Entrepreneurs in the tourism sector of Puerto Plata are optimistic that South American visitors will set a precedent in the recovery of this destination.
The promotion is rolling. Now it is time to work on increasing the diversity and hotel offer to receive visitors from South America, said José Natalio Redondo of the Northern Tourism Association, after the closing of the Anato Tourism Showcase held at the International Business and Exhibition Center.
Among the plans is to organize the city and improve the quality of the services for the tourists who enter during the summer, months in which the Arajet airline intends to start seasonal flights from Puerto Plata to Colombia, which they hope will become a fixed route.
On his side, David Llibre, president of the Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic, emphasized during the fair that this country represents an important market for the RD, since it has more than 50 million inhabitants, which represents a potential for the sector.
“Us capturing one and a half million Colombian tourists would be an important achievement,” he said, noting that air connectivity has contributed to this increase.
Ease of travel
In line with this goal, representatives of the Arajet airline said that Colombia has been one of the most important destinations and in that sense they announced that starting in April they will increase frequencies from Santo Domingo to Medellin, Bogota and Cartagena to boost connectivity between the two nations.
For this purpose, the availability of seats will be increased from 4,000 to 6,000 weekly seats that will connect the RD with Colombia.
Tobacco, chocolate, crochet pieces and larimar and amber jewelry were exhibited at the fair.
Speaking about the increase in operations, Manuel Luna, communications director of Arajet, indicated that the airline registered an increase in passengers during 2023 and reiterated that the company is ready to support initiatives that promote the growth of the tourism sector.
Regarding the possibility of making this route permanent, Luna indicated that they are in a conversation with the Ministry of Tourism to try to make this flight connecting Puerto Plata with Colombia a reality. “We are looking at all the possibilities, there are certain scenarios in which it is feasible to be able to put the flight, we can not yet announce it with great fanfare, but today we will be in meetings with the Ministry of Tourism,” he said.
Creoles in Colombia
The increase in Arajet operations not only favors Dominican businessmen, but also Colombians, since the authorities of the Colombian tourism sector are optimistic that some 300,000 Dominicans will visit that nation to reach the figure of six million tourists between local and international at the end of this year.
According to Andrés Santamaría Garrido, director of the District Institute of Tourism, says that the RD is the fourth largest tourist destination, and the bet is to reach the 300 thousand locals and the 100 thousand tourists who entered Bolivian territory in 2023.
For that connectivity and digital promotion of the destination is key, said Santamaría, pointing out that the country has a multi-destination offer that meets the tastes of tourists in which only in Bogota there are 50 entertainment centers, a gastronomic offer with more than 1,000 restaurants, and more than 20 thousand rooms available.
Bet
Summer
Last Tuesday was the first time that a direct flight to Bogota, Colombia was opened, specifically from the Gregorio Luperon International Airport, now the intention is to open it temporarily.
Country among the best-selling destinations
Promotion. On that stage, the RD also received two awards, one from the hands of the Grupo Empresarial Golden Vacation for being the best-selling destination in Ecuador in 2023 and another as the best Caribbean and Latin American destination from the executives of the travel agency PriceTravel Holding.
The visit to the stand of the RD was an obligatory stop even for the main competing markets.
More than 150 businessmen from the hotel sector attended.
In addition, conferences on the destinations were held with the participation of more than 500 tour operators.
Source: Mitur.com
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