The 9th Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange , which took place in Bavaro recently, included 2,616 pre-arranged appointments between buyers and suppliers. This is 1,249 more than in 2007, when there were 1,367 pre-booked appointments. The president of the National Hotels & Restaurants Association, Luis Lopez said that 524 delegates registered for DATE, including suppliers and buyers. A total of 88 buyers and 92 suppliers took part, as reported in Hoy. Lopez said that this confirms the consolidation of DATE as a major platform for doing business with wholesalers, international tour operators, incentive group contractors, airlines, charter operators, hoteliers, tour operators and event organizers, and ground operations. DATE is the leading local event for the marketing of travel in the DR. This year it took place at the Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center.