The first all-inclusive Hard Rock in the world has launched the first Kidz Bop Experience in the world at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.

To kick off the experience, TravelPulse Canada was invited to attend a special week-long event where kids lived like a Kidz Bop kid. The group is the number one selling entertainment brand in the world and is comprised of 7 kids who sing and dance their way to today’s pop hits.

My son was very impressed by the VIP treatment. He checked-in to the Pop Star lounge, where he was guided by a personal tour manager. He got to create a band name, learn brand new dance moves, select a red carpet worthy wardrobe and even experience the paparazzi on the red carpet. The week also included a Kidz Bop tour stop where the kids performed as the opening act.

“We’ve expanded our offerings such as the KidzBop Experience to really draw in families,” says Frank Maduro, VP of Marketing, AIG Group, Hard Rock Hotels. “Initially we thought Hard Rock was a little edgy for families and we were proven wrong. Families love the brand and we’re perceived to be a safe brand in terms of a comfort level and most importantly, everyone has a good time. And that’s helped us catapult us into a very family friendly space.”

“We’re always looking for new amenities for our guests to provide a unique experience. It’s very difficult to travel with kids, to keep them entertained. With us being a music centric brand, we were looking for a brand that would fit that mold more at a kid’s level,” said Maduro. “Kidz Bop is the number one entertainment for kids, they have 17 number one records, a 60 city stop concert tour. It’s such a great fit for both of us to offer the Kidz Bop Experience year round.”

Canada is a big market for Punta Cana in general, with Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat and Sunwing offering direct flights from across Canada. The Hard Rock sees more adults and couples in winter months, with the exception of holidays such as March Break and Christmas, and lots of families in the summer. They’re obviously doing something right – the hotel’s 1800 rooms were at 100 percent occupancy last week.

Maduro says travel agents are key to the brand’s marketing and he encourages agents to experience Kidz Bop program themselves, saying “seeing is believing”. Checking out the property with your kids is a whole different story than visiting alone. Hard Rock offers ongoing incentives to book the product such as free stay opportunities, special trade rates and FAM trip opportunities. The company has 4 sales people in Canada who work closely with the travel agent community.

The MICE market is also a big draw for Hard Rock as Maduro says 30 percent of business originates from it. The property has 65,000 square feet of meeting space and can host any type of concert: Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake are just a couple of the big names who’ve performed there. The 120 acre property is also home to a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course, 9 restaurants, 18 pools, 13 bars and full spa and gym.

In keeping with the plan to provide something for everyone, a waterpark is currently under construction and scheduled to open in early 2019. The Kidz Bop Experience is also planned to launch in Mexico.

“We are trying to break it out that there’s something for all the kids and adults. We want to make sure everyone has an area to go to have a great vacation.”