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BiggerDominican Republic aims to expand tourism with new open skies agreements
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is taking steps to boost global tourism by attending ICAN 2024, the largest air services negotiation event organized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Led by Civil Aviation Board (JAC) president Héctor Porcella, the country aims to sign Open Skies agreements with 10 countries, including Argentina and several African nations.
Porcella emphasized that, as a major Latin American tourist destination, second only to Mexico, the Dominican Republic needs a competitive aviation system to sustain growth. The Open Skies agreements will increase air connectivity, allowing airlines to introduce new routes without restrictions on frequency or capacity.
Additionally, the Open Skies agreement with the United States is expected to take effect early next year, pending approval by the Constitutional Court and National Congress.
The DR should try to pursue an open skies agreement with Brazil now that both nations have visa-free travel with one another. Brazil is a country with more than 200 million people and a $2.3 trillion GDP. There’s HUGE opportunity there for tourism, trade, and investment.