With the 5th edition of SDQ MICE 2025 just around the corner, Santiago de los Caballeros is positioning itself as an increasingly strong destination in meetings tourism, with the announcement by the Hodelpa Gran Almirante of an investment of RD$44 million to transform its convention center, a sign of confidence in the city's potential as a hub for congresses and corporate events.
The renovation aims to meet the growing demand from the corporate and cultural sectors in the city. Various voices, such as that of the Santiago Hotel and Tourism Association (ASHOTESA), had highlighted the need for modern and competitive spaces to attract international conferences and boost the local economy.
With this investment, the Hodelpa Gran Almirante joins the existing infrastructure in Santiago, which includes the UTESA Convention Center and the Gran Teatro del Cibao, expanding the options for large-scale events.
Convention centers in Santiago
| Convention Center | Approximate capacity |
| Hodelpa Gran Almirante | 800 people |
| UTESA Convention Center | 1,200 people |
| Gran Teatro del Cibao | 1,600 people |
The local and geographical impact
Santiago has a growing infrastructure to host high-level conferences, exhibitions and events; however, the Gran Almirante convention center remains the only one with 2,000 square meters inside a hotel, giving it a privileged strategic position to further integrate into the MICE circuit.
Currently, the Gran Almirante offers nine halls with a capacity of up to 800 people, and the renovation will feature modern, bright spaces, emphasizing the use of natural materials and a palette of earth tones, grays, and browns to create a warm atmosphere. A freight elevator will also be installed to improve event setup logistics.
Jessica Aja, Executive Vice President of Hodelpa Hotels, highlighted that “with this investment, we not only strengthen our leadership in the sector, but also boost Santiago's competitiveness as a world-class destination for conventions and business tourism,” a vision shared by industry stakeholders who have long demanded more robust and modern infrastructure to capitalize on the boom in corporate tourism in the region.
Thanks to this strategic move, Santiago consolidates its position in the Dominican Republic's MICE market, with a growing institutional offering. Now, with the addition of the Hodelpa Gran Almirante, the city is better equipped to attract major congresses and events. This investment is a vote of confidence that reinforces the idea that Santiago can compete as a regional and international destination for meetings and business events.
