Cigar lovers were in La Romana this week, as the Procigar Festival 2011 opened with the participation of over 300 aficionados from the US, Asia, Europe and the Americas. The event is organized every year by the Association of Cigar Producers of the Dominican Republic.
This year it is taking place 6-11 February in La Romana and Santiago. The festival kicked off with a first event in Casa de Campo, La Romana with tours to the Tabacalera de Garcia factory, the largest for hand made cigars, golf tournament, visits to beaches and tours to nearby sites.
Next it moves north to Santiago de los Caballeros, for visits to La Aurora, Matasa, Davidoff, and General Cigar factories. There will be time for merengue classes, cigar workshops, a tour of the north coast on board a catamaran, and a visit to the Brugal rum factory.
Upon their return to Santo Domingo, participants will be able to tour the Presidente Beer factory. Eng. Hendrik Kelner, president of Procigar, highlighted the cigar industry’s importance to the Dominican economy and how the country has become the world’s leading exporter of premium cigars, which in itself is a tourist attraction.
As part of the event, a benefit will be held to raise funds for the Voluntariado de Jesus con los Ninos and the San Vicente de Paul Hospice. The Procigar Festival is a world event, with 30 international media representatives covering the event last year. Brands that are backing the event include Partagas, H. Upmann, Macanudo, Zino, Leon Jimenes, Romeo y Julieta, Fonseca, Avo, Juan Clemente, La Aurora, Griffin’s, Montecristo, El Credito, Don Diego and Davidoff.
Tours to the Tabacalera de Garcia factory can be booked year round. See www.dr1.com/directories/Tabacalera-de-Garcia-Cigar-Tours.html