From today's DR1 - Juan Dolio continues to rise skyward!
ITB convention center in Santo Domingo?
Speaking at the ITB Berlin trade show in Germany, Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez announced the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism, the city of Santo Domingo, the Santo Domingo Chamber of Commerce, Banco Popular, Aerodom, the Sans Souci port, residential and commercial developers on behalf of the DR and the Messe Berlin for the carrying out of a feasibility study for the building a major convention center in Santo Domingo. Ricardo Hazoury of Aerodom, Manuel Grullon of Banco Popular and Luis Molina for Sans Souci Port were in Berlin for the signing. Jimenez said this would strengthen the country's positioning in the convention market. "The goal is for the DR to become the base for an ITB Messe Berlin style conference focused on the Caribbean", he said. ITB is sponsoring an ITB Asia trade show and convention for the Asian Travel Market this October in Singapore.
He also announced the March opening of what will be the Punta Cana area's second convention facility at Moon Palace.
At the conference, Jimenez also announced that the Ministry has approved four 30-floor buildings for Juan Dolio beach, the arrival of new brands such as Nikki Beach for Cabarete, Puerto Plata and the Buddha Bar hotel chain for the north coast.
Addressing an audience of over 100 international journalists, Jimenez highlighted the positive outlook for the DR as it implements its strategy to enhance its diversification, now focusing on high-end products. "We have always been known for offering good value," said Jimenez, who then stressed new investments by Ritz Carlton at Cap Cana, Four Seasons in La Romana, Westin in Macao, Punta Cana and Aman Resorts at Playa Grande. "We want to back upscale development, not because the DR as an all-inclusive model is behind us, but because the DR has the capacity to offer the greatest diversity," he explained.
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