VP Raquel Peña: air sector vital in Tourism strengthening

Punta Cana.- Vice President Raquel Peña highlighted the significant contribution of the country’s aeronautical industry to bolstering the tourism sector and driving economic growth.

Participating in the Global Civil Aviation Implementation Symposium in Punta Cana, Vice President Peña emphasized the crucial role of air transportation in enhancing the nation’s international connectivity and solidifying its position as a key player in the regional economy.

“This forum provides an opportunity to glean insights from successful safety implementation stories, comprehend the environmental impact of air operations, and devise concrete strategies for fostering a sustainable future in the aeronautical industry,” she remarked, representing the Dominican State’s perspective on the symposium.

Initiated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) commenced on Tuesday, April 30. It aimed to urge governments to bolster aviation industry capacities to drive sustainable development and ensure equitable access to the increasing benefits of civil aviation worldwide.

ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano, alongside IDAC Director General Héctor Porcella, presided over the symposium’s opening ceremony. Sciacchitano anticipated the formalization of significant bilateral agreements between ICAO and member states during the event, focusing on initiatives such as infrastructure development, training programs, and technology exchange to further advance air transport.

Expressing gratitude to ICAO for selecting the Dominican Republic as the symposium’s venue, IDAC Director General Porcella acknowledged the honor bestowed upon the country as the first on the American continent to host such a global civil aviation gathering. “Organizing this 2024 edition of the GISS was not merely a decision of the Dominican civil aviation institute but a commitment involving the state, the private sector, and the entire Dominican aeronautical and airport industry, with the support of President Luis Abinader and Minister of Tourism David Collado,” Porcella stated.