Madrid, Spain.—The participation of Dominican Republic In this year’s edition of the Spanish Tourism Fair, it has been made clear that the country is no longer presented to the world only as a sun and beach destination, but as an increasingly diversified tourist offer, capable of attracting visitors through new experiences, strategic investments and high-impact international events.
Likewise, he brought together the main executives of the most important commercial banks in the country, as well as the iconic heads of the tourism industry, which allows the Dominican Republic to show itself as one of the undisputed regional leaders in tourism.
In this edition, the country announced investments that exceed 4,000 million dollars, with a marked prominence of the expansion of the eastern tourist destination, particularly in Miches, and the firm commitment to Pedernales, conceived as the great sustainable tourism development project in the Dominican southwest.
The Dominican stand was inaugurated this Wednesday by the Minister of Tourism, David Colladowho led the lighting of a buzzer that emulates the iconic beginnings of stock market sessions. David Colla is together with businessmen, bankers and representatives of the sector, predicting a successful participation in the fair that marks the beginning of the great negotiations of global tourism.
“Today, like every year, we leave this impressive stand open, which is just a sample of the beauty and diversity that our country offers,” said the official, after highlighting that more than 60 co-exhibitors are part of the Dominican exhibition.
Collado highlighted as a distinctive feature of the Dominican tourism model the alliance between the country’s main commercial banks (Banreservas, Banco Popular Dominicano and Banco BHD) which, despite competing with each other, converge in supporting tourism.
“We are the only country where its three main banks go hand in hand to promote this industry. That explains why we are a regional reference,” he stated.
To leave no room for doubt about the support of the financial sector, among the group of businessmen were Leonardo Aguilera, president of the Reserve Bank; Cristopher Paniaga, president of Banco Popular, and Steven Puig, president of Banco BHD.
Sport as a tourist engine
One of the most notable elements of the Dominican presence at FITUR 2026 was the incorporation of sport as a complementary axis of tourism, both to attract visitors and to diversify the traveler’s experience. In this context, it was highlighted that the Dominican Republic is a regular venue for international sporting events, which generate additional tourist flows and energize destinations beyond the traditional model.
This strategy finds a culmination in the celebration of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be held in Santo Domingo in July 2026 and which were widely mentioned as a key platform for the country’s international promotion.
Present during the presentation of the details of the sporting event were the president of the Organizing Committee, José P. Monegro, the president of CROESUS and vice president of the Organizing Committee, Felipe Vicini, as well as committee members Mercedes Canalda, Carlos Iglesias and Frank Elías Rainieri.
Sports tourism was presented as a tool capable of prolonging stays, attracting new visitor niches and complementing the existing hotel infrastructure, which already invests in sports facilities, event centers and experiences associated with international competitions.
Monegro expressed that on this occasion the Central American and Caribbean Games start by setting records, such as sports disciplines and athlete participation.
The president of Centro Caribe Sports, Luis Mejía Oviedowho was also present, explained that the event that will be held from July 24 to August 8 has a special significance because it coincides with the centenary of this regional competition.
He reported that on this occasion 37 countries from Central America and the Caribbean will participate and that over 6 thousand athletes are expected to participate.
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A stand that shined again
From the first hours of the fair, the Dominican stand became one of the busiest, supported by a creative audiovisual proposal that tours the different destinations and corners of the country, from the beaches of the East to the mountains, historical cities and emerging projects.
The presence of international figures also reinforced the country’s visibility. Among those attending the opening ceremony was the former Spanish footballer David Villaall-time top scorer for the Spanish team, who maintains investments in the Dominican Republic through his DV7 academy.
With an environment marked by investment announcements, new alliances and a narrative focused on diversification and sustainability, Minister Collado predicted that the results of FITUR 2026 will exceed the achievements achieved in 2025, consolidating the Dominican Republic as one of the most dynamic and complete destinations in the world. Caribbean.
