IBEROSTAR is known for its great food and the new IBEROSTAR Chef on Tour series brings the best of Spanish dining to several IBEROSTAR properties. Mariela Zaldivar, Marketing Manager-Canada, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts talks about the Chef series and also about the new Premium Gold IBEROSTAR Playa Pilar in Cayo Coco opening soon.

1. What do agents need to know about the IBEROSTAR Chef on Tour series?

Zaldivar: IBEROSTAR prides about the quality of its gastronomy. It’s one of our strengths. Spain is known for its food and being a Spanish hotel chain, this is part of what we are and what we want to provide to our guests through the culture of international and local cuisines.

We developed the idea to do a series of tours in select  IBEROSTAR resorts  from October 2014 to October 2015,  where we present the haute cuisine of Spain by 16 prestigious chefs, who together hold more than 20 Michelin stars.

For more information see iberostarchefontour.com/en/.

2. What are some upcoming IBEROSTAR Chef on Tour events in the Caribbean?

Zaldivar: The next  Chef on Tour events will be April 21 at IBEROSTAR Parque Central in Havana, presented by Chef Marcos Moran, and on April 25 at IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Paraiso in Riviera Maya. On May 8 Chef Fernando Perez Arellano will be presented at IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Bavaro in Punta Cana.

3. Are these IBEROSTAR Chef on Tour events open to all guests and how can they make reservations?

Zaldivar: Absolutely, our guests have priority for reservations although this is open to the local public as well. On the website http://www.iberostarchefontour.com/en/ there are contacts for making reservations. Travel agents can use their client’s booking number. These events are taking part in our Grand Collection hotels and in Premium Gold in Havana, and our concierge service is well aware of them and they will do their utmost to prioritize our guests.

4. What else is new with IBEROSTAR?

Zaldivar: We have a new resort opening this winter, the Premium Gold IBEROSTAR Playa Pilar in Cayo Coco. It’s a brand new hotel with great facilities for families, including a waterpark for kids and a relaxing spa for mom and dad. And of course this resort is located on the most stunning beach in this destination.

5. How did the Canadian market perform over the winter and what’s the outlook for the months ahead?

Zaldivar: Canada continues to grow for IBEROSTAR. We have a solid repeat clientele and that’s our best word-of-mouth advertising. Travel agents love to have satisfied clients, and we can’t thank them enough for their confidence in selling our brand. It was a long winter, so this helped as well. Looking ahead to the summer we count on all our family-friendly resorts to be ready for the school holidays. And of course the wedding season is very strong especially in April and May, and that definitely makes our average occupancy grow.