Groundbreaking new Dominican Republic resort commences construction

The close of 2008 saw a new beginning for an exciting project in the Dominican Republic, with the laying of the first stone at the prestigious Punta Perla Golf, Marina and Spa Resort.

On the 29th December, the President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernández and Prince Albert II of Monaco were joined by government ministers, officials and Punta Perla president Ricado Miranda for the initial ground breaking and stone laying ceremony at the site of this much-anticipated new resort.
The Punta Perla Resort will be focussed around the principle of luxurious living and is set to have something for everyone – with high hopes of bringing increased tourism and spending to the Dominican Republic economy. As President Fernández recognised at the launch ceremony, the timing of the start of the new project is heartening for the country,
“Dominicans will emerge victorious thanks to the climate of peace and the investment projects in the pipeline”.
This positive feeling exemplifies a hope for the future that the project represents for the people of the Dominican Republic which, given the difficult financial times of late, is most welcome.
As construction of the Punta Perla Golf, Marina and Spa Resort commenced, eyes were drawn to the project’s plans for the future – ambitious and exciting plans that include three signature golf courses, the construction of one of the largest inland marinas in the Caribbean, a luxury Beach Club with swimming pool carved into a coral base at the edge of the sea, an equestrian centre, championship polo club, tennis club, aqua park, casino and cinema and shopping complex. And with ‘green’ features that include the harvesting of rainwater and the recycling of grey water for irrigation, the resort is set to be an impressive project, that has already captured the hearts of many – including Prince Albert II who is said to be impressed by the resort as an example of environmentally-friendly tourism that will act as the blueprint for similar projects in the future.
The start of construction at Punta Perla comes at an exciting time for the Dominican Republic, with the last quarter of 2008 having seen a huge $10.4 billion investment in the tourism sector, and the Dominican Republic Tourism Ministry reporting the highest ever number of tourists visiting the country – at 4.3 million. This has lead to Minister Francisco Javier Garcia saying that,
“tourism is consolidating itself as the ´locomotive´ of economic development in the Dominican Republic”, not only excellent news for residents, but also for those looking to invest in new projects such as the Punta Perla Resort.
Mark Andrew, Managing Director of Emerging Earth who are master agents for the development, agrees,
“With positive results having been reported in the Dominican Republic tourism market in 2008 and funding of the sector increasing further still in 2009, the numbers of people visiting the country to take full advantage of its tropical climate, rich culture and pristine sugar-coloured sands are on target to grow and grow. This is therefore an excellent time to invest to fully benefit from the projected increase in visitor numbers and the Punta Perla Resort with its great choice of properties and facilities that are second to none.”
The Punta Perla Golf, Marina and Spa Resort boasts a wide variety of different property types throughout its beach, marina, tropical gardens and golf complex, from one, two and three bedroom apartments, two and three bedroom villas and two bedroom bungalows, to one and two bedroom townhouses and two and three bedroom penthouses. All properties are set within the gated resort with private terraces, private Jacuzzis / splash pools, marble and solid wood flooring throughout, air conditioning and kitchen appliances. Properties also come with the added benefit of no stamp duty, capital gains tax or tax on rental income payable and investors can also opt for an 8% guaranteed rental return over five to ten years. Prices start at £163,550 / $245,000 to £935,280 / $1,400,000.
For more information on the new Punta Perla Golf, Marina and Spa Resort contact Emerging Earth on 0845 604 1208, email team@EmergingEarth.com or visit www.EmergingEarth.com.