NEW YORK – In a significant cultural achievement, the Dominican Republic has secured a position within the world of luxury travel publishing. Tourism Minister David Collado announced on Tuesday that the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo, is now featured in the exclusive Assouline book collection, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s international prestige.
The official launch event, held in New York City, was presided over by Minister Collado and Alexandre Assouline, president of the eponymous publishing house. The gathering attracted prominent figures from the tourism sector, cultural commentators, and influential voices from the creative industries.
Founded in Paris in 1994, Assouline has established itself as the definitive publisher of high-end, artisanal coffee-table books. Its collections are synonymous with luxury, chronicling iconic global destinations, legendary fashion brands, and artistic movements. These volumes are treated as collectible art objects, gracing the interiors of five-star hotels, exclusive boutiques, and private libraries worldwide. Inclusion in this curated series signifies a destination’s arrival on the global cultural stage, placing Santo Domingo in the company of the world’s most admired cities.
Minister Collado articulated that the new volume is a tribute to ‘the essence, history, and elegance of the First City of the Americas,’ thereby highlighting its profound heritage and value as a premier tourist destination. Demonstrating immense anticipation, the book achieved a rare feat by selling out its inventory twice across all Assouline global stores ahead of its formal release—a testament, as Collado noted, to the surging international fascination with Dominican culture, history, and way of life.
The project was brought to life through the editorial direction of Rossana Rivera, with critical contributions from Patricia Read, Manuel García Arévalo, Manuel García, and Juan Mubarack. Their collaborative efforts encompassed content development, meticulous visual curation, and narrative storytelling. This publication provides Santo Domingo with an unparalleled platform for global promotion, aligning seamlessly with the Ministry of Tourism’s strategic objective to enhance the nation’s profile within elite markets and the most exclusive luxury travel media.