Bogota, Colombia. – The Dominican Republic’s Tourism Minister, David Collado, unveiled the “Taste Paradise” promotional campaign in the Colombian capital on Tuesday evening witnessed by a large number of tour operators and travel agents.
This was the 65th international RoadShow RD promotional event, aiming to foster loyalty and boost Colombian tourism to the Dominican Republic, which is seeing a consistent increase every month.
Collado emphasized the partnerships built between Colombia and the Dominican Republic covering several areas. According to him, the rising number of Colombian tourists visiting the Dominican Republic and their preference for the country as a holiday destination underscore this alliance.
During his presentation, he disclosed that the Dominican Republic welcomed 257,716 Colombian tourists in 2022. This figure was surpassed in the following year when they received 306,000 Colombian visitors.
Collado expressed, “So far, with your support, 264,000 Colombians have visited our country, and we anticipate this number will exceed 330,000 by the end of the year, the highest in history.”
David Collado narrated how the Dominican Republic managed to bounce back successfully from the havoc wreaked by the pandemic on the global travel and tourism industry. This recovery story serves as a global example, helping it to emerge as the top country in tourism recovery for 2021 and 2022.
“Truthfully, it was a difficult journey filled with obstacles and challenges, during which, at times, we lost hope and were unsure of the way forward,” the Tourism Minister recollected.
He mentioned that the experience of battling the pandemic made the Dominicans strive to excel in hospitality.
Collado highlighted the outcomes of the beach and dock restoration program to the Colombian tour operators and travel agents. This program is part of efforts to transform the Dominican Republic into a predominant tourism powerhouse in the Caribbean.
DO Travel Rewards Global Loyalty Program
Before showcasing various destinations in the Dominican Republic to Colombian tour operators and travel agents, Rebeca Fernández del Pino, the director of the Dominican Republic’s destination loyalty program, DO Travel Rewards, presented this global initiative for agents selling trips to the country.
Fernández del Pino elaborated on the incentives of the plan, which include raffles, exclusive discounts, special deals, along with a cash bank of one euro per night for each tourist directed to any tourist spot in the country.
DO Travel Rewards offers the opportunity to participate in media trips and a seminar training program, Webinar, covering new routes, new tourist destinations, and niche areas within Dominican tourism.
She pointed out that although the general perception might be that tourists have moved away from using travel agencies and tour operators, statistics reveal that out of over 10 million non-resident visitors who arrived in the Dominican Republic last year, 32% did so through these services.
Promotional campaign “Taste Paradise”
“I take this opportunity to introduce the new promotional campaign from the Dominican Republic, developed in collaboration with Colombian teams. I request a round of applause” announced the Minister of Tourism while introducing the new Dominican promotional campaign, “Taste Paradise”.
Collado noted that the campaign, which had already been launched in Miami and New York, aims to evoke the ambiance, landscapes, and affection associated with the Dominican Republic for the Colombian audience.
In David Collado’s traditional roadshow style, using contemporary audio-visual tools, various elements of the campaign featuring the attractive destinations and allure of the Dominican Republic were projected.
Punta Cana, Samaná and Puerto Plata, touted as three Dominican gems, are the campaign’s core features. These destinations offer visitors the chance to experience the best of the Caribbean – breathtaking landscapes, adventurous activities, historical sites, and above all, delightful cuisine.
The diverse offerings of these destinations cater to visitors seeking relaxation at a luxurious resort, exploring untouched nature, or delving into local culture.
“The potential and vigor of love is boundless,” concluded Collado, before an enthusiastic audience, inviting their engagement in viewing awe-inspiring landscapes and compelling messaging of the ‘Taste Paradise’ campaign advertisements.
He added that people have love for diverse things, like money, work, people, their neighbors. He affirmed that their commitment to promoting tourism is driven by the same love.
“Everything we have accomplished in our country is a result of immense love. And as we approach the end of 2024, we wanted to express how crucial you (Colombians) are to our country and our economy. Thank you very much,” said David Collado while concluding his Roadshow with a surprise performance from the well-known and much-adored Dominican artist, Eddy Herrera.