The participation seeks to attract more Paraguayan travelers and broaden interest in Puerto Plata, Samaná, Bayahíbe, La Romana and Santo Domingo, beyond Punta Cana
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – The Dominican Republic participated as a guest country in the 21st edition of the International Tourism Fair of Paraguay (FITPAR 2026), with the aim of strengthening its presence in that market, attracting new visitors and diversifying the promotion of its tourist attractions.
The event was held from October 16 to 18 at the Mariscal Convention Center in Asunción, where companies, institutions, travel agencies and representatives from different markets met to present destinations and establish business opportunities.
Reina Olivares, representative of the Dominican Republic Tourism Office in Argentina for Uruguay and Paraguay, highlighted that the country returned to this fair after the pandemic, this time with a special participation as a guest.
In that context, he explained that one of the main purposes is to increase the arrival of Paraguayan tourists and expand knowledge about the national offer, which is traditionally associated with Punta Cana.
Therefore, he highlighted the potential of other destinations, such as Puerto Plata, Samaná, Bayahíbe, La Romana and Santo Domingo, which offer beach, culture, history and nature experiences to diversify travelers' options.
FITPAR, a space to promote destinations and generate business
The International Tourism Fair of Paraguay is an event organized by the Paraguayan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism Companies (Asatur), with the support of the National Tourism Secretariat (Senatur) and Itaipu Binacional.
Its purpose is to bring together professionals, companies, institutions and potential travelers to present destinations, market vacation packages, establish contacts and foster agreements between the actors in the tourism industry.
In addition to the exhibition areas, the program includes talks, training sessions, gastronomic and cultural displays, professional meetings and business roundtables, with activities aimed at both the specialized sector and the general public.
In this edition, the president of Asatur and director of FITPAR, Rosanna Fustagno, highlighted the participation of more than 600 exhibitors, 300 brands and representatives from 11 countries, according to data released by the organizers.
In this way, the Dominican Republic's presence as the guest country offered an opportunity to give greater visibility to its attractions and establish links with agencies and operators that can contribute to marketing tourist packages to the Caribbean.
Furthermore, air connectivity between both markets is a favorable factor in stimulating travel from Paraguay and facilitating access to different national destinations.
Tourism promotion and its impact on the Dominican economy
Participation in international events such as FITPAR can help the Dominican Republic diversify its source markets, strengthen relationships with travel agencies, and open new marketing avenues.
In economic terms, the increase in visitor arrivals can benefit not only hotels and accommodation establishments, but also restaurants, transport companies, shops, tour guides and tour operators.
Similarly, traveler spending helps generate foreign exchange, while the demand for goods and services boosts employment and stimulates other productive activities, including agriculture, construction, and trade.
Added to this is the possibility of better distributing the benefits of the tourism industry among different provinces and communities, through the promotion of destinations that complement the offering of Punta Cana.
With its participation in FITPAR 2026, the Dominican Republic aims to strengthen its position in the Paraguayan market and showcase an offering that combines beaches, historical heritage, gastronomy, nature, and culture. In this way, the country seeks to expand its commercial reach and attract new segments of travelers interested in exploring beyond its traditional destinations.
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