No Dominican infrastructure to tap US$300B-year tourism market niche

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic currently lacksmajor infrastructure to access a market segment worth US$300 billion per year:business tourism and conventions.

The concern comes from National Hotels and Tourism Association(Asonahores) marketing director Thelma Martinez, who stressed the Dominicancapital’s need of a exhibition center for such events.

Citing studies, the expert said developing that niche hasthe advantage that more than 10% of tourists who attend a business event returnto that country or destination with their families.

Martinez said though the country has gradually inserteditself in the congresses, conventions, events and exhibitions (MICE) segment, "thefact that it still lacks infrastructure with capacity to accommodate 6 or 7,000people in activities of this kind is "unacceptable.”

"Our tourism has grown in such a way that there’s definitelya need to compete with our regional competitors."

DATE 2016

The ASONAHORES executive also stressed that tour operators specializedin the MICE segment will attend the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE2016) fair April 19 to 21, at the Paradissus Palma Real Convention Center in Bavaro,Punta Cana (east).