With the sponsorship of the Dominican Tourism Competitiveness Consortium (CDCT), the First Dominican Annual Tourism Forum took place in Santo Domingo last week. International and local experts highlighted new trends in the industry with a focus on competitiveness and sustainability.
Following are highlights of some of the 17 presentations.
Marco Serrato of the Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, shared the Mexican experience with key travel and tourism indicators used to determine the strengths and opportunities for tourism in Mexico. He presented 112 variables.
Humberto Rivas, consultant for the World Tourism Organization, emphasized sustainability indicators used as feedback including those that focus on spending and length of stay, complaint handling systems, energy efficiency, attractions load capacity, role of the municipality, tourism observatories and linkages between key players in the tourism value chain.
Ramon Martinez, of Mexico said that the traditional tourism models are not exhausted. He said the new paradigm is to integrate resort tourism to the communities to improve the quality of living of the locals. He calls for diversifying to new markets and introduction of new attractions. He said what is most important is that each destination may differentiate itself.
Omar Estevez, also of Mexico, stressed the importance of synergies between members of the tourism value chain so there may be a variety of products and services offered. He said in Mexico they have highlighted beaches and ecotourism, but at the same time focus on the hotel complexes.
Victor Ramirez Montero, from Costa Rica explained the Costa Rican tourism model that focuses on nature without artificial ingredients, while also highlighting it is a sun, sand and wellness destination. He highlighted all beaches are public. He said Costa Rica has focused on its brand as a tourism strategy, while enhancing the sense of community and country, and the coexistence with communities as partners in tourism.
Eduardo Garcia Michel shared the Dominican tourism experience, with its mix of government, private and foreign sectors. He highlighted the strength in the hospitality of Dominican people, the revenue-generation by the sector and the job opportunities created. He criticized the strength of the Dominican peso and its effect on travel, and recommended implementing a differentiated taxation system for the tourism industry.
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