In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Rinha Olivares, Director of the Dominican Republic Tourism Office for Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
What have been the objectives for the Dominican Republic in coming to participate in FIT this year?
There are several objectives, including being able to introduce all Argentines, the general public, and all professionals to the wide range of tourism offered by the Dominican Republic. Presenting new destinations such as Miches and Pedernales, as well as traditional ones such as Punta Cana, La Romana, Bayahíbe , Samaná, and Puerto Plata.
I think we have achieved the objective we set, to make ourselves known, to get our country recognised. So I am very happy to end the FIT with all this influx of professionals that we have on this last day.
Which private sector entrepreneurs are supporting you?
Yes, incredible, and that's even though a lot of companies were left out. There are 22 companies, including hotel chains, airlines and inbound companies. And we have a tasting of our products that has to do with our ministry's new campaign, "Taste Paradise," so we had a gastronomic tasting of Dominican tobacco and crafts.
The Dominican Republic is increasingly better connected, with new Arajet routes being launched, for example from Buenos Aires to Punta Cana.
It's incredible, Julian, the growth that this market has had. Argentina has always been one of the main markets for the Dominican Republic and even more so this year. Until July we have a 17.5% growth in relation to 2023. And of course, the number of seats that the airlines have contributed has to do with it, especially Arajet, as a private airline in the Dominican Republic, which has certainly had a lot to do with this growth.
We must also acknowledge all the airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas is also adding more frequencies to our destination, Copa Airlines as always, Latam, Avianca, Sky.
What are your forecasts for next year?
The objectives are obviously to continue growing and working together with an increasing number of operators. So to work and continue with those new destinations that we are promoting in our country, such as Miches, where we have properties that are going to open, new hotels. There is also the case of Pedernales, with the new port and the construction of hotels from very important chains. And we must continue with Puerto Plata, where tourism began. We need Argentines to know the beaches of the north.