Raquel Peña: Dominican tourism is a model for the Americas

Punta Cana.- The Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña, described the country’s tourism industry as a model for the Americas during the first UN Tourism Summit for Africa and the Americas, held in Punta Cana. Peña emphasized the need to continue advancing policies that elevate tourism to higher levels. The Dominican government is actively diversifying its tourism offerings by incorporating health tourism, ecotourism, and enhancing real estate and services such as adventure parks, shopping, and culinary hubs. These initiatives are designed to expand the sector’s impact on the nation’s economy.

Peña praised the role of tourism as a critical driver for economic recovery, employment, and investment worldwide. She acknowledged the efforts of Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and commended the summit’s success, highlighting it as a testament to the positive outcomes that arise when nations collaborate for the growth and transformation of tourism. The summit, organized by UN Tourism and led by the Dominican Republic, aimed to promote South-South cooperation by fostering investment in education, culture, and creative industries.

During the event, the Punta Cana Declaration was adopted, affirming the commitment of the participating nations to bolster sustainable development across Africa and the Americas. The declaration calls for increased investments in tourism infrastructure and supporting sectors such as education, innovation, and creative industries. Over the course of three days, ministers, industry experts, and academics engaged in discussions on sustainable tourism practices, investment opportunities, and strategies for mutual growth between the two regions, aligning with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.