Dominican Republic strengthens tourism leadership at Miami Trade Show 2026
More than 1,200 tourism industry leaders from the United States, Canada, and Latin America gathered in Miami, where over 100 exhibitors showcased the country's growing tourism offerings, fostering partnerships and growth throughout the Americas
The Dominican Republic reinforced its position as one of the most dynamic and strategic tourist destinations in the Americas during its fourth trade fair in Miami, which brought together more than 1,200 tourism industry professionals from the United States, Canada and Latin America.
The event brought together tour operators, travel agencies, airlines, cruise lines and online travel agencies from more than 25 US states and key source markets across the region, creating a high-impact platform for destination promotion, business negotiations and strategic alliances.
The country's Minister of Tourism highlighted the sector's fundamental role in the national economy, with an estimated contribution of $15 billion to GDP, $5.236 billion in net foreign income, $1.113 billion in tax revenue, and the generation of 479,722 jobs. The trade fair also reflected strong commercial activity, with the participation of more than 100 exhibitors and investment companies, and the scheduling of over 1,800 business meetings.
“The 2026 Trade Fair demonstrated that the Dominican Republic not only leads in visitor arrivals, but also in its ability to generate real business opportunities and sustainable development throughout the tourism value chain,” said David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic.
A unified travel ecosystem
The program was supported by senior executives from the public and private sectors, including airports, ports, airlines, banking institutions, hotel groups, and tourism associations. This reflects the country's public-private partnership model, which continues to drive investment, innovation, and international growth.
New segments and specialized travel opportunities
The 2026 Trade Fair reinforced the Dominican Republic's positioning as a year-round, multi-segment destination. The program highlighted key growth areas such as luxury travel, cruise and nautical tourism, sports and adventure tourism, MICE and business events, gastronomy, medical tourism, and ecocultural experiences, in addition to its traditional sun and beach offerings.
Priority destinations for expansion include Miches, Punta Bergantín, Samaná, La Romana, Bayahíbe, Santiago, La Vega, Puerto Plata, Río San Juan, and Santo Domingo.
New projects and investment portfolio
The Dominican Republic continues to expand its air connectivity and accelerate hotel development, diversifying its offerings beyond its traditional resorts. The event showcased a preview of the upcoming expansion of Casa de Campo and highlighted new projects from international brands, such as St. Regis Cap Cana, W Punta Cana (Uvero Alto), Four Seasons Miches, and ZEL by Meliá Punta Cana, reinforcing strong investor confidence in the destination's premium segment.
The worldwide recognition highlights the dynamism.
During the event, the Dominican Republic received multiple awards from leading tourism industry organizations, such as Northstar Travel Group, Travel + Leisure, Tripadvisor, MPI and Despegar, underscoring its sustained growth and global appeal.
Immersive experiences bring the destination to life.
Attendees engaged with Dominican culture through experiential activities such as the "Encounter in Paradise" space, tastings of yucca and mamajuana, interactive cocoa workshops where guests created their own chocolate, traditional painting of faceless dolls, and merengue and bachata dance classes.
The traveling dinner brings the event to a close.
The program concluded with an exclusive presentation dinner focused on strengthening relationships and promoting the destination. Minister David Collado delivered a compelling presentation, supported by multimedia content, showcasing the country's diverse regions and rich culture.
The 2026 Trade Fair remains a cornerstone of the Dominican Republic's international promotion strategy, supporting sustained, diversified, and competitive growth in key markets.
Photo caption: Juan Bancalari, president of Asonahores; Leo Matos, vice president of Central Romana; David Collado, Minister of Tourism; Frank Elías Rainieri, president and CEO of Grupo Puntacana; Víctor Pacheco, CEO of Arajet; and Igor Rodríguez, CEO of IDAC, from left to right.
Source: Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic