percent per year.

TravelPulse Canada visited the family owned and operated Bahia Principe Fantasia in late August, with an eight year old son in tow, where we experienced the resort from a family perspective. We spoke with Helen Montijano – VP of Sales and Marketing Canada & USA for Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts about many things, including the elephant in the room; is the Dominican Republic a safe place for vacation?

“Safety is our top priority. We want to ensure that our guests have a relaxing and enjoyable stay with us and that begins with guest safety, including measures both seen and unseen,” she tells us. “The Dominican Republic is a very safe destination. According to the U.S. State Department, it is on par with visiting France, Denmark and Spain.”

The Dominican government has unveiled a number of recent measures to further showcase the country’s safety for tourists, including a National Commission on Tourism Security, the availability of 911 on the island, and a multilingual emergency center. At a press conference in mid-September in NYC, Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier García, decried what he described as sensational media reporting of “unrelated” deaths and other incidents involving U.S. vacationers in the country.

Part of the reason for continued growth in travel might be attributed to overall travel trends. Montijano says they’ve noticed a shift in Canadian travellers who are looking for a more experiential vacation.

“Travellers are looking to consume experiences rather than purchase things, this aligns with global trends and is part of the reason why we introduced the three segmented Experiences this year, each with updated programming in the pillars of entertainment, sports, food & beverage, to offer customized stays for travelers of all interests.”

Travellers might be surprised to see all 7 Bahia Principe resorts are located within the same complex, a key differentiator at Bahia Principe, as many of the properties are strategically situated to allow for shared spaces and options for travelers of all interests.

“Our complex is the largest in Punta Cana and truly has something for everyone, Montijano explains. “Guests will find personalized service and extraordinary cuisine including gourmet, a la carte restaurants and buffet options that feature live cooking stations that highlight the destination and also offer theme nights. Bahia Principe Village is the perfect place for guests to let loose at night but located, logistically near the outskirts of the resort, to allow those who want to relax to find the tranquility they seek. With our kid’s club, younger travelers can enjoy themselves with fellow guests their age and parents can enjoy alone time in paradise.”

Montijano says they are constantly looking for ways to give back to their loyal travel partners. The Bahia Principe Rewards program is a way to make sure agents have all the information and tools necessary to sell the brand and provide incentives and rewards to those that complete online courses and continue to book their valued customers at our properties. Through the program, agents can earn points which can be redeemed for perks including complimentary stays, excursion discounts, spa treatments and more.

Agents can learn more via their agent website.

“The group’s core values, family-style leadership and the endless opportunities that come with my responsibilities here, both in career and personal levels, continue to make me the brand’s number one cheerleader.”