PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, Nov. 20, 2001 - Grupo del Caribe, one of the Caribbean�s largest development groups, today unveiled plans to develop what will be the Caribbean�s premier destination, Cap Cana, in the Dominican Republic.  The multi-billion-dollar project will sit on 30,000 acres and five miles of oceanfront property on the easternmost point of the Dominican Republic, next to Punta Cana. Grupo del Caribe hand-picked an elite team of industry-leading entrepreneurs to bring the Cap Cana vision to light, and alter the Caribbean�s destiny.  The project team

Cap Cana, the Caribbean's premium resort  destination for discerning travelers, will feature  three Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses,  the region's largest marina, two-dozen  hotels and high-end residences. Construction  on the multi-billion dollar project will  commence in January 2002. (PRNewsFoto)

A golf and yachting mecca, the project will feature three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses, the Caribbean�s largest marina, with several harbors, and two dozen luxury hotels within a pedestrian destination resort.  Cap Cana will also host a large community of luxury permanent and part-time residences.

According to developer and Cap Cana president Ricardo Hazoury, Cap Cana is being created with the vision of setting the new standard in the Caribbean.  Hazoury�s ambition is to elevate the status of the Dominican Republic from an all-inclusive tourism focus to a premium year-round destination for discerning travelers from around the world.  Hazoury also plans to create more than 50,000 new jobs with the development of this milestone project for the Caribbean.

Hazoury, whose family manages some of the largest international airports in the region and has built over 5,000 hotel rooms in the last few years, said he had no hesitations when choosing the designer to create the Cap Cana golf experience.

�Cap Cana will be a world-class destination and Jack Nicklaus is a world-class designer; it�s a perfect fit,� said Hazoury.  �We look forward to welcoming Mr. Nicklaus to Cap Cana and the Dominican Republic.�

Cap Cana will be Nicklaus� first work in the Dominican Republic; however, he is no stranger to being on the ground floor of a golf and resort destination.  It is the Golden Bear�s award-winning work in Los Cabos, Mexico, which turned a sleepy fishing village into one of the world�s most sought-after resort destinations in less than a decade.

�Ricardo Hazoury and his group have given us a wonderful opportunity to create something truly special,� said Nicklaus.  �Cap Cana has all the components: the climate and lure of the Caribbean, beachfront property, the demand for quality golf, and the right people assembled to make all of this a reality.  I am proud and honored that my design team was asked to be a part of this group.�

It is expected that the first of the three Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses will be completed by the end of 2002, and the other two completed within the following year.  The marina is expected to open by the end of 2003.

The centerpiece of Cap Cana�s maritime facilities will be the Grand Canal, which will be almost 200 feet wide, two miles long and 13 feet deep.  Accommodating more than 1,000 vessels, this marina will be surrounded by an animated village of boutiques, restaurants and five-star hotels.  It will feature on-site maintenance facilities, Port Authorities and Customs.  It will be the only full-service marina with 150-foot-plus slips within the 250 miles between Turks & Caicos and Puerto Rico.

The project�s pedestrian resort area will offer miles of biking and cart paths, and a Vaporetto shuttle system will link large parking lots to Cap Cana�s harbors, canals, beach clubs and luxury hotels.  Several miles of strolling paved streets will host luxury boutiques and sidewalk cafes, and link theme neighborhoods with seaside restaurants.  Cap Cana will offer the largest possible range of sporting activities, cultural animations, shopping opportunities, casinos and water parks.  Strict architectural and design guidelines will make Cap Cana the Caribbean�s most appealing attraction for visitors.