Best LatAm, Caribbean 2016 golf destination: Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo(PRNewswire).– The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO)has named Dominican Republic "Best Golf Destination of Latin America andthe Caribbean 2016," in recognition of the 28 internationally renownedcourses that the country calls its own. This is the third time that DominicanRepublic has been recognized by IAGTO as an exceptional destination for thesport, with its magnificent golf courses bordering the Caribbean Sea wheregolfers can enjoy both facilities of the highest caliber and a warm climatethat allows for a unique and challenging play experience.

Dominican Republic ishonored to be recognized for the third time by the prestigious InternationalAssociation of Golf Tour Operators as the Caribbean’s top golf destination.

"DominicanRepublic is delighted to receive this award once again from such a prestigiousorganization," said Isabel Vasquez, director of the Dominican RepublicMinistry of Tourism (MITUR) for the Iberian Peninsula. "This award speaksto our unrelenting commitment to provide both the infrastructure and firstclass services in our hotels and golf courses in order to maintain the loyaltyand happiness of those who choose to visit us, allowing us to reinforce ourposition as the Golf Capital of the Caribbean with 28internationally-recognized courses – the largest offerings in all of LatinAmerica and the Caribbean."

Golf tourism’scontribution to the Dominican economy is estimated at over $200 millionannually – a figure that is projected to increase over the next year, accordingto a study by IAGTO North America. In 2014, this same study revealed the growthof this niche market was 10 percent – an arrival of more than 140,000 golferswho visited the Dominican Republic only to play golf.

Dominican Republic ishome to some of the most dramatic and spectacular golf courses in the worlddesigned by legends such as Pete Dye, PB Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Robert TrentJones, Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Nick Faldo. It boasts 28 courses of thehighest standards of design and friendly services of five-star quality. Amongthese are Punta Espada Golf Club in Cap Cana, La Cana at Puntacana Resort &Club, Teeth of the Dog and Dye Fore at Casa de Campo, each featuring stunningviews and unique challenges carefully crafted by the best designers in the golfworld.

IAGTO’s touroperators generate more than 85 percent of the world’s golf vacations. Its 450members hailing from 59 different countries selected the 2016 winners. Judgesnominated the best golf destinations based on the different experiences oftheir customers and criteria such as customer satisfaction, quality of golfcourses and accommodations, price, professional conduct of suppliers, supportof the local tourism industry and accessibility to playtime.

Photo:

IAGTO presents theGolf Destination of the Year: Latin American & Caribbean 2016 award to theDominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) team. [From left to right: GilesGreenwood (IAGTO), Ana Gorrin (Catalonia Hotels & Resorts), EvelynPaiewonsky (MITUR), Isabel Vasquez (MITUR – Iberian Peninsula), Giselle Diaz(MITUR), Carolina Perez (MITUR – Iberian Peninsula), Hiram Silfa (Puntacana Resort& Club), Monica Diaz (Casa de Campo Hotel & Villas)