Aimbridge Hospitality on Meeting Changing Travel Preferences in the Dominican Republic’s All-Inclusive Markets

As a trusted operator of over 80 globally recognized lodging brands—including properties affiliated with Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, and other luxury, lifestyle, brands—Aimbridge Hospitality delivers compelling results for hotel owners by leveraging proprietary data and insights as an authority in key markets and destinations, while creating exceptional guest experiences.

That expertise extends to the all-inclusive segment, where Aimbridge operates leading brands. Identifying key market trends and providing valuable perspective on multi-generational travel are duties entrusted to Pilar Arizmendi, senior vice president of commercial for the all-inclusive division. TravelPulse spoke with Arizmendi to gain insight into the contemporary all-inclusive marketplace.

TP: What is behind the rise in multi-generational travel?

PA: At Aimbridge Hospitality’s all-inclusive division, we’re seeing multi-generational travel surge as families prioritize connection and ease—and that’s exactly what all-inclusive resorts are designed to deliver. At Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana in particular, the experience is built for shared moments across generations, from expansive family suites to programming that keeps kids, parents, and grandparents equally engaged. With the goal to cater to all types of travelers the hotel recently announced the grand opening of Splash Island, a new waterpark with four water slides, a lazy river, kids pool with mini slides and games.

More broadly, this trend is rooted in a desire to spend meaningful time together. Travelers today are balancing busy lives and, in many cases, lingering post-pandemic priorities around togetherness. All-inclusive resorts remove the stress of planning, allowing families to focus on quality time—whether that’s enjoying activities together or giving parents the flexibility to recharge while other family members step in. Additionally, we’re seeing Gen Z embrace multi-generational travel as a way to make travel more affordable by sharing costs with parents or grandparents.

This allows them to visit bucket list destinations in a shared meaningful way with family—further fueling the rise of family inclusive travel.

TP: How are resorts adapting to larger groups?

PA: Across Aimbridge’s all-inclusive portfolio, including both Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana and Wyndham Alltra Samaná, resorts are intentionally evolving to meet the needs of larger and more diverse travel groups.

At Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana, that means spacious accommodations designed for families, flexible dining options, and a wide range of daily activities that cater to every age group—all withinone seamless experience. Meanwhile, Wyndham Alltra Samaná offers a more intimate, boutiquestyle environment that’s ideal for groups or families traveling together but seeking a slower, more relaxed pace. This includes unique room categories such as family-friendly bungalows that offer cozy living spaces, loft style bedrooms for kids, and even a sofa bed and kitchenette for added convenience.

We’re also seeing increased demand for group-friendly booking structures. For group travel, we work closely with our travel advisor partners to thoughtfully guide them toward the room categories and on-property options that best align with each group’s needs—whether it’s reserving connected family suites for a multi-generational reunion, securing more private accommodations for an intimate celebration, or curating the ideal layout and experiences to ensure every guest feels both comfortable and considered.

TP: Why is demand growing for nature-forward Caribbean experiences?

PA: We’re seeing an intentional shift toward travel that prioritizes both well-being and environment, with guests actively seeking destinations that feel less developed and more connected to nature. Increasingly, that means looking beyond traditional hubs like Punta Cana and embracing “new” pockets of the Caribbean that offer a deeper sense of place.

Wyndham Alltra Samaná captures this evolution, reflecting broader global shifts toward more sustainable, authentic, and restorative travel experiences, amplified by the Dominican Republic’s rich biodiversity—from lush rainforests to renowned whale habitats. Set in Las Galeras, the resort is rooted in raw natural beauty, from its beachfront location on Javo Beach La Playita to the ability to explore nearby, untouched coastlines like Playa Frontón and Playa Madama. Guests aren’t just staying at a resort—they’re using it as a gateway to the destination.

This demand is also being fueled by a desire to disconnect and reset. The COVID-19 era heightened awareness of nature's role in mental and physical health, driving travelers to seek “blue health” escapes, forest bathing, and immersive outdoor experiences that allow them to disconnect from screens and reconnect with their surroundings. Globally, nature and outdoor travel continues to outpace other segments, with wellness-driven activities like restorative hikes and marine-based therapies seeing significant growth. In the Caribbean, this is translating into increased demand for quieter, slower-paced destinations that prioritize authentic connection over crowded resort experiences. Whether it's biking through the peninsula, embarking on ecotours to Los Haitises National Park, or hiking to El Limón Waterfall, these types of experiences allow guests to engage with nature in a way that feels both restorative and memorable.

TP: Why are destinations like Samaná attracting travelers seeking more immersive escapes?

PA: At Aimbridge Hospitality, we’re seeing travelers gravitate toward destinations that offer a stronger sense of contrast within a single country—where they can move beyond the more established, high-energy resort areas like Punta Cana and experience something that feels distinctly different in both pace and personality.

The Wyndham Alltra Samaná taps into this by offering a more intimate, design-forward take on the all-inclusive experience, set within the character-rich village of Las Galeras. Here, the appeal isn’t just the landscape—it’s the feeling of being integrated into the destination. Guests can enjoy elevated dining, relaxed beachfront living, and upgraded suite experiences, while still stepping outside the resort to engage with local culture, from casual seaside restaurants to everyday moments that feel genuinely Dominican.

Samaná also stands out for the variety of experiences within close reach. In a single stay, travelers can beach-hop across some of the Caribbean’s most pristine shorelines like Playa Rincón, take a boat into Samaná Bay for whale watching, or explore dramatic coastal landscapes and hidden beaches. This diversity allows for a more layered, immersive trip—one that feels exploratory rather than purely resort-based.

TP: What key trends are shaping all-inclusive travel in the Dominican Republic?

PA: At Aimbridge Hospitality’s all-inclusive division, we’re seeing the category evolve well beyond convenience into something far more personalized, experience-driven, and destination-diverse—and that shift is happening alongside the Dominican Republic’s continued tourism growth.

The country recently welcomed over 1.18 million visitors in a single month, a more than 13% year-over-year increase, reinforcing its position as the most visited destination in the Caribbean.

What’s notable is not just the volume, but the diversity of demand—spanning air and cruise arrivals, with particularly strong growth in cruise tourism, and continued dominance from key markets like the U.S., which accounts for nearly 40% of visitors.

Within this momentum, properties like Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana and Wyndham Alltra Samaná reflect how traveler expectations are evolving. Guests are no longer choosing all-inclusive simply for ease—they’re looking for distinct, tailored experiences within the same destination. Punta Cana continues to lead as the country’s primary gateway, accounting for more than half of air arrivals, and delivers that vibrant, family-friendly energy with expansive amenities and activities.

At the same time, emerging regions like Samaná are gaining traction among travelers seeking more immersive, nature-forward escapes.

Personalization is one of the most important drivers. Today’s traveler expects curated experiences—whether that’s customized excursions, elevated dining, or thoughtful in-room touches that make the stay feel bespoke. At the same time, variety is essential: guests want access to wellness, adventure, entertainment, and culinary experiences all in one place.

We’re also seeing a growing interest in exploring “new” destinations within the Dominican Republic—encouraging repeat visitors to go beyond well-known hubs and discover regions like Samaná, which offers a more tranquil, nature-driven alternative.

TP: How are shifting traveler expectations impacting the all-inclusive category across the Dominican Republic?

PA:The Dominican Republic has become one of the most dynamic all-inclusive markets in the Caribbean, and with that comes a more discerning traveler. At Aimbridge All Inclusive, we’re responding by elevating the guest experience across every touchpoint to become more dynamic, creative, and experience-led. At Aimbridge All Inclusive, this means going beyond traditional programming and rethinking how guests engage with both the resort and the destination itself.

At Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana, that translates into high-energy, social programming designed for all ages and extends to more elevated wellness offerings, such as hydrotherapy experiences that complement the resort’s high-energy atmosphere with moments of relaxation and recovery.

Wyndham Alltra Samaná leans into more relaxed, culturally immersive rhythms such as bachata dance classes, hands-on Dominican cooking classes that highlight traditional flavors, and an increased focus on wellness programming, including beachfront sessions led by FitBodies yoga experts. Across both, there’s an opportunity—and expectation—to elevate daily activities into something more meaningful and memorable.

We’re seeing resorts move beyond the traditional beach games or standard fitness classes and introduce programming that feels more connected to the destination. These moments not only entertain but also tell a story—giving guests a deeper connection to the culture, flavors, and identity of the Dominican Republic.

Ultimately, today’s traveler wants more than a place to stay—they want to experience where they are, and that’s driving the next evolution of the all-inclusive space.

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