SAMANÁ. – The Samaná Tourism Cluster (CTS) and the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Samaná (AHETSA) held the X meeting for the Tourism Development of Samaná, where the topic of "Tourism + Innovation" was discussed.
The president of the CTS, Javier Lara Reinhold, stated that Samaná is a tourist destination that has developed its own personality and identity, distinct from other destinations in the country. "With a model characterized by being completely integrated with local communities, where there is no barrier between the town and tourist properties, but rather a symbiosis has been formed.".
For his part, Abelardo Melgen Acra, president of AHETSA, emphasized that Samaná is the destination with the greatest natural beauty, diversity, and potential in the country. "A destination ready for takeoff; unique, unlike any other, which contributes to a multi-destination strategy that the country so desperately needs to expand its offerings and increase the average length of stay.".
The speakers included Jacqueline Mora, Technical Vice Minister of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, who spoke on the topic "Samaná: one destination and many experiences"; Josep Riudavets, founder and consultant in organizational agility at Onemap, who gave the presentation "Business Agility: Reducing Organizational Complexity"; and Patricia Yunén Latour, business and comprehensive digital marketing consultant at Growth Digital, who spoke on "Boosting Demand Generation and Understanding the Market with AI".
Abelardo Melgen Acra, Juan Bancalari and Javier Lara Reinhold. (EXTERNAL SOURCE).
During the event, Juan Bancalari, former president of AHETSA, and Jesús Durán, former president of the Samaná Tourism Cluster, were recognized for their leadership and career achievements, and for the excellent work they carried out in these organizations, such as the implementation of the projects included in the Samaná Tourism Development Plan, a joint effort with the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), mayors, and municipal district directors of the province.
Similarly, recognition was given to the mayor of the year 2024, Eduardo Esteban, mayor of the Las Terrenas Municipality, and to the municipal district director of the year 2024, Luis Felipe Fermín, director of the Arroyo Barril Municipal District.
In addition, Bahía Príncipe Grand Portillo was recognized for its 2024 business tourism sustainability award in the large company category
The event was sponsored by Banco Popular Dominicano, Grupo Piñero, Banreservas, W2M Dominicana, Bonita Group, Sunset Estates International, Instituto de Formación Técnico Profesional (INFOTEP), Bancalari, Corredores de Seguros, Hospitality Management Solutions, MINT, Luz y Fuerza Las Terrenas, Hacienda Samaná Bay, AERODOM, Xeliter, Montval Ingeniería, INDUSNIG, Wendy Marte Abogados, BIGENTIK Group, Donoma, Rincón Bay, Bio Chalet Tropical, Viva by Wyndham All-Inclusive Resorts, Hotel Playa Colibrí, Runners Adventures, Sublime Samaná, Guzmán Ariza Abogados y Consultores, Cap El Limón, Catrain & Vega, LMC Constructora, Legal Unit of Properties Analysis, Rancho El Limón Adventures, Restaurante Bamboulá, Comercial de León Marte, Willmore Phipps & Asociados, and Brugal.
