The Majestic Elegance Punta Cana is closing from Aug. 15 to
Nov. 7 because of expected low occupancy during that period, Majestic Resorts
said in a letter to travel agents.
Majestic said negative news reports about the Dominican
Republic have taken a toll on all three of its Punta Cana resorts.
"Thousands of cancellations have come our way for our
three resorts in Punta Cana," Majestic Resorts said in the letter. "Despite
the cancellations, we were able to maintain 60% occupancy for our resorts
during June, July and the first half of August. However, the situation is
completely different for the second half of August as well as September and October."
While the Majestic Elegance is closed, the company said it hopes
to reach 60% occupancy at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana and the Majestic
Mirage Punta Cana. Majestic said it would upgrade all guests booked at the Majestic
Elegance to the same room category or higher at its other two Punta Cana
resorts.
The FBI is investigating a string of tourist deaths in the
Dominican Republic that have occurred in the past year. Online reports have
floated a theory about tainted alcohol being the cause, but Dominican Republic officials
have said that the deaths are a coincidence and not outside the usual rate of
tourist deaths in the destination. The negative coverage has wounded tourism.
The Majestic Elegance specifically has been in the news
because a Delaware woman says she was beaten unconscious at the resort last
January. She is suing the resort for $3 million.