Dominican tourism leaders celebrated at national awards ceremony

Santo Domingo.- The IV National Tourism Awards recognized the outstanding achievements of the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector, celebrating hotels, entrepreneurs, and initiatives that have contributed to sustainable and inclusive growth across the country.

Paradisus Palma Real was named Hotel of the Year, while Leonardo Wehe received Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year for his development projects in Cabarete. Industry pioneers Frank Rainieri, founder of Grupo Puntacana, and Edmundo Aja, president of Hodelpa Hotels, were both honored with lifetime achievement awards for their decades of leadership in hospitality and destination development.

Other winners included Henry Ulloa as Manager of the Year, Open Copa Cap Cana as Event of the Year, and Fundación Eco Bahía for its social and environmental work. The awards also featured an innovative trophy made from recycled sargassum, symbolizing the sector’s growing commitment to sustainability and creative environmental solutions.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of Infotur Dominicano, one of the country’s leading tourism news outlet, directed by Javier Noguera. The publication received the Tourism Press Award for its consistent, specialized coverage and contribution to the professionalization of tourism journalism in the Dominican Republic. The jury praised Infotur for its accuracy, depth and dedication to promoting responsible and data-driven reporting in the industry.

The gala, organized by Todo Turismo Travely and supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Banreservas, and Cap Cana, drew key figures from the public and private sectors. Luis Santiago Severino, president of the National Tourism Awards, described the event as “a platform that recognizes excellence and transforms lives through the power of tourism.”