The Dominican Republic says the tourism success it enjoyed in 2014 shows no signs of slowing. The country has seen a 45% growth in consumer interest and investors have responded by opening several hotels, ranging from luxury couples-only properties to family-friendly resorts.

During the recent Dominican Annual Travel Exchange (DATE) event in Punta Cana, the Ministry of Tourism announced that it has approved 33 permits for the construction of 3,000 new hotel rooms and other tourism ventures for a total investment of more than US$400 million.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Tourism Minister Radhames Martinez Aponte said that another 11 new investment projects worth US$1.6 billion are currently under consideration.

Among the highlights of the D.R.’s tourism plans are the following:

More Excellence: Excellence Group Luxury Hotels & Resorts of Mexico has announced a new hotel to be built in PUJ. The company already operates the adults-only Excellence Punta Cana in Uvero Alto, on the northern end of the east coast tourist area.

The company says its second all-inclusive luxury property will be Excellence El Carmen with a scheduled opening in late 2016. The resort will have 452 suites ranging from junior suites starting at a generous 800 square feet to upper suites that provide up to 2,000 square feet of living space. Excellence Group's VP of Sales and Marketing, Domingo Aznar says the hotel will have 12 restaurants, 10 bars and a Miile Spa.

Brand-New Hilton: Hilton Worldwide has announced that its first Caribbean Homewood Suites by Hilton will open in Santo Domingo on the former site of the La Chismosa bar-lounge on Gustavo Mejia Ricart Avenue, opposite the Blue Mall. Two blocks away, Intercontinental will open its own hotel in a high-rise building also under construction on Winston Churchill Avenue.

The new hotel will be an 11-storey building featuring 120-studio, one- and two-bedroom suites. All units will be fully equipped with kitchens complete with modern appliances, living and sleeping areas plus

More Karisma: Karisma Hotels & Resorts has announced the construction of two hotels in Uvero Alto, at the northern end of the Bavaro-Punta Cana resort area. The complex will include the first Nickelodeon hotel to be built outside the United States. Overall the complex will have 11 restaurants, a water park, casino and nightclubs. The first Nickelodeon Punta Cana is scheduled to open in late 2016.