The Dominican Republic shone again in Madrid. It was the center of attention in pavilion 3 of the fair center where the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) was held, a tourist event that increased its importance during the crisis, for being the first to open its doors for a personal meeting of the actors of the sector . That has its impact, and our Ministry of Tourism knew how to take advantage of it.
This year we saw the stand with the largest space and the most impact elements. Brightness does not always ensure sales and prestige, but when well managed it becomes an attraction, strengthens the projected image and that is almost always a factor to penetrate, attract and sell.
One of the approaches of David Collado, our restless tourism minister, who always wins my applause is that in his speeches he distributes success among many actors. He says a lot when he insists that this is not an achievement of President Luis Abinader (for whom he always asks for applause) and the Minister of Tourism, and then he lets it be known that he understands it as a success for all and when he says it, he makes it understood that “ALL “They are also the ones who make up the Ministry of Tourism team, where some are listed, but the majority work hard every day, and the main managers work very hard…
Many people move behind the curtain, play the flute, lay out the rugs, and serve the table. Others think, strategize and do the math. I am pleased that Collado recognizes it every time.
At Fitur 2022 I took note of an interesting strategy. The directors of the Tourism Promotion Office from Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Belgium/Holland arrived in Madrid. This time his presence was repeated. In both cases they did not arrive alone. They attracted and accompanied important players in European tourism to Madrid, they also supported Karina Font Bernard, responsible for Spain and Portugal. They are all almost anonymous heroines who work in silence.
I have decades following them. Watching them move in that complex scenario like fish in their water. They do the job, they are effective support for the minister and his team, in this case Collado. Their years working in these markets have turned them into experts, figures known to major players in the tourism sector in Europe.
From Europe, 22% of tourists arrived in 2022. Compared to 2019, France grew by 18% and the United Kingdom, Spain and Germany by 16% and Italy by 8%, as Vice Minister Jacqueline Mora showed in her convincing presentation to tour operators and travel agents.
Behind these successes is the effort of all of Mitur with Collado and the strategy, marketing and promotion team at the helm, but there are also these women of a thousand battles. Anonymous, veteran, expert, dedicated heroines that few know because their work is done thousands of kilometers from their homeland. They move like shadows in him, he runs, runs, focused on what is their turn, they support Karina and her team. I applaud Collado, Jacqueline and the Mitur team. Also for the anonymous heroines.
