This week in Bogotá, Colombia, the Dominican Republic Tourism Minister, David Collado, launched the “Taste Paradise” campaign. The presentation was made to hundreds of tour operators and travel agents.
The 65th International RoadShow RD aimed to cultivate loyalty among Colombian tourists, whose numbers have been rising monthly.
Collado emphasized the strong partnership between Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Notably, Colombian visitor numbers have increased, highlighting the Dominican Republic’s popularity for its beaches, culture, cuisine, and hospitality.
He noted that in 2022 the Dominican Republic welcomed 257,716 Colombian tourists, a figure exceeded the following year with 306,000 arrivals.
Collado expressed gratitude to those who have made it possible for 264,000 Colombians to visit their country already. He expects the year to end with over 330,000 visitors, an all-time high.
Citing the Dominican Republic’s success in recovering its tourism industry post-pandemic, Collado suggested it provides a helpful model for the world. He acknowledged it had been a challenging journey but ultimately inspiring.
The recovery stimulated Dominicans to excel in hospitality, he said. Also, a project was launched to revitalize all the country’s beaches and docks, enhancing its status as a leading Caribbean tourist destination.
DO Travel Rewards Global Loyalty Program
The meeting was attended by over 300 travel agents and tour operators.
Rebeca Fernández del Pino, director of the Dominican Republic’s destination loyalty program, DO Travel Rewards, shared the initiative with attendees before presenting the various Dominican destinations. She described incentives within the plan such as cash rewards, raffles, exclusive discounts, and special offers.
While noting some believe tour operators and travel agencies are less relevant these days, Fernández del Pino said statistics show that 32% of the 10 million non-resident visitors utilized these services.
Taste Paradise
Collado shared the new Dominican Republic’s “Taste Paradise” campaign. It was designed by creatives from the Dominican Republic and Colombia. The campaign promotes the natural beauty and vibrancy of his country.
Collado said the campaign had already premiered in Miami and New York. He used a spectacular audiovisual presentation to showcase the campaign’s diverse features and the attractions of the Dominican Republic.
The key highlights of the campaign are Punta Cana, Samaná, and Puerto Plata. They are described as Dominican jewels offering the best in scenery, adventure, history, and captivating cuisine.
These destinations appeal to diverse tourist interests including luxury resorts, pristine nature, and local culture.
Collado ended his presentation underlining the central role of love in everything achieved by the Dominican Republic in terms of tourism.
The event concluded with a surprise performance by well-loved Dominican artist Eddy Herrera.