by Brian Major
Last updated: 9:05 AM ET, Wed August 30, 2023
All-inclusive
operator Blue Diamond Resorts represents the maturing all-inclusive segment,
populated with premium properties for travelers from adults-only to all-age resorts.
The firm recently opened the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun Blue Diamond will follow up in 2024 with the Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay.
TravelPulse
Canada spoke recently Alejandro Rodriguez del Peon, Blue Diamond’s director of
marketing and public relations, to learn more about where
vacationers are traveling, booking trends and Blue Diamond Resorts new
properties, services, amenities and facilities.
TP: How
did Blue Diamond officials view the post-pandemic leisure travel landscape?
AR: Everything
changed. The pandemic had a huge impact on travelers. The time spent not
traveling translated into a desire for elevated experiences. We can see how
travel trends have been going now, the desire to travel to beach destinations
and all-inclusive resorts has been booming.
TP: How
have the changes impacted the all-inclusive segment?
AR: It’s
incredible how right now may be the time for all-inclusive premium experiences
and how this is meeting the tastes of travelers and will help us continue
growing.
TP: Were
there unexpected post-pandemic situations?
AR: Unfortunately,
there’s a war in Europe, we have had recessions, a lot of economic crises, and
many people might have thought this was going to impact [leisure travel]
negatively, because we’ve seen that in the past with travelers.
But on the
contrary, people kept traveling and kept demanding more tailor-made
experiences, and occupancies have never been this high. Specifically for the
Caribbean, airport traffic has been hitting records in all countries.
TP: Where
is the most traveler activity?
AR: Cancun’s
international airport is now the busiest in Latin America and the most
important one in the country. And then there’s Punta Cana, Saint Lucia, Antigua
and Jamaica, where people are traveling more than ever.
I think
that’s what COVID did to us, the time spent not traveling translated into a
desire for traveling and having new experiences.
TP: What
makes the region so popular?
AR: We see
the Caribbean and Mexico as products [popular] because of the product offering.
The beachfronts, the beach quality, the people and cultures, have turned it
into achievable exotic getaways.
TP: What
does “achievable” mean in this context?
AR: I mean that
normally, you’d have to go all the way to Bali to experience an over-water
bungalow. But now you can take a flight from Miami and in a few hours you’re at
Royalton Antigua enjoying an overwater bungalow.
You don’t
have to go all the way to a jungle or tropical rainforest when you can go visit
the waterfalls in Jamaica, while staying at Blue Diamond’s Jamaica resorts, in
a tailor-made bubble where you’re taken care of and feel like it’s a home away
from home.
TP: How
has the post-pandemic environment impacted Caribbean all-inclusive properties?
AR: The
Caribbean itself is a unique destination, and we’re seeing the results of that.
Right now, we are living a milestone in the all-inclusive segment, that's for
sure. Twenty years ago, when it only started, as a standalone product or
product offering, just the fact that it was premium was different enough or
strong enough to appeal to new markets.
Right now,
we are going to see these mature products. We are starting to see these evolutions that is something that Blue Diamond has been
doing.
The Royalton Chic Brand represents a “party your way” orientation, said Alejandro Rodriguez. A Royalton Chic Antigua suite. (Courtesy of Blue Diamond Resorts)
TP: What are
the Blue Diamond brands’ profiles?
AR: We have brands
for each one of the segments. For instance, we have the Royalton Resorts, which
is the family or all-ages resort. It's a resort where everyone's family.
It doesn't
matter if you're traveling with a MICE group or part of a corporate event or
you’re a couple that’s honeymooning with your friends, everyone is family. Then
we have Royalton Chic Resorts.
Since the
pandemic, they have been a huge success for Blue Diamond. The concept is ‘party
your way.’ It’s not a spring break resort, it’s do whatever you want freedom.
You want to relax? You want to drink? You want to dance? You want to read a
book? Party your way!
TP: What other
brands are under the Blue Diamond umbrella?
AR: We have
another adults-only resort, the Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters. The Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters is opening in Montego Bay, Jamaica in November. This resort
encompasses the togetherness of rekindling valued relationships.
It’s a place
for togetherness. I could go with my elderly mom and have a moment for us. I
could go with my friends and have a glass of scotch each night. I could go with
my wife for our honeymoon or anniversary. It’s a special place.
TP: Are
there special product features that provide additional value for guests?
AR: Yes. At the
Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters in Montego Bay, we’ll have ‘Dazzling Nights’ with live
music, cocktails, and performances allowing guests to have a special moment. At
the resort’s seafood and grill restaurant, it’s a venue with small tables,
because we want to create that atmosphere of just being there by yourself. These
resorts exemplify what we’re doing that’s setting us apart.
TP: What
features will distinguish the newest property?
AR: The Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters will have 352 rooms. It will have 12 restaurants and 11 bars. So this
has been a challenge. How can we maintain the essence of Hideaway in the
all-inclusive setting and size? So we are planning to create smaller spaces,
places for rekindling, more privacy with more plants, making guests feel
they’re in a hotel with 98 percent occupancy although no one believes it.
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