The Dominican Republic Tourism Office in France has organized a merengue and bachata workshop to promote dance-themed vacation packages to the Dominican Republic. Over 200 people, including 25 tour operator representatives, took the course at the Academia de Danza Salsabor, decorated for the occasion with Dominican Republic tourism posters.
Florange Berge of Vacance Transat (VAT), sponsor of the event, and Mercedes Castillo, director of the Paris-based tourism office, hosted the event. The plan is to include two hours of dance classes as part of the stay to ensure that the tourist learns how to dance merengue and bachata in the DR.
Castillo explained that bachata is very popular in France and Europe in general, and that there is a high demand for lessons in European dance schools. The music is frequently played in French and other European discotheques.