Federation of British Tour Operators Congratulates Dominicans for Their Quality Hotels and Tourism Areas

Tourism Minister Announces Broadening Agreements with Main British Tour Operators Traveling to Dominican Republic and That He Plans to Double Advertising Investment in This Market

FTO of the United Kingdom congratulated the Dominican Republic for substantial improvements in hotels and tourism areas around the country

The Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) of the United Kingdom congratulated the Dominican Republic for substantial improvements in hotels and tourism areas around the country which will likely contribute to an increasing number of Britons who will choose the DR when it comes time to plan their vacations.

Andrew Cooper, President of the FTO, presented his organization´s views to Dominican Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García at the World Travel Market (WTM) 2008 which has been going on in London since last Monday and will continue through Wednesday.

Responding to the FTO comments, the Dominican Tourism Minister promised to keep up government and private sector efforts and continue to offer the DR as a high quality tourism destination to the international market especially in the area of security and health.

Cooper, FTO chief, underscored the decisive role played in recent years by the joint efforts made by the FTO and the Dominican Tourism Ministry (SECTUR) in the country´s main tourism areas.

He added that the Dominican Republic can benefit from the current global economic crisis due to the fact that many people are looking for high quality all-inclusive getaways such as the DR.

Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García cited a 3.6% increase in foreign visitors to the DR between January and September 2008, compared to the same time last year.

He noted that recently SECTUR had approved projects totaling more than $7 billion dollars in investment which confirms that tourism is the most economically consolidated sector in the national economy.

More Cooperation, More Promotion

Mr. García also held a meeting with executives from the TUI Group which, with their Thomson and First Choice brands, is currently the main British tour operator in the Dominican market. At the meeting, García announced that SECTUR will follow-up and increment cooperation agreements with the TUI Travel Group PLC.

At the meeting, the Minister said his office will maintain current cooperation agreements with this tour operator. He added that in 2009 and 2010 the percentages earned by the operators will increase based on incentives resulting from the number of passengers brought to the Dominican Republic.

He assured the tour operators that SECTUR will double its investment in institutional advertising in order to stimulate demand and counteract the effects of the financial crisis in the British market.

Meeting With the British Press

As part of the WTM, the Office of Tourism Promotion (OTP) organized a meeting with the British press which 15 of the country´s important news agencies attended.

The agencies in attendance who interviewed Minister García Fernández included EFE, the Excelencias Group (Caribbean News Digital) and the CTO.

On Tuesday the WTM schedule included a UNTWO Ministers Meeting.

The SECTUR delegation at the fair is headed by Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, and the Dominican OTP in London under its Director, Sabrina Cambiaso. The private sector is represented by the President of ASONAHORES, Haydeé Kuret de Rainieri, and representatives from the following companies: Amhsa Marina Hotels & Resorts, Best Hotels, Caribbean Nexos Tours, Cocotours, Colony Bay Resort, Coral Hospitality Corp, Domitur, Edén Real Arena, Go Caribic S.A., Hola Tours, Luxury Retreats At Cap Cana, Majestic Resorts, Oasis Hotels & Resorts, Occidental Hotels, Punta Cana Resort and Club, The Westin Roco Ki, Tropical Clubs, Vik Hotels, VIP Travel Services and Viva Wyndham Resorts.

Andrew Cooper, President of the FTO, speaks with Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.

Andrew Cooper, President of the FTO with Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.

Press and Communications Office