The Dominican Republic was recognized by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) as an important cruise destination in the world in a ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Miami.
“This is the result of all the work we have been doing together with President Luis Abinader to promote cruise tourism, with destinations such as Puerto Plata, with Amber Cove and Taíno Bay, as a major attraction,” said Tourism Minister David Collado, after receiving recognition from Michelle Paige, president of the FCCA.
Collado gave credit to the work of the Dominican Port Authority and its director Jean Luis Rodríguez for making it possible for the ports of Quisqueyano to be at the level expected.
Paige presented the recognition to Collado for the recovery of tourism in the country and especially for the successful reopening of the cruise destinations.
“Together we will make history and make sure things are better than ever. We have great confidence in the Dominican Republic and that is why we recognize them today,” said Paige.
The Dominican Republic is participating in the Cruise Fair here in Miami, seeking to further boost this type of tourism in the country.
A total of five million tourists visited the country in 2021, according to the World Tourism Organization.
Cruise tourism has had a notable upturn in recent months throughout the country.
World Cruise Federation meeting venue
The Dominican Republic will host the meeting of the World Cruise Federation in September, informed Collado.
“We have received this recognition for how booming we have been in the cruise sector, and last month alone we received one hundred thousand cruise passengers,” said the minister.
Collado gave the information after concluding the second marketing meeting of the public-private committee, which determines how the country’s promotion abroad is invested.
The committee is made up of the country’s National Association of Hotels and Restaurants, the Port Authority and the Civil Aviation Institute, in addition to the ministry.
“We are looking to make the Dominican Republic’s funds more efficient. We decided to create this committee to receive tour operators and ensure that the country has more charter flights, mainly for cruise areas such as Puerto Plata and Samaná,” Collado added.
For Asonahores, participation in the fair is of vital importance.
“We are sure that this S Trade fair will be another success for the Dominican Republic,” said Rafael Blanco, president of the Association.
Collado explained that cruise tourism is a priority for the country and revealed that part of the promotional strategies are geared in that direction.
“The last tourism sector that was reactivated was cruise tourism and that is why this fair is so important,” he said.
He added: “We have representatives from Central Romana with its marina, Puerto Plata with Amber Cove and Taíno Bay and also from Samaná”.
He also referred to last month’s tourist registrations.
“We are coming in strong. We have projections that April 2022 will be the best month in history. After Easter Week, tourists continue to arrive”, he assured.
