The new route aims to boost tourism and business exchange between Italy and the Dominican Republic. As part of the cooperation initiatives, 20 Politur agents will receive Italian language training to improve assistance to European visitors
SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic and Italy will expand their air transport links with the launch of a direct flight between Rome and Santo Domingo, scheduled to begin on November 30, 2026. The new connection will facilitate travel for tourists and businesspeople, while also opening opportunities to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two nations. The announcement was made by the Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Sergio Maffettone, who explained that this initiative is part of a bilateral rapprochement agenda that includes actions to promote tourism, attract investment, and foster cultural cooperation.
During an event held at Casa de Italia, the diplomat specified that the route will be incorporated into the transportation options that link Italy with Dominican destinations such as Punta Cana and La Romana, in addition to air services with Milan.
Regarding the tourism market, Maffettone highlighted the growth potential of visitors from Italy, whose flow to the Dominican Republic is around 100,000 travelers annually.
"We now have around 100,000 Italian tourists arriving in the Dominican Republic each year. We expect this number to continue growing," he said.
Regarding this projection, the diplomatic representative valued the dissemination of Dominican promotional advertisements on Italian television, a strategy that contributes to publicizing national attractions and capturing the interest of new European travelers.
According to their proposals, the expansion of air connections will favor both vacations and trips linked to commercial activities and business meetings.
Business meetings open new investment opportunities
In the economic sphere, the ambassador highlighted the participation of representatives of the Dominican private sector in meetings held in Rome, including members of the Puntacana Group, the Inicia Group, linked to the Vicini family, Marrazzini and other businessmen.
Regarding these approaches, Maffettone highlighted the interest of companies from both nations in expanding their trade relations and exploring new business opportunities.
"We have important representatives of Dominican industry in Italy, as well as prominent businesspeople interested in strengthening ties between our two countries. The number of business trips and corporate visits will surely increase," he stated.
Consequently, he considered that these exchanges can contribute to identifying investment projects, establishing strategic alliances and diversifying collaborative initiatives between Dominican and Italian companies.
Politur will train 20 agents in the Italian language
As part of efforts to improve the quality of tourist services, the Italian Embassy announced the awarding of 20 scholarships for teaching the Italian language to members of the Tourist Police (Politur), with the support of Casa de Italia.
The beneficiaries provide services in areas of high tourist activity, such as the Colonial City, Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, Bayahibe and La Romana, where the language skills will facilitate communication with visitors from Italy.
The initiative was presented with the participation of the president of Casa de Italia, Angelo Viro, and the central director of Politur, General Minoru Matsunaga.
In explaining the scope of the program, Maffettone noted that the language training will enable agents to offer guidance and assistance to tourists who require support during their stay.
"Today we celebrate the start of an important joint work project with Politur, with the support of Casa de Italia, to train Dominican agents who can speak Italian and help tourists who face difficulties during their stay," he said.
The diplomat also highlighted the impact this training can have on the performance of the institution's members.
"This is important training for the police forces, because it can improve the effectiveness of the work they do every day to protect tourists," he said.
This proposal is part of the activities of the XXVI Week of the Italian Language in the World, celebrated under the motto "Lengua geniale: idear, planar, crear con el italiano" (Genial language: to devise, to plan, to create with Italian), which promotes knowledge of the language and culture of that European country.
Italy will participate as guest of honor at agricultural fair
On the other hand, Maffettone reported that Italy will be the guest of honor at an agricultural fair scheduled from March 4 to 14, 2027 in the Dominican Republic.
The meeting will serve as a platform to present business opportunities, encourage exchange between producers and entrepreneurs, and explore new alternatives for cooperation in the agricultural sector.
Similarly, the Italian representative acknowledged the work of the Dominican Embassy in Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) and the national diaspora in organizing initiatives such as Dominican Week in Italy, aimed at promoting the country's image and strengthening economic and cultural ties.
Both countries plan to expand their cooperation agenda
On the institutional level, the ambassador announced that a bilateral political dialogue mechanism is planned for the end of 2026 in Dominican territory, with the purpose of deepening issues of common interest and exploring new areas of collaboration.
"At the end of the year we will also have a bilateral political dialogue here in the Dominican Republic. It is possible that we will expand the cultural offerings of both countries," he noted.
Finally, Maffettone reaffirmed Italy's willingness to continue strengthening its relations with the Dominican Republic through initiatives that integrate tourism, trade, investment, institutional cooperation, and cultural promotion.
"We all know how important the tourism sector is to the Dominican Republic. That's why Italy is willing to strengthen its ties with the country," he concluded.
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