| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 06/11/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 96 |
| Copyright: Other |
Dominican republic by Candida Brasnett
Tourism chief seeks top spot for island
New man at the helm will promote destination’s value for money
THE Dominican Republic’s new minister of tourism, Ramon Alfredo Bordas, is attending World Travel Market for the first time, with one aim – to tell the trade that he intends to make the island the Caribbean’s number one tourist destination.
His deputy minister of tourism Pedro Dajer and director of promotions Montserrat Despradel, as well as a delegation of up to 12 top hoteliers, will accompany him to WTM this year.
The Dominican Republic Tourist Board UK manager Roccio Rossi said: “Minister Bordas was only appointed in May when our new government was elected and took office in August. He is new to the job and sees WTM very much as an exploratory and fact-finding mission.
“He knows, as we all do, that the UK is one of our most important, if not the most important, markets to the Dominican Republic and it is at present falling very short of its full potential.”
Rossi said the minister’s main message would be the Dominican Republic is not a cheap destination, but a value-for-money holiday offering one of the widest product ranges in the Caribbean. He will also be keen to assure tour operators and travel agents the island’s hygiene safety programme has been fully implemented in all tourist hotels, following earlier fears of inadequate standards at some properties.
Details of this programme, as well as news of other infrastructure developments, will be available on the stand.
Rossi said: “WTM is going to be a very important event for me this year.
“I have been formulating my new strategy proposals for marketing and promoting the Dominican Republic to the UK and will be discussing these, and what budget I will be allocated, with the minister.
“I will also be keen to talk to as many tour operators as possible about future joint-sponsorship agreements,” he added.
Dominican Republic: keen to assure the trade that the hotel hygiene programme has been successful
Dominican Republic: keen to assure the trade that the hotel hygiene programme has been successful
Time Out
* Sandals Resorts is hosting theme days on its stand at World Travel Market, highlighting the main activities at its all-inclusive resorts. These include a Spa Day, Scuba Day, Weddings and Honeymoons Day and Butler Service Day.
* Goombay Smash Hour:Bahamas Tourism Institute agents are invited to the Bahamas Tourist Office stand for this year’s Goombay Smash Hour on November 15.