Punta Cana.- The Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) 2025, the premier event for promoting the country’s tourism industry, is set to host over 7,000 business meetings from May 14–16 at the Barceló Convention Center in Punta Cana. Organized by Asonahores, the fair will gather more than 500 national and international delegates, reinforcing its role as a major driver of hotel occupancy and tourism development.
Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of Asonahores, emphasized DATE’s unique format, where global tour operators visit the Dominican Republic instead of the other way around. This setup enables firsthand experiences of the country’s diverse tourism offerings—from luxury, historical, and religious tourism to eco, adventure, and business travel. International buyers from over 15 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Spain, will also participate in familiarization trips to explore destinations like Miches, Samaná, Puerto Plata, and Santo Domingo.
Following a record-breaking DATE 2024, which hosted 8,500 business meetings and 840 participants, organizers aim to surpass those achievements. Lendor noted the strategic need to attract more specialized travel agencies to accommodate the expanding variety of Dominican tourism experiences.