The Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic, Asonahores, indicated that it maintains tourism leadership in the region, ensuring exponential growth with foreign investments that directly impact the national economy.
These statements were offered at the sixth Asonahores Tourism Investment Forum held in the Convention Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
David Llibre, president of Asonahores, expressed that in 2022 our country captured 44% of foreign investment in Central America and 76% in the Caribbean, impacting employment and profits in the construction sector, the financial sector, more jobs and development for tourism industry.
“In the first half of 2023, the data recorded by the Central Bank indicate that we received 2,153 million dollars in foreign direct investment, of which 24% went to tourism, representing 532 million dollars, for a growth of 7% in relation to the previous year. first semester of 2022 that reported 488 million dollars in foreign investment,” said Llibre.
He pointed out that we must continue to support a clear and sustainable structure that can maintain and improve profitability rates for foreign investment and that allows us to keep our tourist offer updated to continue attracting tourists.
Aguie Lendor, executive vice president of Asonahores, expressed that through this platform the entity seeks to promote investment opportunities and encourage the continued growth of tourism in the Dominican Republic.
“In this version we have prepared a scenario to highlight the country’s potential as a tourist destination by creating spaces for the exchange of knowledge between key players in the industry,” said Lendor.
At the Tourism Investment Forum, the study “Impact of the Tourism Sector on the Dominican Economy” was presented by the firm Analytica and sponsored by Banco Popular, where an updated vision of the national tourism industry was shown.
Likewise, the panel “Regulations regarding Tourism Investment” was held with the participation of Alejandro Fernández, Superintendent of Banks; Ernesto Bournigal, Superintendent of Securities Markets and Francisco Torres, Superintendent of Pensions. It was moderated by Javier Tejada, General Director of United Capital.
The panel “New Luxury Proposals and Structuring” was also held with the participation of Frank Elías Rainieri, President & CEO of Grupo Punta Cana – Proyectos Miches and Felipe Amador, CEO Advanced Asset Management. It was moderated by Andrés Marranzini Grullón.
During the forum, important recognitions will be given to companies and allies in the tourism sector for their constant support in strengthening the local tourism industry. Honored were Eduardo Estrella, president of the Senate; Alejandro Fernández, Superintendent of Banks and the Transaction of the Year Award went to Zemi Miches – Banreservas.
The sixth Asonahores Tourism Investment Forum was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, AFP Popular, Banco BHD, Banreservas, Banco Popular Dominicano, Dominican Association of Pension Fund Administrators (ADAFP), United Capital and Grupo Puntacana.