Houston, TX, December 2, 2014 – With an eye towards the World Travel Market's recently released 2015 trends report, industry leaders are expanding upon the report's findings to develop and implement strategies to grow business and appeal to travelers' interests next year.

Celebrating 25 years at the forefront of the travel sphere, Prohotel International, a groundbreaking Houston-based hotel sales and marketing firm, is renowned for the iconic, bold designs and authentic, inspired guest experiences at properties throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

With the group's 13-room Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge recently named the number one hotel in the Caribbean and Atlantic region in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards, Prohotel's travel specialists are sharing their insight into the top emerging trends that will redefine the traveler's experience in 2015.

2015 Guide to Incentivized “Braggies,” Cultured Caribbean, The Mini-Trip and More

1. Social Media Incentives from the “Braggie” to the Wedding Hashtag – The social media boom is in full swing with hotels and travel companies now incentivizing guests to post “braggies” during their stay. Promoting the hotel's brand, these guest images taken at the property and posted to social media hold the infinite potential to increase awareness for a property and destination among an established audience.

Casas del XVI, Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences and Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, all in the Dominican Republic and The Lodge at Pico Bonito in Honduras, are announcing new social media incentives for 2015.

Social Media Bank

For all guests who geo-tag and tag the hotel (@SublimeSamana, @PicoBonito, @CasaBonitard, @CasasdelXVI) in their Instagram photos taken while at the property, the hotels will provide a percentage off the best available room rates for a future stay. See the details and restrictions below:

- 2% off per photo taken at hotel and uploaded to Instagram tagging the hotel

- Additional 1% off for every 10 likes the photo received

- A max of up to 15% off may be accumulated through number of photos posted and accrued likes.

- Valid for original stays and postings made in 2015. Future stay must be made within 12 months of original stay to receive discount.

- Subject to availability and blackout dates apply. Based on double occupancy. May not be combined with any other rate or package options and not applicable for existing reservations.

Wedding Hashtags Bring Newly Weds An Extra Gift

With more couples now opting for a personalized wedding hashtag so that their guests can easily find all of the Instagram photos of their special day, Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences and The Lodge at Pico Bonito are allowing guests to give the wedding couple another special gift. For ever 30 Instagram photos tagging the hotel and with the wedding's hashtag, the wedding couple will receive one complimentary night towards an anniversary trip. Details and restrictions are below:

- A maximum of 3 nights may be accrued

- Subject to availability and blackout dates apply. Based on double occupancy. May not be combined with any other rate and package options and not applicable for existing reservations. Applicable to One Bedroom Suite (Sublime Samana) and Superior Cabin (Pico Bonito) only.

- Anniversary trip must be taken within 12 months of wedding

2. Cultured Caribbean – 2015 will be marked by a surge of interest in the authentic, culture that the Caribbean islands have to offer. Hotels like the seven room, Casas del XVI in Santo Domingo's Ciudad Colonial, are popping up in historic hotspots and delivering an authentic, intimate experience to draw a new demographic of travelers to the region. Boasting a plethora of monuments dating back to the sixteenth century, museums, restaurants and chic, luxurious accommodations, Santo Domingo is the cultural epicenter of the Caribbean – offering an experience en par with some of the great cities of Europe and South America.

Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences on the Dominican Republic's northeastern Samaná Peninsula also offers guests the opportunity to venture with the Chef to visit the local beachside fish market. Travelers bask in the authenticity of the experience, returning from the market and a local organic garden to enjoy a cooking course in an outdoor kitchen just steps from the sand.

3. The Mini-Trip – With Generation Y now among the workforce, the Caribbean mini-trip will become a hit for those seeking an easy escape – particularly in geographic regions offering easy access. After all, it takes just about the same amount of time to fly to the Dominican Republic as it does to drive from New York City to Vermont. Affluent professionals of all generations will take advantage of the opportunity to fully retreat on three night trips that offer both a true feeling of escape and ease of travel.

4. Cheap and Chic Boutique Experiences – In 2015, travelers from all over the world will focus both on quality and value in making vacation plans. The WTM report sites a focus on “cheap and chic” hotels as popular among all generations, particularly Generation Y, born between 1981 and 1990. Properties such as The Lodge at Pico Bonito in Honduras, Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic and the eco-friendly, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge on the Dominican's southwestern coast, offer delectable cuisine, chic, spacious accommodations and plenty of adventure opportunities for incredible value without sacrificing authenticity or intimacy. 

5. Ecotourism Becomes Mainstream – For years, hotels around the world have implemented initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint. Featuring its own hydroelectric plant, an extensive organic garden, eco-spa, and hiking trails, the Dominican Republic's Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is setting the trend for green hotels that go above and beyond. With the property's recent Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award and its inclusion on The New York Times' list of “52 Places to go in 2014,” Casa Bonita has taken the eco-lodge concept mainstream – elevating the eco-consciousness of travelers and bringing attention to such emerging eco-tourism hotspots as Barahona.

For more information visit www.sublimesamana.com, www.picobonito.com, www.casasdelxvi.com, and www.casabonitadr.com.

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