With this participation, the DR seeks to market the destination in the meetings and incentives segment as one of the most important in the Caribbean region.
The Dominican Republic, through the Orlando FL Tourism Promotion Office (OPT) of the Ministry of Tourism, participated along with 13 exhibiting companies in the 11th edition of IMEX America, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, where more than 3,400 suppliers attended.
IMEX America is the main fair of the MICE segment held in the United States. Companies from 200 countries participated in this event to present their products related to the meetings and incentive tourism segment, through pre-established appointments with the most important professionals in the industry and related to the sector.
This conclave was held in Las Vegas, NV. where every year U.S. national suppliers, global tourism offices, convention centers, major international hotel chains, destination management companies, attended in search of business opportunities with the more than 10,000 visitors who gathered during the three-day event. 
“The Ministry of Tourism continues to bet on the meetings and incentives segment as one of the fastest growing segments after the pandemic and presenting our MICE benefits and capabilities in this edition, is a sign of the importance for our destination” said Roberto Henriquez, Vice Minister of Quality of Tourism Services, who led the MITUR delegation.
He added, “The Dominican Republic is at its best, its air connectivity, hotel infrastructure and expert DMCs make us the best option in the region for meeting events, incentive programs and groups.
Raquel Reyes, director of the Orlando FL OPT, highlighted the dynamism and enthusiasm of the allies and attendees at the stand. She also said that “the destination, together with the exhibiting companies, made more than 400 individual appointments and registered more than 130 participants in the presentations of the destination during the three days of the event”.
He added that it has been a team effort and work that has made it possible for their participation to be successful; “we are confident that as a result we will be closing important group sales in the short term,” he added.
The companies that were exhibiting their products and services with the Dominican Ministry of Tourism were: Amstar DMC, Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Coco Bongo Show & Disco Punta Cana.
Also, Connect DMC, Dominicana & Partners, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Hyatt Ziva & Zilara Cap Cana, Hotel Crowne Plaza Santo Domingo, Mi Tierra Verde DMC, Paradisus Palma Real by Meliá Hotels International, Renny Travel International DMC and Hotel Sheraton Santo Domingo.
Among the activations and attractions of the stand, the master cigar maker, Luis Confesor RodrÃguez, with 45 years of experience, was giving demonstrations of Dominican cigar rolling, delighting hundreds of visitors and aficionados, who enjoyed the samples offered by the staff.
Caption: Benoit Sauvage CEO Connect DMC; Roberto Henriquez, Vice Minister of Quality of Tourism Services; Raquel Reyes, Director OPT Orlando FL; Carina Bauer, CEO IMEX Group; Nick Clapp, Sales Manager IMEX Group.
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