Hyatt and Grupo Piñero Announce Major Joint Venture to Expand All-Inclusive Resort Portfolio
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced a strategic joint venture with Spanish hospitality group Grupo Piñero, set to expand its all-inclusive portfolio by nearly 30%. The partnership, structured as a 50/50 joint venture, will be headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and will see the Hyatt brand assume management of Grupo Piñero’s Bahia Principe hotels, marking a significant step in Hyatt’s global strategy for growth in the all-inclusive sector.
This joint venture will oversee the management of the Bahia Principe brand and its portfolio of 23 resorts, with over 12,000 rooms. Following the completion of the deal, which is expected in the coming months pending regulatory approvals, the Bahia Principe resorts across the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Spain will be incorporated into Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. This includes the notable addition of the exclusive Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic.
For Grupo Piñero, this partnership builds on nearly five decades of experience in the tourism sector, having established a reputation for high-quality all-inclusive resorts aimed at a predominantly European clientele. Grupo Piñero expects the collaboration with Hyatt to provide expanded opportunities for growth in the Americas and other international markets. Encarna Piñero, Global CEO of Grupo Piñero, will serve as Chairman of the Board in the joint venture, with the current CEO of Bahia Principe, Julio Pérez, appointed to lead the management team.
Hyatt’s President and CEO, Mark Hoplamazian, expressed confidence in the collaboration, emphasising the synergy between Hyatt’s luxury hospitality expertise and Grupo Piñero’s established presence in the all-inclusive segment. “The addition of Bahia Principe’s resorts to Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection strengthens our position with one of the world’s largest all-inclusive portfolios,” Hoplamazian said. “The values and customer focus that have shaped Grupo Piñero’s success align well with Hyatt’s commitment to responsible business practices and quality customer experience.”
Grupo Piñero has grown significantly since its first resort opened in the Dominican Republic nearly 30 years ago. As a family-owned enterprise, it has prioritised social and economic impacts on local communities in each of its resort locations. The proceeds from this joint venture will enable Grupo Piñero to enhance its existing Bahia Principe resorts, supporting both physical improvements and sustainability initiatives that benefit local economies.
“Hyatt’s commitment to a positive social impact and focus on care mirrors our own values,” said Encarna Piñero. “Through this partnership, we are positioned to strengthen our brand’s legacy, while leveraging Hyatt’s resources to expand our offerings to a broader market.”
Grupo Piñero’s inclusion of the Bahia Principe resorts in the World of Hyatt loyalty programme is planned for a future date, offering an added benefit for Hyatt’s members and providing opportunities for expanded loyalty among Bahia Principe’s customer base.
With the hospitality sector recovering from pandemic-driven impacts, the strategic joint venture between Hyatt and Grupo Piñero reflects broader trends in the industry, as brands seek to leverage partnerships that prioritise efficiency and shared expertise. This collaboration will allow both companies to optimise resources while expanding market reach in the high-demand all-inclusive segment.