Punta Cana.- The Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) predicted that the growth in 2023 in tourist arrivals will be more than 10% compared to last year, so the demand for goods and services required by the sector will exceed the 300 billion pesos at the end of the year.
The statements were offered by David Llibre, president of the entity, at the opening ceremony of the thirty-fifth edition of the Asonahores 2023 Commercial Exhibition.
He stated that the tourism industry contributes significantly to the productive chain by making purchases from the national productive apparatus for more than 288 billion pesos during 2023, according to official figures, where 17% belong to the agricultural sector, with the tourism sector being the main client.
He expressed that the Commercial Exhibition is an example of how important it is to strengthen and increase the robust commercial and industrial activity that revolves around tourism.
“From Asonahores we urge the productive sectors of the Dominican economy to continue making the most of the push of tourism to increase, diversify, modernize and humanize their activities, and continue working for a better country, contributing to raising the quality of life of each Dominican.”, indicated Llibre.
Meanwhile, Andrés Marranzini, executive vice president of the entity, explained that the thirty-fifth meeting of the 2023 Commercial Exhibition exceeded 340 stands, with 40% new participants and 60% repeat participants.
“This platform today exhibits a clear and compelling vision of the importance of tourism, as a partner of the Dominican productive and commercial apparatus, and of its partners in other countries. We have 342 stands occupied by 175 exhibiting companies and 61 sponsors, 20 conferences, press conferences and agreements and the minimum estimate is 5,000 visitors during the three days,” he indicated.
He said that the figures confirm the quality of the business event in which a group of important companies have been participating for more than 30 years. An indicator of its importance is that from 2017 to 2023 the commercial exhibition has grown by more than 200% in number of stands, participating companies and visitors.
He highlighted that they are an ally of commerce, industry, services and agricultural activity, due to the high direct, indirect and induced impact they have on their productive activities.
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, participated in the activity; Luis Emilio Velutini, president of the Velutini Group; Haydée Kuret de Rainieri, Simon Suárez, Paola Rainieri, Enrique de Marchena Kaluche, Frank Rainieri, Ernesto Veloz, president of Asoleste, among other personalities linked to the tourism industry.