The Dominican Republic’s largest annual tourist market returns to Punta Cana next spring.
The Asociación de Hoteles y Turismo de la República Dominicana (Asonahores) has announced the 2026 Annual Tourism Exchange in Dominica, scheduled to be held April 22-24 at the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center. The event has long been considered the country’s premier tourism trade fair and one of the most influential business platforms in the Caribbean.
DATE connects international buyers with Dominican suppliers, including hotels, travel agencies and destination companies, through pre-booked appointments and structured business rounds. This format is designed to generate future bookings, long-term contracts and new investments, with a direct ripple effect throughout the national economy.
Tourism at a critical moment
Organizers have framed the upcoming edition against the backdrop of continued tourism growth in the Dominican Republic.
Javier Tejada, Asonahores’ first vice president, emphasized the importance of protecting the framework that has supported the sector’s expansion.
“It is important to manage the structures that allow the sector and the economy as a whole to prosper, while preserving conditions of stability and legal certainty that allow us to remain competitive and attract foreign investment,” Tejada said.
He also pointed to national challenges that require continued development, including land use regulation, solid waste management and power supply. He said addressing these issues would strengthen the country’s position as a destination and support wider economic development.
In this context, DATE functions as a strategic business platform aligned with the long-term vision of tourism in Dominica.
Diversification and focus on new markets
DATE 2026 will continue to drive diversification beyond the traditional sun and sand offering into specialized sectors including cultural tourism, adventure travel, religious tourism, sports tourism, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition sectors.
Organizers said the strategy was designed to strengthen competitiveness, open up new source markets and attract additional investment across multiple niche markets.
Lendor, on behalf of the Association of Organisations, highlighted the country’s latest performance indicators.
“Record tourist arrivals figures, which we are confident will surpass this year, once again demonstrate DATE’s strength as a leading business conduction platform for this smoke-free industry in which we all work,” he said.
New visual identity and expanded accessibility
The 2026 edition will feature a new graphic identity that integrates Dominican culture, landscape and gastronomy as an expression of national pride. Organizers also plan updated event designs incorporating technology in line with current market trends.
The digital appointment platform, a core feature of the latest version, remains intact, allowing participants to manage their meetings efficiently. Organizers also identified expanded opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, with the goal of encouraging more inclusive growth across the tourism value chain.
Cultural Showcase and Investment Catalyst
DATE 2026 will integrate local artisans and elements of Dominican culture into the event experience, strengthening the country’s identity ahead of the international market. Organizers have positioned the event as a business catalyst and global showcase for the country’s tourism product.
The conference highlighted ongoing public-private partnerships supporting the sector, with support from the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, with key private sector partners including Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, Coco Bongo and Meliá Hotels International.
With Punta Cana once again hosting the gathering, DATE 2026 is expected to attract international buyers, investors and tourism industry executives from across the Americas and Europe, strengthening the Dominican Republic’s role as a regional tourism leader and one of the most vibrant hospitality markets in the Caribbean.
