Spanish
MADRID, Spain.– The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that he will continue for another year at the head of the Ministry of Tourism, while offering an emotional message to tour operators and travel agencies participating in FITUR, about the value of purpose, collective work and the achievements made by the Dominican Republic in tourism since 2020.
"And it goes without warning. The only mystery is when, how, and where, but we're leaving," Collado expressed when reflecting on the brevity of life and the importance of leaving positive marks through service, work, and commitment to others. In that sense, he assured that his decision to remain in the Ministry responds to the conviction of continuing to contribute to the country's development.
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The official called to value the small moments and to stand on the side of those who get up every day to create, innovate and build a better city, a better business and a better country. "I want to be on the side of human beings, together with the Dominican Republic, who live with a purpose," he affirmed during the luxurious celebration of Meet in Paradise, held in Madrid with tour operators and strategic allies of the tourism sector. During his intervention, Collado highlighted the historic advances of the Dominican tourism sector since his arrival at the Ministry in August 2020, in the midst of the worst global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the country had barely 10,000 hotel rooms open, with an occupancy of 10%. Today, he pointed out, more than 85,000 rooms are operating, with occupancy levels above 88%. Likewise, he recalled that in 2020 the country received between 1,300 and 1,700 monthly flights, with an average occupancy of 48 %, while currently the Dominican Republic receives around 6,500 monthly flights, with an occupancy that exceeds 88 %. Regarding the flow of visitors, Collado highlighted that the country went from receiving modest numbers of tourists to registering between one million and one million three hundred thousand monthly visitors, consolidating as one of the most dynamic destinations in the world. "We did it. We were able to demonstrate what a small country can do when it puts aside personal, particular, and political interests, and puts the interests of the Dominican Republic on the table," he expressed. The minister highlighted that these results have been internationally recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which has on several occasions pointed to the Dominican Republic as an example of a public-private partnership. He also recalled that in 2022 the then Minister of Tourism of Spain described the country as “a beacon”, highlighting its capacity to undertake, innovate and move forward despite adversity. Among the key measures that contributed to the country's positioning, Collado mentioned the creation of a tourism insurance that covered COVID-19, when even many medical insurances did not, which generated international confidence and placed the Dominican Republic as a success and aspirational overcoming story. Finally, the minister urged travel agents and tour operators to maintain hope and a positive outlook for the future. "There is no night darker than the one just before dawn. Life must be lived positively, with hope and with the desire to always move forward," he stated. "God bless you all. With all my heart, I will continue working for another year in the Ministry of Tourism," Collado concluded.
