The new president of the National Hotels & Tourism Association (Asonahores), Luis Rodriguez Amiama, who has represented Casa de Campo at Asonahores for many years, says that these are good times for the tourism industry. During an event held at the Hotel Santo Domingo to mark the start of his presidency, Rodriguez pointed out that he is starting at the same time as the new Medina administration. He says that these are times with a pro-tourism President who has set a quantitative goal for the industry, and the continuation in post of the minister of Tourism who is known for his harmonious relationship with the private sector.
President Danilo Medina is working towards an annual target of 10 million visitors within the next 10 years, double the current five million foreign visitors. President Medina confirmed that Francisco Javier Garcia, who was appointed by former President Leonel Fernandez in August 2008, would continue in his post as Tourism Minister.
Rodriguez also highlighted the fact that the sector is in tune with the Medina government plan and with the tourism development guidelines set out in the National Development Strategy.
Rodriguez heads a new board for the 2012-2014 period. The Executive Committee members of the 2012-2014 Asonahores board are: Luis Emilio Rodriguez, president, Casa de Campo; Ventura Serra, first vice president, senior vice president Occidental Hotels Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Cuba; Paola Rainieri de Diaz, second vice president, Puntacana Resort & Club; Maria Vasquez, third vice president, Association of Fast Food Restaurants (Adecor); Juan Bancalari, fourth vice president, Dominican Association of Residential Tourism (Adeti); Polibio Schiffino, treasurer, Casa Bonita; Joel Santos, vice treasurer, Coral Hospitality Corp; Luis Jose Cabral, secretary, Hotel Don Juan; and Jesus Almanzar, vice secretary, Viva Dominicus.
The regional directors are: Rafael Blanco Tejera, Viva Residence; Analie Prieto, Portillo Beach Club & Spa; Francisco Castillo, Melia Hoteles; Jesus Duran, Bahia Principe; Fernando Gomez, Hoteles Barcelo; Augusto Sanchez, Dominican Association of Restaurants Inc, (Aderes); Frank Rainieri, Association of Airports; Osvaldo Oller Bolanos, Association of Cruise Ports (Acruport); and Eduardo Reple, Santo Domingo.
Other regional directors are: Francisco Perez, Boca Chica; Jose Antonio Rodriguez Copello, Juan Dolio; Daniel Hernandez, Romana/Bayahibe; Ernesto Veloz, Punta Cana/Bavaro; Roberto Casoni, Playa Dorada; Maximo Iglesias Minino, Puerto Plata; Diego Giribaldi, Sosua/Cabarete; Federico Schad, Samana; and Edmundo Aja, Santiago.
Other board members are Julio Llibre, past president; Haydee Rainieri, president of the Advisory Committee; Simon B. Suarez, advisor; Ellis Perez, advisor; Manuel Quiterio Cedeno, public relations advisor (Cicom); Julio Schiffino, advisor; Nabij Khoury, advisor; and Arturo Villanueva, executive vice president.