SANTO DOMINGO. – After more than three decades of demands from the tourism industry, planning, threats and negotiations, the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, confirmed that the bidding process for the construction of the new Santo Domingo Convention Center will begin on January 2, 2026.
The bidding process represents the starting point for realizing a project long awaited by the tourism sector and the country, which will have a privileged location, international advice, public support and a MICE strategy that positions the city of Santo Domingo to become the new regional epicenter of local and international congresses and exhibitions.
Origin and development of the project
The idea of building a convention center in Santo Domingo has been brewing for decades. In the past, the grounds of the former Hotel Hispaniola, declared of public utility by presidential decree, were considered, but the project stalled due to legal disputes between landowners.
Then, after intense negotiations, the Government reached an agreement with Central Romana Corporation to acquire the land of the former Hotel Santo Domingo, located in front of the Malecón and closed since 2013. The purchase contract covers an area of 34,000 square meters, which will serve as the basis for the project.
Expert advice and strategic approach
The project has the technical support of the Madrid Trade Fair Institution (Ifema), organizer of the International Tourism Fair (Fitur), which advises on every step of the design and planning to ensure that the center meets international standards.
The goal is to create a multifunctional space, not only for conventions but also for exhibitions, in order to position Dominican products in the international market and strengthen MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions).
A new “meeting district” in the capital
The Executive Branch anticipates that this venue will be part of a revamped "meetings and convention district," in an area that includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Police conference spaces, and other related centers, taking advantage of its strategic location in the city.
Both President Luis Abinader and Minister Collado agreed that this will be a historic milestone for tourism in the Dominican Republic. Asonahores (National Association of Hotels and Restaurants) celebrated the announcement, noting that it fulfills a long-awaited demand from the sector.
