SANTO DOMINGO.- Grupo Piñero, a leading company in the tourism sector, announced that it was awarded the European Union's EPA 2024 Awards in the Investment category, in recognition of its contribution to economic and social development through high-impact projects.
The EPA Awards, organized by the European Union with the aim of promoting and giving visibility to the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Caribbean countries, including the Dominican Republic, were presented at a gala held on Friday, November 22 in Santo Domingo.
The recognition of the winners is the result of a rigorous selection process that values business excellence. Led by a high-level Evaluation and Selection Committee, chaired by the Head of the Trade Section of the European Union Delegation, this committee is made up of key representatives from institutions such as the Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade (MICM), ProDominicana, ADOEXPO, ASIEX, the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce and Production, the Dominican Republic Services Coalition, the Eurochamber, and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), as well as the Economic and Commercial Counselors of the European Union Member States accredited in the country, according to a press release.
Katja Afheldt, Adolfo Fernández and Biviana Riveiro. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
"This diversity of perspectives ensures that the selected companies stand out not only for their European and Dominican character, but also for their impact on bilateral trade under the EPA framework, consolidating them as benchmarks in innovation, sustainability and economic development," the document explains.
“Receiving this recognition in the investment category fills us with pride and reaffirms our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. We are deeply grateful to the European Union for this distinction, which not only celebrates our track record and contributions, but also supports our purpose of contributing positively and regeneratively in all the countries where we operate,” said Luis Hermosa, Country Finance Director Dominican Republic & Shared Service Center (SSC).
Large-scale investment
Since Grupo Piñero arrived in the Dominican Republic in 1995, the company has invested over US$1.054 billion in this Caribbean nation. This investment has been fundamental to the development of cutting-edge tourism infrastructure and environmentally sustainable projects that have generated employment, development, and economic value nationwide.
Currently, Grupo Piñero has a team of over 8,600 employees in the country, 98% of whom are Dominican, solidifying its position as a key player in the tourism sector of the eastern and northern regions of the country. It operates through four divisions: Hotels, Real Estate & Golf, Tour Operations, and Mobility Incoming & Leisure, which includes Coming2 and other mobility companies such as Solbus, Embat, Turiscar, and Emos, among others.
The company's Hotel Division, through the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts brand, positions itself as the largest provider of owned beds in the Dominican Republic, with a total of 14,000 beds available for tourists.
“Thanks to the support and trust of the Dominican Republic, we as a company have been able to grow and consolidate our position in a country that is a global leader in tourism. This award motivates us to continue innovating, to strengthen our values of respect and care for the environment, and to take firm steps toward a future of responsible tourism, focused on preserving the natural environment and generating well-being for local communities,” concluded Luis Hermosa.
The event was led by the European Union Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Katja Afheldt, the Executive Director of the Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana), Biviana Riveiro, and the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development, Pavel Isa Contreras.
