The 2017 Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), the D.R.’s most important tourism fair, will celebrate its 18th edition at the Barceló Convention Center in Punta Cana from May 3 to 5.

Since its debut in 2000 DATE has become known as the most important travel tradeshow for Dominican travel product. “It is ‘one-stop shopping’ for international buyers to meet with the country’s key suppliers in a very organized and effective manner through pre-scheduled appointments during a two-day period,” said Thelma Martinez, ASONAHORES’ Marketing Director. DATE is organized by the Hotels & Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES) in association with the Dominican Ministry of Tourism (MITUR).

DATE 2017 also marks the fourth anniversary of the Hosted MICE Buyer Program, which was first introduced during DATE 2014 and has been growing steadily since then, says Martinez. “The MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibit) segment is becoming extremely important for our destination.”

DATE 2017 Hosted MICE Buyers have been assigned a special location, separate from DATE’s main trade floor, at the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort in Punta Cana, May 1-6.

The Barceló Convention Center has more than 11,500 square metres of meeting space, with 13 breakout rooms, and capacity for up to 5,000 people. Several Barceló Resorts are within walking distance from the convention centre.

Registrations for DATE 2017 and DATE’s Hosted MICE Program are being accepted now. For more information visit drdate.net.