The Dominican Republic participated as the guest country at the 21st International Tourism Fair of Paraguay (FITPAR), held at the Mariscal Convention Center in Asunción, as it seeks to attract more Paraguayan visitors and promote destinations beyond Punta Cana.
Reina Olivares, representative of the Dominican Republic Tourism Office in Argentina for Uruguay and Paraguay, said the country’s participation marked its return to FITPAR following the pandemic. He highlighted the opportunity to strengthen relationships with travel agencies and tour operators in Paraguay.
While Punta Cana remains a well-established destination among Paraguayan travelers, the Dominican delegation promoted other tourism options, including Puerto Plata, Samaná, Bayahíbe, La Romana and Santo Domingo, offering visitors a broader range of experiences.
Olivares also pointed to air connectivity between Paraguay and the Dominican Republic as an advantage for increasing travel and facilitating access to different destinations across the country.
The event, organized by the Paraguayan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism Companies (Asatur), brought together more than 600 exhibitors, 300 brands and representatives from 11 countries. FITPAR features tourism businesses, destinations and institutions, along with professional meetings, business opportunities and activities focused on gastronomy, culture and travel.
The Dominican Republic’s participation forms part of its efforts to diversify its tourism markets, strengthen ties with the Paraguayan travel industry and position more of its destinations among South American travelers.