DATE to bring together key players in the tourism industry with tour operators and outbound markets

Dominican Republic, April 2023 – The Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) trade fair is presenting the product of the Caribbean’s leading tourist destination, the Dominican Republic, to be held at the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort Convention Center from April 26 to 28 in Punta Cana.

DATE, in its XXIII edition, connects tourism companies established in the country, such as hotels and tour operators, with international buyers from the main issuing markets, who have already confirmed their presence through a dynamic platform of appointments and business rounds.

In addition to the negotiations scheduled to take place, DATE brings together important international participants, senior executives from the public and private sectors representing the industry in the country, renowned national and international press, as well as an agenda consisting of more than 17 press conferences, agreement signings and social activities.

The dynamic initiative of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic, ASONAHORES, is supported by the Ministry of Tourism through the participation of more than 20 Tourism Promotion Offices, OPT’s, which will be present at this venue, to continue promoting the sector that constitutes one of the main economic activities of the country, considered a leader in attracting foreign direct investment in the Caribbean.

The Dominican success in the management of tourism in the crisis is confirmed by an 11% growth of tourist arrivals by air in 2022; 7.1 million compared to 2019 when 6.4 million were received, in addition to 1.3 million cruise passengers, which exceeds the 1.1 million received in 2019.

The top five markets in order of importance were the United States (32.3%), Canada (15.8%), Colombia (5.3%), Argentina (2.5%) and Germany (2.3%).

Following the international recognition received as the first destination to recover tourism operations after the Covid-19 crisis, after the government adopted a series of measures to guarantee the safety of locals and foreigners, the Dominican Republic exhibited an extraordinary growth in air travel and cruise ship visitors, attracted by the international prestige gained.

In its 23rd edition, it will be sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, MITUR; Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, venue of the DATE; Dreams Flora Resort & Spa, venue of the opening ceremony, Wednesday 26; Katmandú Park, venue of the Dominican night, Thursday 27; Grupo Puntacana, which also hosts the DATE international press agenda, Monday 24; Temptation Miches Resort, with a cocktail reception on Tuesday, April 25; Renny Travel, responsible for the official transportation of the event; Banco Popular Dominicano; Meliá Hotels International; Banco BHD; IMCA; Finamer Business Corp.Riu Hotels & Resorts; Consorcio Energético Punta Cana-Macao (CEPM); Banreservas; Codelpa; Grupo Martinon; Bandex, VisaNet Dominicana; Banesco; Claro Dominicana.

About DATE

DATE is the main platform for business meetings between travel agents, international tour operators and the main suppliers of the tourism industry in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican tourism at the forefront

With a proposal of more than 86 thousand rooms in 425 hotels, most of them distributed in 5 tourist regions operated mainly by renowned international hotel chains, it also includes a cruise destination with 5 ports oriented to this activity, and another 2 under construction, business tourism, gastronomy, weddings, excursions, history, culture, parks and entertainment, and a wide range of amusements.

Three new tourist zones are currently being developed in the East, Miches, in the North, Punta Bergantín, and in the Southwest, Cabo Rojo, in Pedernales; in addition, the opening of El Dorado Park, the largest water theme park in the Caribbean, has been announced, while Katmandu in Punta Cana, already in operation, will exclusively receive all DATE participants on Thursday, April 27, within the framework of DATE2023.

About ASONAHORES

The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) is a non-profit organization that brings together all the actors of the tourism industry in the country. It carries out actions before public and private organizations to promote the development of tourism as one of the fundamental sectors of the economy.