TORONTO — The travel industry was out in full force for the Toronto edition of the DR Tourism Road Show last night.

David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, was the event’s special guest, and he welcomed travel advisors and other industry professionals all eager to discover everything the D.R. has to offer.

The lively event had a prime location, at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto in the downtown core.

The DR team at the DR Tourism Roadshow in Toronto (from left to right) Yadira Gomez, Assistant OPT Toronto; Mariel Herrera, Responsible OPT Toronto; Albania Ortiz, Assistant OPT Toronto; and Fernando Abreu, Director of Air Lines Connections

Minister Collado has done an excellent job highlighting the importance of the Canadian market for DR tourism. He’s made several visits to Canada in the past year, on top of his presentations at the DR Roadshows. Why? For starters, Canada is the second most important market for the Dominican Republic, with an average of one million Canadians travelling to the destination each year.

Of course Canadian visitors to the DR have plenty of company, from the destination’s many other key markets. Minister Collado recently declared during the during the inauguration of the XXXV Trade Fair of the Hotel and Tourism Association of the Republic Dominican (Asonahores) that in 2023 the DR will make history, with its best ever start to the year.

Some seven million tourists arrived in the DR in the first eight months of 2023, including 5.5 million by air and 1.5 million via cruise ships. As the DR’s second largest market, Canada is a huge contributor to these numbers, says Cosette Garcia with the Dominican Republic Tourism Promotion Office in Montreal.

There was a great turnout for the DR Tourism Road Show in Toronto

In eight months the Dominican Republic received 7,079,991 visitors, 31% more than in 2019, 136% more than in 2021 and 25% above last year, adds Garcia.

Looking at Canadian numbers specifically, through July 2023 the Dominican Republic received 694, 121 visitors from Canada. About 60% arrived into Punta Cana, making it the most popular from the Canadian market. The second most popular destination for Canadians is Puerto Plata.

Travel advisors looking to sell more DR should register for the DO Travel Rewards Program, the first global loyalty program for travel agents sending travellers to the Dominican Republic. The program aims to build loyalty, inform and strengthen the relationship with travel agents. Agents can register here.

The lively event had a prime location, at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto

“This is our way to give a big THANK YOU to the Canadian travel agent community,” says Garcia. “Travel agents are the key to the success of the DR’s numbers. They are the savvy ones, those that motivate potential travellers with their experience.”

New constructions on the horizon in the DR are popping up in Miches, including the Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton with 502 rooms, scheduled to open in 2024. Meanwhile Secrets Playa Esmeralda and Dreams Playa Esmeralda will add some 1,000 rooms to the DR’s hotel offering. The Viva Wyndham Group project will add another 487 hotel rooms, and the Maralda Group project 690 rooms.

Other developments include the Tropicalia Group’s project with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, for the development of Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia. The sustainable luxury destination is on a 24 hectare site along Playa Esmeralda in northeastern D.R., along the southern shores of Samana Bay. With construction underway, the project is slated to open in early 2026. The property will include a 95-key resort.

For all sorts of travel tips and ideas for the Dominican Republic see godominicanrepublic.com.

The DO Travel Rewards Program is the first global loyalty program for travel agents sending travellers to the Dominican Republic