The newest edition of the Santo Domingo Destino Capital 2018 gathered over a hundred operators, international wholesalers, and exhibitors.

Santo Domingo. The meeting was formally inaugurated by Joel Santos, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), who spoke to more than a hundred operators, international wholesalers, exhibitors, officials of the Ministry of Tourism, and other relevant members of the tourism-economic sector of the nation.

“To work in tourism the main thing is the affinity with people and the sense of excellence, and that is one of the main characteristics of Dominicans; I could say, without fear of being mistaken, that it is our main strength as a destination,” said Joel Santos in his opening remarks.

Santos, spoke of the benefits of the city of Santo Domingo and the importance of the destination: “If I have to guide a foreigner about which places to visit in the Dominican Republic, I will begin inviting him to a tour of the majestic Colonial City, central cradle to understand the genesis of culture and history that this nation has. I have dedicated part of my life to know every corner of this country and the most valuable of all, ‘the people’, friendly and always with a smile to give the best of themselves.

The tourism expert made an open invitation: “We are much more than sun and beach because we also have rivers, mountains, history …… the Dominican Republic has it all!”

Doina de Campos, director of Santo Domingo Destino Capital, thanked the main sponsors Banco Popular Dominicano and the Catalonia chain and mentioned that the event was held in conjunction with Discover Puerto Plata, offering an interesting opportunity to present two complementary destinations in a single trip.

“For many reasons, from several countries we benefit from a borrowed tourism that we must convert into permanent tourism, multiplying the travel options to Santo Domingo and from the Capital to other destinations,” she said.

De Campos said that invited buyers are operators in general, specialists in cultural trips, circuits, thematics, events, health, weddings, and others, who receive visitors from Russia, Central Asia, China, Germany, Italy, France, French Antilles, Caribbean islands, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, Venezuela, Haiti, Canada, and the United States.

Different local tourism companies and neighboring countries of the region presented their complementary offers, significantly increasing the business options for all participants.

Xavier Pineda, Commercial Director of J.W. Marriot, together with Gianell Peña, Commercial Director of the Hotel Catalonia, presented the urban hotel and the facilities offered by the city of Santo Domingo, as an excellent destination for meetings, congresses, and conventions.

After the formal opening, two working groups followed, the first will aim to establish the “Ten Commandments of the Meeting Industry” based on a presentation by the events specialist, Elizabeth Tovar. There will be a document free to use by all professionals interested in this market niche.

The second working group, led by the tourist professional Sébastien Garcia, aims to question the participants about the origin of the colors that are attributed to various forms of tourism. These are snow white, blue for water, green of nature, orange of emotions and experiences, to determine the color that best corresponds to the meeting, corporate and pleasure industry, to create a brand.

Santo Domingo Destino Capital 2018 closes on September 2nd with a visit to the Colonial City and a tasting of Creole food at the Bar de Tapas Lulú; the launch of a gourmet coffee created by Cafe Santo Domingo and Dupuy Barcelo baptized as Cafe Santo Domingo Destino Capital.

Sponsors of Santo Domingo Destino Capital:

• Banco Popular Dominicano
• Catalonia Santo Domingo Hotel
• Logic Paq
• Colonial Tours
• The Ambassador to Royal Hideaway Hotel
• Turmaya
• Dupuy Barcelo & Company
• FunFun Caves
• Barcelo Santo Domingo Hotel
• Princess Hotels & Resorts
• CHIC Coral Hospitality Corp.
• Santo Domingo Coffee
• VDT Group
• Aerodom
• Carrefour
• Sembra Trading Group
• Viva Wyndham
• Explore Caribbean
• Country House
• Margarita Medina Creative Hands Workshop
• Sunrise Airways
• Belive Hotels
• Cappuccino Barahona,
• The Colonial Gate 4D Cinema
• The Westin Punta Cana & Club
• Air Antilles
• Hodelpa
• XL Airways
• Cristina Nuñez Dominican Craft
• Dominique Calderon
• LotIdeas
• Belcam
• Hemingway Club
• Whala Hotels
• Coca-Cola
• Dasani waters
• Impressive
• Venezuela en Todos Los Sentidos

For more information about Santo Domingo Destino Capital 2018, visit www.destinocapital.org