The first-ever real estate project approved by Dominica’s world-leading Citizenship by Investment programme, the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica has been awarded top spot in the inaugural World MICE Awards, the global initiative to recognise and reward excellence in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
Following a year-long search for the world’s leading MICE brands, and the publishing of a list of winners last month (November 2020), the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominic has been crowned the Caribbean’s Best New MICE Hotel 2020.
The first official five-star resort in Dominica, the Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica was also the first-ever government-approved CBI real estate project in Dominica, offering investors the chance to invest in the resort in exchange for rental income and Dominican citizenship (and passports) for themselves and their family.
For a minimum investment of US$220,000 in Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski, which is the minimum threshold requirement for eligibility to Dominica’s CBI Programme, investors get a share in a one-bed, one bath luxury room at this award-winning resort managed by a world-class hotel brand that guarantees an annual income yield from the outset.
Opened in October 2019, the resort was approved by the government for its CBI Programme not just because it is managed by respected Caribbean hospitality developer Range Developments and renowned global hotel brand Kempinski, but because the approach of the resort very much fits with the country’s focus on eco-tourism and embrace of sustainable initiatives.
A hideaway resort located along the picturesque white sand beach on Douglas Bay and surrounded by Cabrits National park, it has been stunningly and unobtrusively designed to preserve the natural beauty and ecosystem of the island and to strike a natural balance between the land and sea.
In fact, the resort is on the doorstep to the island’s matchless natural attractions, from its countless waterfalls and natural hot springs to its 365 rivers and is committed to protecting the authenticity of this pristine eco-tourism paradise. The rooms and restaurants embrace nature and make the most of the environment: while the 151 spacious rooms, suites, duplexes and villas are nestled among cool, shaded gardens and boast unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea, the restaurants are farm-to-table and sea-to-table, with both supplied by the resort’s own sustainable vegetable, fruit, herb and spice garden.
This commitment to the preservation of the environment and to Dominica’s stunning natural surroundings is one of the reasons the resort was chosen by the World MICE Awards as a winner.
A further reason is its array of five-star facilities and amenities within the resort, including a full-service Kempinski spa, state-of-the-art gym, two tennis courts, four swimming pools, six beach cabanas, onsite watersports, a mud pit to enjoy the Dominican healing sulphuric mud baths, and of course its MICE facilities – more than 8,000 sq-ft of indoor/outdoor event space, including the beach, pool and lawn venues, as well as three meeting rooms, a boardroom and an outdoor amphitheatre. The resort also offers a skilled events team who can assist in choosing the perfect venue and menus based on party size and preference.
But that’s not all. Guided by global health and safety recommendations, the resort has developed its service culture for what is now a new phase in hospitality, cleverly implementing the ‘White Glove Services’, an initiative designed to influence the guest journey throughout their stay and keep them safe and healthy. Employees wear white gloves when welcoming guests, sanitising stations are available in all public areas, while masks are available in all rooms, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures have been implemented in all areas.
Speaking about the resort as a choice for the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit stated: “We are very comfortable with Range. We are extremely comfortable with Kempinski. We are excited that they have come to Dominica. Range has clearly indicated that they are here not only for the short term or medium term, but certainly for the long term.”
Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme
Ranked the world’s best CBI Programme for the fourth consecutive year, according to the latest CBI Index 2020, Dominica’s longstanding Citizenship by Investment programme, at 27 years old, is widely considered to be one of the world’s most efficient and transparent CIPs, combining extensive due diligence with efficiency, speed, affordability and reliability.
Offering rapid relocation, with just 45-60 days application processing times, and the cheapest CBI cost at US$100,000 (along with Saint Lucia and Antigua & Barbuda), Dominica’s CBI programme is not just competitive, it’s winning.
Recently, Dominica extended its ‘dependent’ clause in its CBI Programme to include a wider range of family members, including grandparents and adopted siblings. Dominica furthermore reduced the qualifying fund contribution for a family of four from US$200,000 to US$175,000, comprising the main applicant, their spouse and two dependants other than a sibling.
In terms of citizenship by investment options, investors can either make a non-refundable donation of US$100,000 if single and US$200,000 for a family of four to Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), or make a real estate investment in a government-approved property, like Secret Resort, of minimum US$200,000 and can re-sell after three to five years of receiving citizenship, dependent upon purchase and re-sell.
A Dominican passport gives citizens visa-free access to 141 countries, slightly less than other Caribbean countries, though Dominica has seen the greatest increase in visa-free offerings since 2019 compared to the other CBI countries, and is set to add China to its list. And, as per the just-released Henley & Partners Passport Index 2020 for Q4, Dominica has moved up two places in the passport power ranks from its position in Q1, to 33rd in the world.
Find out more about Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme with our country profile by clicking here