Government to seek alternative location for convention center if legal dispute persists

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic aims to construct a state-of-the-art convention center at the site of the former Hotel Hispaniola, designed to accommodate over 2,000 attendees for business fairs, conventions, and meetings. However, the project faces delays due to ongoing legal disputes over the property involving multiple businessmen.

Tourism Minister David Collado announced that President Luis Abinader has appointed legal representatives to negotiate a resolution. While optimistic about an agreement, Collado noted that if no solution is reached by January 2025, the government will identify an alternative location. The need for such a facility is critical, as the National District currently lacks venues capable of hosting events for 1,800 to 2,000 participants.

To ensure world-class standards, the government has engaged IFEMA, the organizers of Spain’s renowned International Tourism Fair (Fitur), to oversee planning and logistics. The Hotel Hispaniola, originally built in 1955 to host visitors for the Free World Peace and Brotherhood Fair, has long been a notable site, adding historical significance to the proposed project.