The new airlines have temporarily changed the paradigm, opening up new markets in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the insular Caribbean, which will undoubtedly open up new worlds for us, with requirements and demands for recreation, commerce, health, and culture, where the exchange is bidirectional, discovering the riches and attractions of these places.
SANTO DOMINGO– New tourist trends are seeking innovative destinations where cultural and natural heritage is combined with environmental preservation and the maintenance of authentic values. If tourism continues to grow, Dominican tourism will need to adapt its current structure and embrace these new trends to enhance its offerings.
This was the reflection shared by Luis Felipe Aquino, president of the Caribbean Tourism Exchange (BTC), during the opening of the XXVI edition of the organization, which is being held until today, Saturday, October 22, in the country.
“It is clear that a projected increase in demand over a decade would make it necessary to modify and complement the current tourism structure, in accordance with the latest trends in local offerings, with a special redistribution of new flows seeking newer and more innovative destinations where natural and cultural heritage must be integrated with environmental conservation and the preservation of genuine values,” said the BTC representative.
He highlighted the opening of new, non-traditional tourism markets, where we are geographically so close and yet so far away, noting that new airlines have temporarily changed the paradigm by opening up new markets in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the insular Caribbean, which will undoubtedly open up new worlds for us, with requirements and demands for recreation, commerce, health, and culture, where the exchange is bidirectional, discovering the riches and attractions of these places.
The president of the BTC stated that the Dominican Republic is committed to quality tourism. In this regard, he specified that the Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with the private sector, has established the necessary strategies for improvements that will allow for the sustainable development of its competitive advantages as a tourism product.
The inauguration was attended by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, vice ministers of tourism, national and international tourism entrepreneurs, tour operators, hoteliers, transporters and companies in the tourism sector.
Aquino explained that the universal perception of the Dominican Republic's image as a tourist destination is one of preference, especially in the source markets of the United States, Canada, and Europe.
He said that the receptive capacity consolidates the Dominican Republic in the source markets, presenting the destination with a variety of resources as attractions that combine with the beaches.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Collado and Aquino, as well as Luisa María de Aquino, CEO of BTC, and Morena Valdez, Minister of Tourism of El Salvador, who also gave a brief speech.
About the event
The event is being held at the Dominican Fiesta Hotel until today, Saturday the 22nd, disseminating, promoting and marketing tourism offers and products for the area's markets, which offers a great opportunity to strengthen and promote commercial exchange between the public and private sectors of tourism.
This time, more than four airlines will participate - including Arajet, Air Century, Sky High, as well as Copa Airlines and Plus Ultra - which expand connectivity with the countries of Central America and Mexico, as well as with the Caribbean islands and Spain.
More than 200 local travel agencies and tour operators will participate in the business networking event, along with operators and travel agencies, which will be attended by hoteliers, transporters and companies from the tourism sector.
In addition, several countries from the region are participating, including the delegation from El Salvador, led by the El Salvador Tourism Corporation (Corsatur); as well as several hotel companies, travel agencies, and tour operators from Colombia and its Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá. Travel agencies and tour operators from Guatemala, Mexico, Ecuador, Argentina, and Peru will also be participating.
The 26th edition of the BTC is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, the Santo Domingo Hotel Association, the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, Hotel Dominican Fiesta, Travel Ace Assistance, Aerodom, Air Century, Arajet, Sky High, Promipyme, Infotep, Grabo Estilo/ Alianza Brand, AFP Popular, Gastronomía Mexicana/Centro Charro; Adavit, Adotur and the Santiago Tourism Cluster.
