Aventúrate RD Brings Global Buyers to Puerto Plata

Aventúrate RD is bringing together tourism industry representatives from more than 15 countries in Puerto Plata through Thursday, September 3, with the event focused on promoting and commercializing experiences centered on adventure, nature and Dominican culture.

The second edition of the tourism fair includes 60 exhibitors and 300 travel agents and tour operators, including both wholesale and retail buyers. The gathering gives international travel professionals an opportunity to explore experiences that extend beyond the country’s established sun-and-beach tourism model.

Expanding the Dominican Republic’s Tourism Offer

Jakaira Cid, CEO of Aventúrate RD, said changing traveler preferences are creating greater demand for experiences that allow visitors to connect with local communities, culture and stories rather than simply visiting a destination.

That shift is particularly relevant to destinations such as Puerto Plata, on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast, where tourism can combine beach attractions with outdoor activities, gastronomy, cultural experiences and nature-based excursions.

Cid described the fair as a platform for promoting a more sustainable tourism model that can generate economic opportunities while protecting natural resources and preserving the identity of local communities.

She also highlighted the role of innovation, technology and artificial intelligence in connecting tourism markets and tailoring experiences to travelers. At the same time, she emphasized that technological development should go hand in hand with the preservation of the communities and identities that give those experiences their character.

Tourism Officials See New Market Opportunities

Yira Vermenthon, director of Tourism Initiatives at the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), said the institution supports initiatives that help diversify the country’s tourism product and integrate adventure, nature, culture and community-based experiences.

The participation of international travel buyers could help expose visitors who already know the Dominican Republic for its beaches to a broader range of activities. For repeat travelers in particular, these experiences offer additional reasons to explore different parts of the country.

The event also brings together local tourism providers and international intermediaries, creating a setting where experiences can be presented directly to professionals responsible for developing and selling travel packages.

Connectivity Remains Key to Reaching Travelers

Carlos Rodolí, an Aerodom representative, underscored the importance of air connectivity in linking Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic’s wider tourism offering with international source markets.

Airports serve as the entry point for visitors, but Rodolí said the experiences available after arrival—including hospitality, culture, gastronomy and the natural attractions of local communities—can influence how long travelers stay, whether they return and whether they recommend the destination to others.

For Puerto Plata, stronger connections between transportation infrastructure and tourism experiences are particularly relevant as the province seeks to broaden the activities available to visitors and strengthen its position as a destination for travelers interested in more than conventional resort tourism.

Puerto Plata Seeks a More Diverse Tourism Model

Anthony González, vice president of the Puerto Plata Tourism Cluster, said hosting the fair in the province provides an opportunity to strengthen coordination among local tourism stakeholders and expand the commercialization of complementary experiences.

The cluster is seeking to promote a more diversified and inclusive tourism offer by incorporating new experiences and presenting different ways for travelers to experience Puerto Plata.

With hundreds of travel professionals attending, Aventúrate RD places the province at the center of efforts to connect international demand with experiences built around nature, culture, gastronomy and local communities. For travelers considering a return to the Dominican Republic, that broader product could offer more opportunities to explore the country beyond its best-known coastal attractions.