Expert negotiator Nelson Espinal Baez writes in Diario Libre about how the Dominican Republic, now that it is the leading tourism destination in the Caribbean, has soft power.
Soft power is described as the ability to co-opt rather than coerce (hard power). It involves shaping the preferences of others through appeal and attraction. Soft power uses culture, political values, and foreign policies to enact change. In 2012, Joseph Nye of Harvard University explained that with soft power, “the best propaganda is not propaganda”, further explaining that during the Information Age, “credibility is the scarcest resource.”
Espinal in his recent opinion piece in Diario Libre, explains:
“In 2024, the Dominican Republic welcomed over 11 million tourists and generated more than US$11 billion in foreign exchange earnings. But beyond the money, what truly flowed was an emotional, cultural, and human experience that positions the country as a leading destination in the Caribbean and the wider region.
“This is symbolic, cultural, and diplomatic capital that projects us to the world and establishes us as a regional benchmark. Each visitor who crosses our borders is not simply coming for sun and beaches. They come — and return — for something much deeper: an experience of emotional connection, belonging, and meaning.
“This is tourism that not only entertains but touches the core of our shared humanity — offering a unique blend of human warmth, natural beauty, vibrant rhythm, and cultural authenticity.”
Espinal says that the country needs to capitalize on the soft power of the hospitality industry. He writes:
“In terms of soft power, tourism in the Dominican Republic must be viewed not merely as a business venture, but as a pillar of national policy. Beyond promoting the country as a tourist destination, it should serve as a strategic tool to reposition the nation as a regional actor with a clear voice on pressing issues such as climate change, sustainability, food security, migration, and Caribbean–Central American cooperation.
“The culture the Dominican Republic projects — from its cuisine to its music — is not mere ornamentation. It carries significant geopolitical and emotional weight.
“Hospitality is more than a national trait; it is a strategic asset that shapes identity and global perception. And the famed joy of the Dominican people is far from a cliché — it is a form of resilience that commands both respect and admiration.”
Read more in Spanish:
Diario Libre
31 July 2025