The Dominican Association of Hotels and Tourism (Asonahores) has officially announced the dates for the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) 2026. The Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center will host the event from 22 to 24 April 2026.
DATE is the most important national tourism event of the year. The tourism exchange brings together all of the actors in the Dominican tourism ecosystem: tour operators, hotels, spas, boutique hotels, transportation services, translation services, and publications.
As the country’s leading B2B tourism marketplace, it connects international travel agents and tour operators with local hotels, receptive operators, and tourism service providers.
The 26th edition is expected to be a major catalyst for investment, following a 2025 event that saw over 8,000 business appointments. It serves as the primary “global showcase” for the Dominican Republic’s tourism identity and is a key driver for the industry’s continued growth in the Caribbean.
Javier Tejada, the first vice-president of Asonahores, told reporters that this is a historic moment since the country received over 11.6 million visitors last year. He noted that there are some challenges that need to be addressed, such as the questions surrounding the protected areas, the removal of solid wastes, and a guaranteed supply of electricity.
Tejada was quick to point out the innovations that local tourism is now offering, such as medical, sports, religious and adventure segments, along with the curiously-named MICE segment (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), which is a high-value sector of business travel.
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El Caribe
Asonahores
24 February 2026