Apple Leisure Group Enters Panama and Expands its AMResorts Portfolio with Milestone 40th Contract

New Dreams® Resort & Spa development in Panama highlights an

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. March 04, 2014

PHILADELPHIA - March 4, 2014 - AMResorts signed its 40th contract this week, extending the hospitality powerhouse's reach to Panama and securing its sixth property in just one year.

President and CEO of Apple Leisure Group, Alejandro Zozaya, announced that its subsidiary, AMResorts, signed contracts for two outstanding properties: Zoëtry® Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun - a 35-room property in Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico and Dreams® Buenaventura Panama Resort & Spa- a new 450-room resort under development just outside of Panama City, Panama.

The Dreams Buenaventura Panama signing marks the company's 40th contract under the AMResorts brand.“Dreams Buenaventura Panama Resort & Spa is a milestone transaction that not only showcases the breadth and strength of our resort brand portfolio, it also exemplifies our mission to establish AMResorts' hospitality excellence in new and highly desirable leisure markets such as Panama,” said Zozaya. “Panama's promising travel sector is one of the best kept secrets of Central American tourism, offering tremendous opportunities to our partners and brands.”

Apple Leisure Group's Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Javier Coll, added, “Our venture into this exciting new destination, combined with robust efforts to expand our footprint in existing markets, is a strategic move that will yield significant returns and bolster overall market share within the competitive all-inclusive resort industry.”

Buenaventura and Villa Rolandi are just the latest chapter in Apple Leisure Group's phenomenal ascent fueled by AMResorts' world-class resort brand management extending to six properties in one year, five of which are new developments:

• Dreams® Buenaventura Panama Resort & Spa: Located in an exclusive community of luxury villas and high-end resorts minutes away from Rio Hato International Airport, the 450-suite property offers stunning views of lush gardens, lagoons, a white sand beach and the 18-hole Nicklaus Design par-72 championship golf course. Buenaventura will be managed under AMResorts' Dreams luxury family resort brand and is slated for completion in 2016

• Zoëtry® Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun: AMResorts will assume operation of this elegant and intimate 35-room resort in June 2014, officially rebranding the property under AMResorts' luxury boutique brand, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, in December 2014. Guests can enjoy casual elegance and panoramic views of gorgeous sunsets at the property's award-winning, family-owned Casa Rolandi Restaurant, featuring extraordinary North Italian-Swiss cuisine by renowned chef, Daniele Müller.

• Dreams® Las Mareas Costa Rica: Occupying a private white-sand beach cove surrounded by lush jungle, this 447-room family resort, (opening in November 2014), will feature seven world-class restaurants, bars, a nightclub, Core Zone for teens and Explorer's club for children, plus a Dreams Spa by Pevonia®.

• Secrets® Playa Mujeres Resort & Spa: AMResorts' sophisticated adults-only Secrets brand will launch this all-inclusive property in November 2014. Situated on 2.3 miles of gated beachfront property on the Yucatan Peninsula, many of the 424 rooms will have an ocean view. The resort will also feature a signature Greg Norman golf course.

• Secrets® Akumal Riviera Maya: The luxurious 425-room couples' resort is situated on Akumal Beach, one of the “Top 25 Beaches in the World”, as voted by TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice 2013. The property is set to open in December 2015.

• Breathless® Riviera Maya: Scheduled to open in December 2015, this 500-room resort property is the second under AMResorts' new Breathless brand of all-adult, luxury all-inclusive resorts appealing to singles, couples and friends, and is located a short 15-minute-drive from Cancun International Airport.

Upon completion, the newest additions will take the grand total of AMResorts' branded hotels to 40 luxurious properties, offering a total of 15,420 rooms in 15 markets across Mexico, Costa Rica, Curacao, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and now, Panama.

Panama's distinctive beauty and abundant natural wonders are just a few reasons why the country is an up-and-coming destination with North American travelers. Bordered by stunning beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, agri- and eco-tourists can enjoy trips to nearby mountains, rainforests, volcanoes, coffee plantations, waterfalls, and vast national parks and reserves. Panama also has a thriving cultural and entertainment scene with theater, jazz and night clubs, casinos and upscale shopping. The first Frank Gehry-designed museum in Latin America, due to open near the mouth of the Panama Canal this year, is also expected to attract more visitors to the country.

To learn more or discuss future development, resort brand management and distribution opportunities with Apple Leisure Group, please visit www.appleleisuregroup.com or contact [email protected].

About Apple Leisure Group Fast-growing Apple Leisure Group is comprised of Apple Vacations®, the world's largest tour operator to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Travel Impressions, an award-winning U.S. wholesaler possessing an extensive global portfolio, CheapCaribbean.com, a popular online travel agency specializing in luxury vacation packages and resort accommodations in Mexico and the Caribbean, AMResorts®, provider of exceptional marketing and brand management services to six luxury resort brands, Amstar DMC®, a destination management company offering premium airport transfers, tours and excursions, and Unlimited Vacation Club, an elite recognition and benefits program for discerning travelers who expect the very best in a vacation experience.