LA ROMANA — A large-scale tourism-focused employment fair hosted by the Dominican Ministry of Labor has opened more than 5,000 formal job positions for local Dominican workers, bringing over 50 leading tourism sector companies together to connect directly with qualified candidates.
Hosted at the city’s Eleoncio Mercedes Sports Center, the event “Your Job Is Here: in Tourism” was designed to tackle two pressing priorities: meeting the accelerating hiring demands of one of the country’s most vital economic sectors, and removing barriers for Dominican job seekers to access stable, formal work. The gathering created a collaborative platform where candidates could share their professional profiles, discuss open roles, and complete initial recruitment steps face-to-face with hiring managers from participating companies.
Juan Bancalari, president of the Dominican Hotel and Tourism Association (Asonahores), emphasized the central role tourism plays in the national economy during the event. As the country’s largest source of revenue, Bancalari noted, the tourism sector continues to see consistent growth that outpaces the current supply of trained workers. He encouraged Dominican job seekers to pursue specialized technical and professional training programs to align their skills with the sector’s evolving needs for skilled talent.
Beyond recruitment activities, the Ministry of Labor presented special honors to two key figures for their longstanding contributions to the Dominican tourism industry. Bancalari was recognized for his work driving sector growth and expanding job opportunities across the country, while Rafael Blanco Canto was celebrated for his decades-long career and impact strengthening the industry’s national standing.
Ministry officials highlighted that this employment fair is part of a broader, ongoing government strategy to upgrade national employment intermediation services. The initiative aims to bring job opportunities directly to local communities, reduce barriers to workforce entry, and boost the share of Dominican workers employed in the formal labor market, supporting long-term economic stability for workers and the tourism sector alike.
For additional reporting on the Dominican tourism industry and its economic impact, visit DominicanScope.