Readers’ Choice 2008 Picks the Dominican Republic as “Best Caribbean Destination”

Diversity, a sustainable profile and high standards for quality are what made Readers’ Choice voters choose the Dominican Republic as the “Best Caribbean Destination” of 2008. The Readers Choice Awards are an annual occurrence as part of the famous Condé Nast magazine Travel Weekly.

“Este es verdaderamente un reconocimiento a la especial y balanceada oferta turística de nuestra hermosa nación”, indicaron a los asistentes.

Readers and experts of this specialized travel magazine, the vast majority of whom are travel experts, released the results of their selections at a gala celebration at the elegant Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Deputy Tourism Ministers, Fausto Fernandez and Magaly Toribio attended the event accompanied by the Director of the New York Tourism Promotion Office, Lucien Echavarria. They received the award in the name of the Dominican Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García, according to the Ministry’s Office of Press and Communications.

Upon receiving the news, the Dominican delegation was delighted with this important honor. They issued a statement in the name of the Tourism Minister, saying that “the most knowledgeable professionals in the travel industry have chosen the Dominican Republic as the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean.”

“It is truly a special recognition of the extraordinary and well-balanced tourism offerings available in our beautiful country,” said one of the Dominican officials at the event.

Expressing appreciation in the name of the Dominican Tourism Minister and Ministry, they pointed out that more than a million US tourists visit the DR yearly, attracted by its luxury hotels, golf courses and fascinating eco-tourism spots on offer in “our gorgeous country.”

According to the experts who vote for the annual Readers’ Choice picks, they make their choice by looking at those destinations that combine the highest standards of excellence with other products and tourism services.

Winners of the Travel Weekly magazine award represent “the best of the best” in the travel industry. They were chosen by the readers of Travel Weekly magazine after a series of voting rounds.

The award is presented annually to tourism industry providers who have supplied products and services throughout the previous year. In the case of the 2008 awards, voting began last summer.

“The arduous work of the travel organizations and professionals of the Dominican Republic has paid off,” said Arnie Weissmann, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Weekly.

Professionals and readers of Travel Weekly are consumers and travelers with access to feedback from millions of other consumers who share their personal knowledge and experience. Based on this exchange of feedback, they chose the Dominican Republic as number one in the Caribbean this year, above all other islands.

Magaly Toribio, Fausto Fernández and Lucien Echavarría as they receive the “Best Caribbean Destination” Award in New York City.