Members of the National Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic, Inc. (ASONAHORES) are starting to gear up for the upcoming 13th edition of the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) and agents and suppliers still have plenty of time to join them.
DATE 2013, sponsored by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism, will take place at the newly remodeled Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort & Convention Center from April 23-25.
Since its first edition in the year 2000, DATE has been established as one of the leading events for the commercialization of the Dominican touristic product. Every year, it welcomes more than 100 tour operators and agents from main tourism markets throughout the world.
For three days, operators and agents take part in an effective business exchange with the main purveyors for the Dominican touristic product like hotels, travel agencies and rent cars. Appointments are prearranged among registered participants with the use of a system managed by ASONAHORES.
DATE was launched in 2000 to attract international buyers interested in the Dominican Touristic product. Previous to DATE, international buyers interested in the Dominican Republic did not count with a venue where they could meet, and negotiate, with a wide range of the local suppliers, ranging from boutique hotels to mega all-inclusive resorts, rental car companies and some of the best and most exciting local attractions; all under the same roof and efficiently organized with pre-scheduled appointments during a two-day period.
Since its debut, the number of visitors to the Dominican Republic originating from the United Sates has grown 21.07 percent annually for a total 274 percent increase in the past 13 years.
By the Numbers
Based on previous growth, DATE 2013 is expected to attract roughly 120 supplier companies and 450 supplier delegates; 140 buyer companies and 230 buyer delegates and more than 4,000 pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and suppliers. Last year’s event had roughly 3,785 such appointments while DATE 2011 saw 2,872 appointments.
Meet the Venue
Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort & Convention Center hotel offers 1,600 rooms, some of which are specially designed for families, and a new section of rooms for golf lovers that is located in front of the property's new golf course. Visit www.barcelo.com.
How/When to Register
Buyers can register up to the last minute, even on the opening day of the event, April 23. Registration can easily be made online at www.drdate.net.