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The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and Eduardo López-Puertas, Director General of IFEMA MADRID, announced their promotional plans for FITUR 2022 at a press conference last Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.

The exclusive collaboration between the “Dominican Republic Has it all” brand and FITUR’s image will enable this world-renowned Caribbean destination, with its long and solid record of participating in the Fair, to take further advantage of and capitalise on the outstanding promotional potential of this event. It will also take part in the impressive, week-long exhibition being held under the slogan “We embrace the world”, with global reach from the capital city of Madrid.

The drive behind FITUR 2022 and its notable position as a hub for the Ibero-American market offer an unbeatable context for the Dominican Republic to expand into new areas and explore new business opportunities in the European and Asian markets.

Madrid, 20 October 2021.- The next edition of the International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2022, will present the Dominican Republic as a partner country, with its participation giving it a leading role and strategic visibility to promote the destination’s many tourist attractions to the world, especially the incredibly strong language, cultural and historic ties it maintains with Spain.

This was the announcement made by the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and Eduardo López-Puertas, Director General of IFEMA MADRID, when they detailed their promotional plans for FITUR 2022 at a press conference last Tuesday in the Dominican Republic. Also in attendance at the ceremony was the country’s Minister of Tourism, David Collado, as well as directors from the largest hotel chains in the Dominican Republic, most of which are Spanish-owned.

Abinader highlighted the importance of participating in FITUR to consolidate recovery of the flow of tourism to the country — a process that has seen the Dominican Republic already exceed pre-pandemic levels — as well as the country’s commitment to the tourism industry in order to bring about a total recovery, this in a year when the Dominican Republic expects to have its best season ever.

The Director of IFEMA MADRID also highlighted the importance of collaborating with the partner country, which helps to create a strong link through the joining of the brands “Dominican Republic Has it all” and FITUR. This will enable the Caribbean destination, with its long and solid record of participating in the Fair, to take further advantage of and capitalise on the outstanding promotional potential of this global event. It will also take part in the impressive, week-long exhibition being held by FITUR under the slogan “We embrace the world”, with international exposure from the capital city of Madrid.

The concept of a FITUR Partner, which was first implemented in 2016, establishes a wide field of joint action in terms of promotion and communication, two areas of utmost importance at this grand event for the tourism industry. The event, which is organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be held from 19–23 January at the exhibition grounds of the Spanish capital.

Unbeatable expectations

This very special edition of FITUR, which is the only tourism fair in the world that was held last year despite the pandemic, has returned to continue its forward momentum with a 53% increase in attendance compared to the exceptional exhibition held in May 2021. All forecasts point to its next edition being the best yet, reinforcing its role as the world’s leading fair and the hub par excellence for the Ibero-American market.

FITUR 2022 will therefore be a lever to stimulate tourism activity at a time when there are clear signs of improvement, when travel is making a comeback and the Fair will harness all of its resources in its fundamental mission of contributing towards tourism recovery.

It is the ideal time to count on the stellar presence of the Dominican Republic, a country that has already become a global benchmark in terms of tourism recovery, where the gradual normalisation of tourism activity also includes the support of the Spanish Government’s declaration that FITUR is an Event of Exceptional Public Interest, not to mention the backing of the entire value chain of the international tourism industry. FITUR 2022 has set the stage for an exceptional exhibition to open up new avenues for expansion and business opportunities for the Dominican Republic in the European and Asian markets.

The best framework for global promotion

The celebration of FITUR in Madrid, the level of professional participation, impact and media coverage, domestically and internationally, all stand as significant added value for the large-scale promotion of the Dominican Republic in Spain. It has recently been revealed that the Caribbean destination is one of the most sought after by Spaniards, with Spain ranking in the top four countries in terms of tourism.

Therefore, under the slogan “Dominican Republic Has it all”, the country will have the best international stage from which to promote its strengths as a tourism destination, highlighting its warm climate, the hospitality of its people and its connections with more than 1400 airports in more than 170 countries, not to mention its excellent handing of the pandemic in terms of tourism and high vaccination rates for the local population and workers in the tourism industry. Its impressive hotel offering is also one of the most telling indicators of its capacity to attract tourists, which is why the most important Spanish companies are among the best positioned in the country. Moreover, both the projects undertaken and the investments that are underway serve as a clear indication that the Dominican Republic is a solid bet for the future.

The Dominican Republic’s exhibition stand will not only feature its pristine beaches, palm trees and turquoise waters, but will also highlight the best and most diverse gastronomic and cultural offerings, alongside spectacular golf courses, picturesque landscapes and the country’s increasing involvement in the Ecotourism segment, travel for conventions and incentives, and wellness tourism.

The spotlight will also be on Santo Domingo, a fun, cosmopolitan city that is home to the Ciudad Colonial historic neighbourhood, which stands as a testament to the fact that America’s discovery started with Hispaniola. What’s more, Santo Domingo has twice been recognised as the “Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean”. On the other hand we have Punta Cana, the largest centre for tourism in the country, with the best hotel services and resorts, and an international airport at the forefront of technological and global connectedness; Samaná the jewel of Dominican tourism, with its pristine nature and virgin beaches; La Romana and Bayahíbe, with the spectacular enclave of Altos de Chavón, suitable for weddings, honeymoons and family getaways; or the new tourism developments in Miches and Montecristi, which are well underway. And let’s not forget the wonderful rhythms of merengue and bachata, dances which have been declared intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and accompany tourists from sunrise to sunset.

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