Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic, David Collado, is interviewed at the Houston Roadshow. (Photo Credit: Toni Aguirre / Northstar Travel Group)
TravelPulse caught up with David Collado, the Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic, at the Dominican Republic Roadshow in Houstin in April.
TP Staff: What are the niches the Dominican Republic is focusing on to showcase the tourism offerings that differentiate it from other world-class destinations?
Minister David Collado: After achieving a tourist influx surpassing the Dominican population by 11.2 million visitors, we are now betting on diversity, luxury tourism, sports tourism, gastronomy, culture, and historical tourism with our historic center, the Colonial City, the First City of America, the first cathedral, the first city where the first child in the New World was born, the government palace. We are betting on diversity because the Dominican Republic is much more than sun and sand.
TP: What's new in terms of new tourism developments in the country?
Minister Collado: New destinations such as Miches, where the Four Seasons chain is located, where Viva Wyndham Resorts has already opened its doors. The Hyatt chain has 1,000 rooms opening soon, and it's a destination we're carefully planning with sustainable and environmentally friendly land use plans. It's a major commitment for the Dominican Republic. Also, Punta Bergantin in Puerto Plata, where we have 1,500 new rooms under construction with a Hyatt Hotel, a Meliá Hotel by the Escarrer family…
We're also working on Pedernales, a new project, a project that has stood out not only because of the ships arriving in the Dominican Republic, but also because of the new hotels coming to this location, with 1,500 rooms under construction.
Also, the historic center of Santo Domingo, with an investment of $100 million in underground cabling, renovations, and sidewalks, will make it the most beautiful historic center on the continent.
The truth is that we are promoting new destinations without neglecting the strength we have in Bavaro Punta Cana, our traditional destination, where the St. Regis is opening, where the W all-inclusive hotel is arriving…and the Ritz Carlton all-inclusive [resort] are also coming. The truth is that the major hotel brands that are coming to the DR find us better prepared than in previous years with more security and diversity, with a team that is taking care of the details, the refurbishment of beaches, of our maritime coastlines. Honestly, the DR is at the best moment for tourism.
TP: In preparation for Global Travel Advisor Day on May 7th, do you have a message you'd like to share?
Minister Collado: For the Dominican Republic, travel agents are a priority. We have valued and respected them more than any other country. We have firmly believed in what is happening, and I have personally conducted 78 roadshows and meetings with travel agents and tour operators over four and a half years. The truth is that for the Dominican Republic, they are a priority… After the pandemic, tourists want more communication, to be more certain about where to visit and which countries are at the forefront of safety. So, congratulations, and always count on us. Thank you for your support!
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