With a jolly David Collado, Minister of Tourism, highlighting the warmth of the Dominican people and with a colorful stand representing Caribbean scenes, the Dominican Republic showcased its charming destinations yesterday, as the 43rd edition of Fitur, the International Tourism Fair, organized by IFEMA MADRID, was inaugurated.
“You can arrive in the Dominican Republic wearing a Rolex or a Casio,” joked the Dominican Minister of Tourism, alluding to Shakira’s popular latest song. “We are an open country, with good people, who welcome tourists with a smile.”.
Collado inaugurated the Dominican stand accompanied by the president of Banco Popular, Cristopher Paniagua; the general manager of Banco de Reservas, Samuel Pereyra; the president of the Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES), David Llibre, as well as the Dominican ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Juan Bolívar Díaz, also prominent businessmen linked to the country's tourism sector and other Dominican authorities present at the event.
The official will hold more than 60 meetings at Fitur, where he will finalize agreements with airlines, tour operators, new hotels and tourism investments, according to a statement.
The King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Letizia Ortiz, who inaugurated the event, visited the Dominican Republic stand, which features more than 50 companies linked to the national tourism sector.
“Our goal is for the Dominican Republic to remain the benchmark for tourism in the continent, which is why we will continue to innovate and will complete an agenda of more than 60 meetings this week where we will close agreements with airlines, new hotels and tourism investments, as well as tour operators, so that we can continue to boost the arrival of tourists to our country,” Collado highlighted during the opening of the stand at FITUR.
Agreements
Among the agreements and announcements made yesterday, Wednesday, the new investment to be developed in Macao, La Altagracia province, in the eastern part of the country, by the Pioneer Group, stands out. They will begin construction of a luxury hotel in that destination.
Also included were the signing of agreements with the airline Iberia, the El Corte Inglés Travel Agency, the airline Tui, and meetings with the tour operators World 2 Fly and World 2 Meet, as well as with the online travel platform E dreams.
The Dominican stand showcases cultural spaces and craft exhibits, in addition to the presence of national products such as coffee, tobacco, chocolate and rum.
Among those attending the opening of the stand were Gabriel Escarrer, from Grupo Melía; Encarna Piñeiro, from Imberhotel; Frank Rainieri and Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, from Grupo Punta Cana; Adriana Cisneros, from Grupo Cisneros, as well as Juan Vicini, Héctor José Rizek, Carlos José Martí, among others.
Real Estate Agencies
Tu CasaRD, Remax, Noval Properties and Mr Home are present at the exhibition, showcasing the luxurious properties that the country has to offer investors.
About Fitur
From Wednesday the 18th until next Sunday the 22nd, a total of 8,500 participants, 131 countries and 755 main exhibitors make up the new edition of the giant exhibition, a business space where participating nations showcase their attractions.
This year, an attendance of around 120,000 professionals and nearly 90,000 general public visitors is expected at this edition, which has Guatemala as FITUR's Partner Country.
FITUR in 2023 achieved a record exhibition area, with 8 halls full, as well as the direct participation of stand owners (755) which grew by 32% compared to the previous edition and up to 50% in terms of international participation.
Regarding attendance forecasts, and in line with the very positive response in terms of participation, a significant turnout is expected, with figures exceeding 120,000 professionals, and between 80,000 and 90,000 visitors expected over the weekend.
This will also have its counterpart in FITUR's ability to generate a significant economic boost for Madrid, with estimated revenues of more than 400 million euros in the region in sectors such as accommodation, transport, commerce, leisure and restaurants, etc.
