The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, acknowledged the “support of Banco Popular Dominicano” for the development of national tourism.
Banco Popular and the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in France hosted a dinner in honor of the official delegation, investors and hoteliers participating in the 43rd edition of the International French Travel Market – Top Resa 2022.
During the evening, which took place at the headquarters of the Dominican embassy in Paris, the guests enjoyed a four-course menu, paired with French wines and champagne.
The event was headed by Rosa Hernández de Grullón, plenipotentiary ambassador of the Dominican Republic in France; Christopher Paniagua, executive president of Banco Popular; the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and the president of the Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES), Rafael Blanco Tejera.
In his remarks during the opening toast, the executive president of Banco Popular thanked the Dominican Embassy in France and its ambassador for welcoming this initiative of the bank and its joint work with the Ministry of Tourism, which he congratulated for its efficient management that has achieved important milestones in the recovery of national tourism.
Popular’s support to tourism
Paniagua underscored Popular’s support for the development of tourism in the Dominican Republic, highlighting the bank’s strategic support to the sector, of which it has historically been its main financier, accompanying it “with innovative investment instruments that contribute to the expansion and sustainability of its businesses”.
Ambassador Hernández de Grullón emphasized in her speech the importance of tourism for the Dominican Republic, an activity thanks to which “the world knows the capacity of the Dominican people to work together in favor of the same destination, to promote culture, historical values and the economic and social development of the country”.
“The initiatives of the Government and the Ministry of Tourism, with its relentless effort to develop our main source of economic income, have made us an international example,” said the ambassador.
Tourism Minister David Collado acknowledged the “support of the Banco Popular Dominicano” to the development of national tourism, explaining that this banking entity is part of the “historic achievements” and the “dynamics” united of tourism, which has allowed this sector of the economy to end 2022 as a record year, with more than 7 million tourists received.
“We have made the whole world take notice of what is happening in the Dominican Republic,” said Minister Collado.
Meanwhile, ASONAHORES president Rafael Blanco Tejera explained that the private sector feels “supported by the central government, by Banco Popular, which has always been a total ally of the tourism sector, in crises and in the best of times.”
“The expansion of the tourism sector would not have been possible without the collaboration of the national banks that support the tourism sector and we are also supported by our Minister of Tourism”, emphasized the president of ASONAHORES.
Among those attending the dinner were Encarna Piñero, CEO of Grupo Piñero; Gabriel Escarrer, executive vice president of Grupo Meliá, and his wife, María Belén Puerto; Ricardo Felip, vice president of Planning and Business of Coral Hospitality; Carmen Rosa de Torres, director of Sales and Hospitality of Grupo Puntacana, among others, as well as a representation of executives from Banco Popular and the members of the Dominican delegation for this fair.
Tourism recovery
The gala sponsored by Banco Popular was part of a series of activities held at this international fair for tourism professionals, a forum considered the gateway to the French-speaking markets, which took place from September 20 to 22.
Banco Popular had a space in the Dominican Republic’s stand at the Paris Expo Puerta de Versailles fairgrounds, and the executives also had a business agenda with hotel businessmen interested in the country and participated in meetings with tour operators and travel agencies.
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