DR Gets Commitments for Summer 2010 Visitors at FITUR in Spain

The participation of the Dominican Republic in Madrid’s International Tourism Fair 2010 (FITUR) which ended this past Sunday, resulted in positive prospects for the DR in that it made contact with the most important international tourism and travel agents in the sector and, above all, in the Spanish market which has its eye on the Dominican Republic as a favorite destination.

“There were many people looking for something new, new market niches and new opportunities. The truth is that it was a very productive fair. We have no complaints about the behavior of the European visitors and those from other markets,”

These were opinions shared by Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García Fernández; Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) and representatives of Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, Fiesta Hotel Group, Coral Hospitality Corporation and Domitur.

Mr. García Fernández said the Dominican stand received a flood of important professionals seeking precise information about the Dominican Republic as a holiday destination as well as about its diverse hotel offerings.

“There were many people looking for something new, new market niches and new opportunities. The truth is that it was a very productive fair. We have no complaints about the behavior of the European visitors and those from other markets,” said the Tourism Minister.

He reiterated that the DR continues to be one of the favorite destinations for the Spanish and for visitors from all over Europe. It is expected that 2010 will be a year of recuperation for the tourism sector.

“This year, 2010 is expected to usher in a fruitful period of tourism development in the Dominican Republic and we are working every day to improve our destination, always hand-in-hand with the private sector as represented by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES) because in our country, there is just one tourism sector made up of business people and the government,” he said.

Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, president of de ASONAHORES, said that Dominican participation in FITUR always results in something important in that it is a way to show your presence in the Spanish market.

“Tourism continues to demonstrate that, within the global economy, it is the segment of the global financial structure that has suffered the least in this crisis. It continues to show strength and growth and this constitutes good news for us; tourism is the engine for development in our country as well as the main source of revenue generation” she said.

She pointed out that if in 2010 there is no significant increase and recuperation in hotel rates, it is hoped that there will be an important rise in the number of guests which will permit the sector to get back to normal, little by little.

At her side, César Alemán, Commercial Director for Latin American and the Caribbean for the Fiesta Hotel Group, said that this year’s FITUR was a good event for hotels, tour operators and travel agents because they nailed down excellent contracts and, in the end, good business deals.

“It has been a very positive fair. We were able to get commitments for this coming summer,” he said, in the case of the Fiesta Hotel Group whose main market is Argentina, Uruguay and Spain, among others.

Joining the conversation, Gina Eli, Director of Sales and Marketing of Renaissance Jaragua Hotel & Casino, explained that she felt well received at the Fair. She noted that there were many more professionals in attendance than at last year’s Fair.

“The various companies are very beneficial for Santo Domingo…good contacts with incentives groups as well as individuals. Expectations are very high for this year,” she explained.

Ramón Tejada, Director of Sales and Marketing for Coral Hospitality Corporation, said that his chain had very positive results at the Fair and made contacts with new markets in Russia and Switzerland.

“We’ve prepared complete international promotion and marketing plans for the European market. Our plans seek to increase our base by offering our products in Puerto Plata, Samaná and Punta Cana,” he said.

Fernando Gómez, General Director for Europe for the Domitur Tour Operator, said that this company also made great contacts and commitments for the summer of 2010. He added that Punta Cana was the most sought after destination and that Spain was the most demanding market.

Throughout FITUR-2010, held in Madrid’s IFEMA Convention Center, the Dominican Republic’s 271-square-meter promotional stand hosted products from companies such as VIK Hotels Group, Oasis Hotels & Resort, Viva Wyndham Resort, Hola Tours, Casa de Campo, Fiesta Hotel Group, Intercontinental V Centenary, Holiday Inn Santo Domingo, BTC, Banco Popular, Domitur and the Cisneros Foundation.

FITUR organizers estimated that there were more than 12,000 exhibitors from 170 countries at this year’s fair in addition to some 136,000 visitors and professionals and more than 8,000 reporters from around the world.

Business negotiation underway at a Fiesta Hotel Group work table at FITUR 2010

Ramón Tejada, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Coral Hospitality Corporation, speaks with a visiting professional about the products this company offers in the Dominican Republic

Tourism Minister, Francisco Javier García, speaking with Haydee Kuret de Rainieri, president of ASONAHORES in the Dominican stand at FITUR 2010.

Antonio Herrera, of Amhsa Marina, speaks with a professional visitor at FITUR 2010.