SANTO DOMINGO. – The Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster (CTSD) presented its new Board of Directors for the 2025-2027 term during a cocktail reception attended by prominent figures from the tourism and environmental sectors, travel agencies, government ministers, business leaders, and media representatives.
The organization will be chaired by Juan Manuel Martín de Oliva, Vice President of Tourism Business at Banco Popular Dominicano.
In his speech, Oliva announced that his three main priorities as a roadmap for his administration are: to promote Santo Domingo as the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean, to support the construction of the Santo Domingo Convention Center, and to continue promoting Santo Domingo as a city with great tourist appeal.
"Here we have the talent, the products and the stories to become an international culinary destination of reference, but beyond cultural pride, this represents a huge economic opportunity: a city positioned gastronomically attracts more visitors, prolongs stays and boosts consumption, activating a value chain that directly impacts small and medium-sized entrepreneurs," he explained.
Martín de Oliva also emphasized the importance of the Santo Domingo Convention Center project. "This project is not simply an infrastructure project; it is a statement of the city's vision.".
In his view, the world's major capitals that are committed to sustainable, inclusive, and competitive development have modern convention centers, well-located and connected to their hotel, cultural, and gastronomic offerings. "Santo Domingo cannot be the exception. Our strategic location in the Caribbean, air connectivity, history, human capital, and growing hotel offerings place us in a privileged position to become a regional hub for congresses, trade fairs, conventions, and international events.".
The new CTSD president reaffirmed his commitment to the First City of the Americas, recognizing the progress in the Colonial City as key steps towards achieving the city model we aspire to.
As part of his work plan, he announced the creation of thematic committees in key areas such as hotels, investment, governance, infrastructure, restaurants and bars, security, health, communications, travel agencies, tour operators, legal affairs, and community relations. In addition, programs such as 'Leaders Training Leaders,' 'Turizoneando,' the Public-Private Working Groups, the Comprehensive Tourism Security Roundtable, and 'Hosts in Santo Domingo' will be strengthened
The president of the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster highlighted the support of his wife, Theresa, and his children, to whom he says he owes his commitment to working with integrity and vision. He added that he must repay, through his actions, all that this country has given him over the past 27 years. He also thanked the cluster's board and all its members for their trust, assuring them that they will have a leadership that is approachable, participatory, transparent, and results-oriented.
He highlighted the support of Banco Popular Dominicano, an institution he has been part of for 27 years. "The fact that the Bank is allowing one of its executives to assume the presidency of the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster is not a minor gesture, but a clear sign of its sensitivity towards this sector, of its historical commitment to the development of national tourism, and explains why, rightfully, it has been recognized as the bank of tourism in the Dominican Republic.".
The Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster is a non-profit organization based on a public-private partnership. Active participants in this partnership include the Ministries of Tourism, Culture, and Environment; the National District Mayor's Office and the Greater Santo Domingo Metropolitan Area Authority; universities; businesses, associations, and guilds across the tourism value chain in Greater Santo Domingo.
