DATE 2026 was inaugurated with a focus on growth, employment and challenges of Dominican tourism

The Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores) recently inaugurated a new edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) 2026, consolidated as the main space for tourism marketing in the Caribbean and a key platform to project the country's leadership in the region.

The event brought together more than 200 companies from over 20 source markets, along with more than 300 international buyers and 120 booths showcasing the diversity of the Dominican Republic's tourism offerings. Within this framework, more than 8,000 business meetings were projected—with over 5,000 already confirmed at the start of the event—aimed at boosting hotel occupancy, visitor arrivals, and foreign exchange earnings.

During the opening ceremony, Javier Tejada, First Vice President of Asonahores, highlighted DATE's impact as a key tool for revitalizing the sector. “DATE is the country's leading tourism marketing platform. Business deals are generated here that translate into thousands of additional visitors each year, strengthening hotel occupancy and the economic impact,” he stated.

Tejada also highlighted the strong performance of Dominican tourism, noting that in 2025 the country exceeded 11.7 million visitors and projected reaching between 12 and 12.5 million in 2026, driven by the expansion of air routes and the diversification of markets.

In terms of employment, he emphasized that the sector generates more than 800,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, solidifying its position as one of the main drivers of the labor market. He also highlighted the multiplier effect of tourism on other productive sectors, with more than $3 billion in annual purchases from the local market.

For her part, Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of Asonahores, focused on the strategic vision and challenges of the industry. “DATE is a national platform that connects the Dominican Republic's tourism offerings with key international markets, generating real growth opportunities,” she noted.

Regarding the future of the sector, Lendor stressed the need to advance in the diversification of the tourism product, strengthening segments such as health, sports, cultural and nature tourism, while addressing challenges such as environmental sustainability and human capital development.

In that regard, she highlighted the importance of continuous training to improve the quality of service and the visitor experience, as well as the key role of women in the industry, who represent about 60% of the tourism workforce in the country.

He also emphasized the value of gastronomy as an essential component of the tourist experience, not only as an attraction for visitors but also as an engine for the development of local producers.

The DATE 2026 agenda included keynote presentations, international press conferences, networking spaces, and cultural experiences that highlighted Dominican identity, along with the participation of important business partners from America and Europe.

Source: Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores)