Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez offered tour operators selling beach destinations in the country to increase government support to their DR promotions if they include a visit to Santo Domingo in their packages. He announced an increase of 25% in financial support to wholesalers selling Dominican beach destinations if they include Santo Domingo during the opening of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange 2005 at the National Theater last night. The travel-booking event is taking place at the V Centenario Inter Continental Hotel from 6-8 April, with an estimated attendance of 140 companies including buyers, suppliers and travel press.
Jimenez said that while Santo Domingo has been for years now regarded as a destination for the business traveler, the time is ready to show the other face of Santo Domingo, “a party city that is fun, full of culture, history, sports, golf and museums.”
Jimenez announced that the Ministry would be promoting the Santo Domingo de Fiesta program. As part of the activities, the Ministry is supporting four musical trios and presentations of Dominican performers at the Plaza de Espana, Columbus Park and El Conde pedestrian street.
During the event, Jimenez also announced the start of a convention center for Santo Domingo but did not reveal where this would be located. He did state that it would be a US$20 million private investment, that the state would contribute the land where it would be built and a four floor underground parking facility would be built.