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Santo Domingo.- The Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) successfully concluded the 2025 edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), reaffirming its role as a vital platform for boosting the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry—a key pillar of the national economy.
Now in its 25th year, the fair hosted over 8,300 business meetings through its official platform, with participation from 280 tour operators and buyer companies, 330 buyer delegates, and 123 exhibition booths. The event also showcased Dominican culture with 28 local artisans presenting traditional crafts.
Asonahores President Juan Bancalari celebrated the event’s success, highlighting the country’s continued leadership in Caribbean tourism. Executive Vice President Aguie Lendor emphasized tourism’s central role in economic development and the sector’s efforts to diversify offerings beyond beach tourism, with growing interest in destinations like Miches and Pedernales. Backed by 37 sponsors, DATE 2025 reinforced its status as the region’s premier tourism fair.
There is no doubt tourism is a key pillar of the Dominican economy. One has to scratch their head in awe when the local access roads to the Barcelo Convention Center are cratered with hoyos, potholes, left to be abused. The portion of Av Barcelo very near the Barcelo main entrance is a disgrace of ruts and insufficient patchwork. It sends a poor tourism showcase message to visitors. Remembering when Barcelo rather than the local government would clean the road, patch the road, paint curbing, paint centerlines, paint speed bumps, wash the sidewalk, trim overgrowth, replace trees, and ect. Guess pride and government responsibility has taken a back seat. Tourism revenue should be used now to tidy up the area. It needs it.