Santo Domingo. – The Association of Hotels and Tourism of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) valued the celebration of the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, which will take place from July 24 to August 8, as a strategic opportunity to strengthen the country’s international positioning, boost tourism activity, and generate a positive impact throughout the entire value chain of the national economy.
The entity highlighted that the arrival of thousands of athletes, official delegations, technical teams, media, and international visitors will contribute to increasing the demand for accommodation, gastronomy, transport, commerce, entertainment, and other activities linked to tourism, reaffirming the Dominican Republic’s capacity to organize high-level sporting events with international standards.
In that sense, Asonahores highlighted that sports tourism represents one of the fastest-growing segments worldwide and constitutes an essential way to diversify the tourism offering, attract new investments, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a world-class destination.
“This type of event generates a multiplier effect that benefits the entire tourism value chain, boosts the development of local economies, and strengthens the country’s international positioning as a competitive, modern destination prepared to host major events,” Juan Bancalari, president of Asonahores.
The association indicated that sports tourism constitutes a driver for economic development today, due to its ability to attract visitors motivated by competitions and specialized experiences, while at the same time incentivizing investment in infrastructure, promoting urban regeneration, projecting the country’s image in international markets, and strengthening the productive linkages between the different sectors that make up the tourism industry.
Likewise, he pointed out that global trends show that today’s traveler seeks authentic experiences, an emotional connection with the destination, and spaces where they can pursue their passion for sports. In that context, hosting events of this magnitude represents an opportunity to continue innovating and diversifying the country’s value proposition, incorporating new experiences that complement the traditional sun and beach offer.
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Asonahores highlighted that the country has been consolidating its positioning in sports tourism thanks to the celebration of important international events and the recognition achieved by generations of Dominican athletes who have carried the national flag to the most important sports stages in the world. This sports culture, combined with the quality of the tourism infrastructure and the renowned Dominican hospitality, strengthens the conditions to continue attracting competitions of regional and international reach.
The entity reiterated that collaboration between the public and private sectors will be decisive in capitalizing on the legacy of the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, promoting a long-term vision that continues to drive the diversification of the tourism offering, the sustainable development of destinations, and the generation of opportunities for thousands of companies and collaborators that are part of the national tourism ecosystem.
