The Dominican Republic Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores) has officially locked in dates and a venue for its highly anticipated 38th annual tourism industry trade show, scheduling the 2026 event to run from September 2 to 4 at BlueMall Punta Cana. When the doors open, the exhibition will welcome more than 300 participating vendors, with exhibitors traveling to the event from both across the Dominican Republic and international markets.
Widely recognized as the Dominican Republic’s flagship business gathering for the tourism sector, the 2026 trade show will highlight products and services from a diverse cross-section of related industries. Attendees and participating vendors will explore offerings spanning food and beverage, hospitality technology, financial services for tourism businesses, commercial furniture, commercial-grade kitchen equipment, and sustainable energy solutions tailored to the sector. This broad showcase underscores the far-reaching economic ripple effects that the $10-billion-plus Dominican tourism industry generates across the entire national economy.
In comments on the upcoming event, Asonahores President Juan Bancalari emphasized that the trade show fills a critical role in the country’s tourism ecosystem: it acts as a centralized networking platform that connects established businesses, emerging entrepreneurs, local producers, and global suppliers to one of the Dominican Republic’s most dynamic and rapidly expanding economic sectors. Beyond deal-making, Bancalari noted that the event also actively fosters innovation that drives long-term, inclusive economic development across the country.
Early demand for exhibition space has outpaced expectations, with event organizers confirming that more than 70% of all available booth space has already been reserved by interested vendors. This strong early uptake is a clear indicator of robust private sector confidence in both the event and the continuing growth trajectory of the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry.
Beyond the core exhibition floor, the 2026 trade show will feature a packed slate of complementary programming and amenities. A longstanding fan favorite, the UNABAR Cup National Barista Competition, will return again this year, showcasing the skills of the country’s top coffee and beverage professionals. Organizers have also upgraded the event’s business lounge, creating a dedicated, refined space for high-level B2B meetings between industry leaders, and expanded digital media coverage to boost brand visibility for every participating exhibitor.
Sustainability remains a core priority for the 2026 event, with organizers rolling out new initiatives to cut the exhibition’s environmental footprint—most notably a shift to fully digital event materials to eliminate unnecessary paper waste. The show will also continue its longstanding commitment to supporting local creative economies by featuring the work of Dominican artisans throughout the venue.
The 2026 Asonahores Trade Show has secured backing from key public and private sector partners. The country’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) is an official supporter of the event, with major corporate sponsorship coming from leading Dominican financial institutions and energy firms including Banco BHD, Banco Popular Dominicano, Banreservas, and CEPM, alongside other prominent domestic companies.