First Time Participation of the Dominican Republic as a Partner Nation in World-Renowned Tourism Fair FITUR 2019

Madrid, Spain, January 28, 2019 – The Dominican Republic once again had a successful participation in the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) held in the Spanish capital in late January. During the Fair, the country signed important agreements with international airlines, foreign investors and tour operators. At the same time, Dominican officials announced the construction of eight new hotels in different regions of the country.
For the first time, the Dominican Republic participated as a partner nation in this, the 39th annual edition of FITUR 2019. The event has always been an excellent platform for the promotion of the country as a key tourism destination. During its participation, the Dominican Republic once again confirmed that the tourism industry as the country’s principal economic activity.
Dominican Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier García Fernández said the country’s participation in FITUR 2019 was a tremendous success. During the event, he announced the construction of seven new hotels as well as an additional project that will be built by the Venezuelan Velutini Group.
The agreement signed between the Velutini Group and IEMCA includes the construction of 1,020 new hotel rooms in the tourism complex Playa Dorada, situated in the north coast city of Puerto Plata. The cost of the overall project is valued at US$100 million. The project will significantly impact the region’s economy.
During the FITUR 2019 Fair, the D.R. and Iberia Airlines signed an agreement that will promote the country in European media outlets.
This particular year, the Dominican Republic was distinguished during the international fair as the first Caribbean country to become a FITUR partner. This strategic alliance served as a platform to promote the Dominican Republic throughout the event, including in official documents, magazines, banners and billboards, not only in the convention center where the fair was being held but also in the city’s main avenues and buses.
All these positive results reveal the successful agenda promoted by the country’s Minister of Tourism during the Fair, which took place this past January 23-27.
This year, the FITUR event received more sector-related participants and exhibits than in all of its history. Approximately 10,500 companies from 165 countries participated in the Fair.
The director of the DominicanTourism Promotion Office for Spain and Portugal, Karyna Font-Bernard, indicated that the “…results of the Fair could not be more beneficial to the country…”
The Dominican fair stand was one of the most visited during the event by persons interested in the multiple tourism packages the country offers.
Ms. Font-Bernard also explained that all participating hotel groups, as well as the national banking sector and other key sector representatives that participated in the Dominican stand reported having carried out important meetings and discussions on investment opportunities that will bring even more tourists to the country.