Adrian R. Morales wins international Pasaporte Abierto tourism journalism prize; Dominican entries dominate

Nariño, Colombia.- Dominican journalist Adrian R. Morales won the Pasaporte Abierto award in Investigative Journalism at the 10th edition of the event, held August 26, 2025, in Nariño, Colombia, and organized by the World Organization of Tourism Journalism (OMPT). He received the prize for his report “Influencers, ‘sinvergüencers’, ‘fakevergüencers’ and other figures in tourism promotion,” published by Dominican Today, an investigation that scrutinizes the influencer ecosystem behind modern destination promotion.

Morales’s piece maps a marketplace where follower counts and engagement metrics often replace subject-matter expertise. Through field reporting, interviews with digital marketing specialists, and documentation of invited press trips and official delegations, the story reveals how unvetted creators can shape public narratives about destinations, sometimes at the expense of authenticity, oversight, and in-depth, investigative coverage of tourism’s social and environmental impacts.

A standout night for the Dominican Republic

The Nariño gala highlighted a strong showing by the Dominican Republic. Journalists and projects from the island won multiple awards across categories, reflecting a growing regional leadership in rigorous tourism reporting.

Miguel Ledhesma (founding director of OMPT, left) with the Dominican award recipients, from left to right: Yubelkys Mejía (career achievement), Mayra De Peña (special mention), María Mercedes (originality), Salvador Batista (inducted into OMPT’s World Tourism Journalism Hall of Fame), Yenny Polanco Lovera (accepting the award on behalf of Adrian R. Morales), and Juan de Dios Valentín (social relevance).

Alongside Morales, Dominican laureates also included Juan de Dios Valentín (social relevance), María Mercedes (originality), Yubelkys Mejía (career achievement) and Salvador Batista, who was honored with induction into the OMPT’s World Tourism Journalism Hall of Fame as the ceremony’s special recognition. Organizers noted that the cluster of Dominican winners signaled an increasingly critical and influential voice in Caribbean tourism journalism.

Why Morales’s investigation resonated

The jury praised Morales for methodical reporting and for addressing a timely problem: the commercialization of destination narratives. His investigation documents instances in which influencers with little domain knowledge received privileged access to official events and promotional circuits, and it questions whether such practices erode the space for contextual reporting and the verification standards that protect destinations and travelers alike. The jury highlighted the piece’s contribution to debates on transparency, disclosure and professional standards in tourism communication.

Observers at Pasaporte Abierto said Morales’s recognition reflects a broader push for accountability in tourism promotion. As destinations and brands increasingly rely on social creators for reach, the awards program amplified calls for clearer disclosure of paid relationships, more rigorous selection criteria for promotional partners, and sustained investment in investigative journalism that examines tourism’s impacts on communities and environments.

The 2025 Pasaporte Abierto award featured the Terlaque of Nariño, a unique statuette honoring the natural and cultural richness of southwestern Colombia. Crafted by master artisan Angélica Chiles Hidalgo at the Tamo de Oro workshop, the piece depicts the Andigena laminirostris, Nariño’s emblematic bird, and symbolized both the region’s biodiversity and the creativity of its artisan communities.

Morales’s winning article remains accessible on Dominican Today and is already prompting conversations among communicators, policymakers, and editors about standards, transparency, and the future of tourism storytelling.

Winners (10th Pasaporte Abierto)

1. Relevance (social): Turismo masivo, el dilema de la sostenibilidad en un mundo conectado — Juan de Dios Valentín (Dominican Republic).
2. Recognition of the other: Pioneros del Turismo — Irina Grassmann (Germany).
3. Originality: Un viaje turístico por el maravilloso mundo de las plantas en RD — María Mercedes (Dominican Republic).
4. Investigative Journalism: Influencers, “sinvergüencers”, “fakevergüencers” y demás personajes de la promoción turística — Adrian Rafael Morales (Dominican Republic).
5. Outstanding specialized tourism media: agendaturistica.com (Colombia).
6. Event of the year: Festival de Música de Cuerda Pedro Ramírez (Colombia).
7. Best tourism proposal: Descubre el Paraíso Escondido de Playa Los Frailes en Ecuador — Daniel Puenayán (Ecuador).
8. Emerging destinations: Valle Encantado (Argentina).
9. Committed tourism entrepreneurs: Intermundial (Mexico).
10. Teamwork: WalkingTime Tours (Colombia).
11. Collaborating organization: Corporación Turística Nueve Ríos (Colombia).
12. Career achievement: Yubelkys Mejía (Dominican Republic).
13. Grand Pasaporte Abierto Prize: Lucía Sant (Argentina).
14. Grand Pasaporte Abierto Prize — 10th Edition: Yalina Pérez Sánchez (Panama).

Special mentions: Donde la piedra sueña: Guatapé, un destino que habla desde lo alto — John Acosta (Colombia); unencuentroconmipaisrd.com (Dominican Republic).
Special honor: Salvador Batista (Dominican Republic) was inducted into the World Tourism Journalism Hall of Fame.