Dominican Republic prepares DATE 2026, the Major Caribbean tourism business event

The Dominican Republic Hotels and Tourism Association has confirmed a new edition of its main tourism trade fair, which will once again bring together international buyers and industry suppliers from April 22 to 24, 2026.

The announcement was made in Santo Domingo, reaffirming the event’s position as the country’s most important tourism business platform and one of the most influential in the Caribbean. The event will take place at the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, the usual venue for this business gathering that connects Dominican offerings with the world’s main source markets. 

The organizers highlight that the fair serves as a direct driver of economic activity, facilitating commercial agreements, generating future sales, and strengthening ties between local companies and foreign buyers.    

The association’s first vice president, Javier Tejada, emphasized that Dominican tourism is experiencing a historic moment, having welcomed more than 11.6 million visitors in 2025 , a figure roughly equivalent to one tourist per inhabitant of the country. According to him, this growth requires preserving the conditions that have sustained the sector’s development, including legal stability, security, and a favorable investment climate.  

He also pointed out that the country faces strategic challenges that must be addressed to maintain the expansion pace, such as territorial planning, waste management, and electricity supply. In this context, he noted that the fair aligns with the Dominican tourism sector’s future vision by promoting business, innovation, and industry planning.

Beyond its traditional commercial role, the event encourages diversification into specialized segments such as cultural, adventure, religious, sports, and meetings tourism, broadening markets and strengthening the destination’s international competitiveness. 

For her part, the association’s executive vice president, Aguie Lendor, highlighted the fair’s global projection as a tool connecting the country with international tourism dynamics. She noted that visitor arrival records , which may even be surpassed this year , reflect the fair’s strength as a space for generating business within the so-called industry without chimneys.

The 2026 edition will feature changes to its visual identity, incorporating cultural, scenic, and gastronomic elements as expressions of national pride. It will also showcase a renewed stage design with greater technological presence, in line with sector trends. Recently implemented tools, such as the digital platform that facilitates the organization of business meetings efficiently, will continue to be used.

Another focus will be expanding opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to integrate new actors into the tourism value chain and foster more inclusive growth. The program will also include cultural performances and participation from local artisans, reinforcing the country’s identity before international markets.

With this new edition, the fair seeks to once again consolidate itself as a driver of investment, generator of commercial agreements, and a global showcase for Dominican Republic tourism.

The event has the support of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism, as well as strategic private-sector partners such as Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, Coco Bongo, and Meliá Hotels International.