The Ministry of Tourism recognized the contributions of the main actors who have contributed, from their professional practice, to the promotion and positioning of the Dominican Republic as a destination in the Caribbean, during an event commemorating World Tourism Day on September 27.
The opening of these awards began with a plaque of recognition to the president of Grupo Diario Libre, Aníbal de Castro, for his diplomatic career and the work he carried out as the first permanent representative of the Dominican Republic to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
De Castro expressed the pride he felt for the opportunity to have represented a country which has found in tourism an engine, both for its local economy and for the dynamization of other economies.
“My pride is even greater when, in every meeting of the World Tourism Organization in which I have participated, the Dominican Republic has been an obligatory reference for the way in which it faced the pandemic, but also for the success in public policies in what has to do with tourism,” he said after receiving a plaque that was presented to him by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and the president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores), David Llibre.
The Ministry of Tourism highlighted the figure of more than a dozen leaders, entrepreneurs and executives who play a key role in the logistical and financial development of the industry, as well as those who have focused on the growth of the gastronomic, ecotourism, adventure, convention and luxury offers.
In this regard, the operations and facilities provided through the Punta Cana International Airport were highlighted, because “it has facilitated the arrival of international visitors to one of the most popular tourist areas of the country”.
The vice-president of Marketing, Public Relations and Communications of Grupo Puntacana, Paola Rainieri, expressed the airport’s willingness to continue contributing to tourism development, as it has been doing during its 40 years of operations.
Likewise, the public entity recognized the contributions made by the outgoing vice president of Asonahores, Andrés Marranzini, during his seven years in this role.
“We close this chapter, we begin another, but always within tourism,” said Marranzini to a standing ovation from those present.
At the financial level, the event also highlighted the tourism investments made by entities such as AFP Popular and Banreservas, which received their distinction from their president, Eduardo Grullón, and the general director of Tourism Businesses, Deyanira Papaterra, respectively.
In the area of luxury tourism and golf, Meliá Hotels International and Grupo Casa de Campo were honored.
In the field of excursion tourism, the company Runners Adventure was recognized by its president, Carlos Medrano.
In convention tourism, the president of Turelances, Elizabeth Tovar, was recognized.
The event also recognized those who have been involved in promoting the sector, such as journalist Manuel Quiterio, educators Luis Bolívar Troncoso and Luis Felipe Aquino, among other personalities.
Source: Mitur.gob.do