Over 1,200 travel industry professionals from Canada, the U.S. and Latin America were on hand as the Dominican Republic reinforced its position as one of the most dynamic and strategic tourism destinations in the Americas during its fourth signature Trade Show in Miami.
Tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines, and online travel agencies from over 25 U.S. states and key source markets across the region, participated in the high-impact platform for destination promotion, direct business negotiations, and strategic partnerships.
The Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism pointed to the sector’s critical role in the national economy, highlighting an estimated $15 billion impact on GDP, $5.236 billion in net external income, $1.113 billion in taxes, and 479,722 jobs.
The trade show also reflected the country’s strong commercial momentum, featuring more than 100 exhibitors and investing companies and generating more than 1,800 scheduled business appointments.
David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, said that: “Trade Show 2026 demonstrated that the Dominican Republic not only leads in visitor arrivals but also in its ability to generate real business opportunities and sustainable development across the entire tourism value chain.”
The program was supported by senior public and private-sector leadership spanning airports, ports, airlines, banking, hospitality groups, and tourism associations, reflecting the Dominican Republic’s public-private collaboration model that continues to drive investment, innovation, and international growth.
Trade Show 2026 reinforced the Dominican Republic’s positioning as a multi-segment, year-round destination. Programming highlighted expanded focus areas including luxury travel, cruise and nautical tourism, sports and adventure tourism, MICE and business events, gastronomy, medical tourism, and eco and cultural experiences, alongside the country’s core sun and beach appeal.
Additional priority growth destinations include Miches, Punta Bergantín, Samaná, La Romana, Bayahíbe, Santiago, La Vega, Puerto Plata, Río San Juan, and Santo Domingo.
The Dominican Republic continues to expand air connectivity and accelerate hotel development while diversifying tourism beyond its traditional hubs.
The event previewed a forthcoming Casa de Campo expansion and highlighted new international-branded growth, including St. Regis Cap Cana, W Punta Cana (Uvero Alto), Four Seasons Miches, and ZEL by Meliá Punta Cana, reinforcing continued confidence in the destination’s high-end trajectory.
Watch for more in the April 20, 2026 issue of Canadian Travel Press …
Caption for Photo
Seen here, from l to r, are Juan Bancalari, president of Asonahores; Leo Matos, vice president of Central Romana; David Collado, minister of tourism; Frank Elias Rainieri, president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana; Víctor Pacheco, CEO of Arajet; and Igor Rodríguez, director general of IDAC.
