Recommend May2017 - 44

Celebrating 50 Years of Helping Travel Agents Sell Travel

Barcelo Hotel Group

Barcelo has been going strong for 85
years, and the 2016 acquisition of
Occidental Hotels & Resorts made it
even stronger. "Our impact is growing
every year," says Juan Perez Sosa,
senior v.p. of sales and marketing.
"After acquiring Occidental, Barcelo
Hotel Group developed a new
multi-brand strategy, which includes
Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels &
Resorts, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts,
Occidental Hotels & Resorts, and
Allegro Hotels. Now 41 of BHG's 116
hotels-and the majority of its rooms-
are located in Latin America and the
Caribbean, with 33,905 rooms in Latin
America and 15,587 in the Caribbean."
The brands truly are distinct, which
is a great help to both travelers and to
travel advisors seeking to book the very
right place for each client.

Here's the breakdown:
"Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels &
Resorts features our most elite and
exclusive luxury resort experiences-
destinations where guests experience
authenticity, attention to detail,
discretion, and the ultimate in
personalized service," says Perez Sosa.
"Barcelo Hotels & Resorts'
design-centric, upscale hotels and
resorts offer exclusive experiences, such
as signature U-Spa Health and Wellness
Centers. This brand's flagship hotel is
Barcelo Emperatriz, which opened in
Madrid in January 2016, and its Latin
American flagships are Barcelo Maya
Grand Resort and Barcelo Bavaro
Grand Resort."
Perez defines Occidental Hotels &
Resorts as "a collection of distinctive
properties with strong local flavor in

"Our clients want personalized and authentic experiences-
and that is what BHG offers. Its properties are great for
multigenerational travelers as they offer something for everyone.
They offer this at different price points, too. We've noticed an influx
in sales for the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in particular; consumers
seem to love the property."

some of the world's most desirable
locations, including Mexico,
Dominican Republic, Costa Rica,
Spain, and Prague. This brand is the
perfect option for families and groups
of friends and couples, with a focus
on active adventures, such as scuba
diving and cultural immersion, that are
authentic to each location."
Meanwhile, BHG has not neglected
budget-conscious travelers. "Allegro
Hotels are designed for these travelers
as a place where guests live life with
energy, freedom and fun. There is
always something to celebrate, discover,
and learn," explains Perez Sosa.
In short, he says, "Our refocused
strategy is designed to give Barcelo
Hotel Group's guests a distinctive
and customized experience." To that
end, the company has invested $120
million in property renovations that
are slated for completion by December
2017. "Major projects are underway at
key resorts in Mexico, the Dominican
Republic, Central America, and
Aruba." Yet another phase of upgrades
will kick in next year. For example,
BHG will create an adults-only resort at
Barcelo Maya Grand Resort.

- Judith Heydt and Maria Thomas, Founders, Judy and Maria's Travel
44 may 2017

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