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(Photo: Dominican Republic Tourism)
Press Release: Dominican Republic Kicks Off Its DR Tourism Roadshow (DR TOURS) in Canada
• Toronto and Montreal host roadshows which aim to reconnect, revitalize, and reposition the Dominican Republic as a premier tourist destination for 1 million Canadians
• Ministry shared impressive insights on Canadian tourists in Dominican Republic
• New Rewards Program for agents unveiled
September 28, 2023 – The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism proudly announces the success of its prestigious DR Tourism Roadshow in two of Canada’s most vibrant cities, Toronto and Montreal.
Toronto played host to the inaugural leg of the roadshow, which aims to reconnect, revitalize, and reposition the Dominican Republic as the ultimate tourist haven for Canadians with Montreal closing out the roadshow. These events were attended by over 500 tour operators and travel agencies from across Canada, with the Canada’s Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada attending at Montreal edition. This momentous undertaking reaffirms the Dominican Republic’s commitment to fostering strong ties with the Canadian travel market and further enhancing the tourism experience for Canadian visitors.
“The Dominican Republic’s Roadshow transcends being just an event; it is a joyous celebration of the enduring friendship between our nations,” said Dominican Republic Tourism Minister David Collado. “Our visitation from Canada this year is tracking at record levels with over one million Canadians expected to visit our shores by the end of the year. We eagerly anticipate strengthening our ties and continuing to create unforgettable moments for Canadians who choose to explore the wonders of the Dominican Republic.”
Dominican Republic Tourism Minister David Collado (Right) with Canada’s Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada (Left) in Montreal
Nearly half of all Canadian tourists visiting the Dominican Republic hail from Ontario, with over 350,000 Ontarians visiting this year alone. Quebec contributes significantly to Dominican Republic tourism, with nearly 30 per cent of Canadian tourists hailing from the province, representing over 288,000 visitors this year alone. In addition to presenting these insights, the Ministry also shed light on the upcoming projects that are poised to shape the future of tourism in the Dominican Republic. Among these are the largest and most advanced water theme park in the Caribbean, El Dorado, and one of DR’s most ambitious projects, Punta Bergantín.
Dominican Republic also introduced the DO Travel Rewards program, an exclusive loyalty initiative designed specifically for travel agencies. This program allows travel agents to earn rewards while promoting the Dominican Republic, providing them with access to valuable information, destination training, and exciting news updates.
The Roadshow successfully showcased the Dominican Republic’s prime destinations, such as Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, Samaná, Miches, La Romana, and Santo Domingo. In an effort to streamline and facilitate travel, strategic meetings were convened with major airlines, including Air Transat, Air Canada, and Sunwing. A significant agreement to introduce new routes has been successfully signed with Arajet and Flair Airlines, further enhancing connectivity, choice and convenience for Canadian travellers to the Dominican Republic.
The Ministry also provided valuable insights on the significant impact Canadian tourists have on the tourism industry. In the first eight months of 2023, the Dominican Republic welcomed seven million tourists. This included 5.5 million who arrived by air and 1.5 million via cruise ships. Canada played a substantial role in contributing to these numbers as the Dominican Republic’s second-largest market.
Inaugurated in 2021 by the Ministry of Tourism, the DR Tourism Roadshows (DR TOURS), led by Tourism Minister Collado, have gained recognition for their innovative and personable promotional visits. Their primary aim is to reaffirm the Dominican Republic’s standing as a world class tourist destination. At the heart of this initiative is direct interaction. The Roadshow serves as an exclusive platform for the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism to engage directly with Canada’s prominent travel agents, tour operators, and airline representatives.
About Dominican Republic
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north and the Caribbean Sea on the south, the lush tropical and paradisiacal country boasts nearly 1,600 kilometers of coastline, magnificent resorts and hotels, and a variety of sports, recreation and entertainment options. Here you can dance to the pulse-pounding thrill of the merengue, renew in the luxurious and diverse accommodations, explore ancient relics of centuries past, delight in delicious Dominican gastronomy or enjoy ecotourism adventures in the magnificent national parks, mountain ranges, rivers and beaches.
Known for its warm and hospitable people, Dominican Republic is a destination like no other. It offers astounding nature, intriguing history and rich cultural experiences like music, art and festivals, plus uniquely Dominican specialties such as cigars, rum, chocolate, coffee, merengue, amber and larimar.
Dominican Republic features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike.
