In a strategic move to elevate the Caribbean nation’s standing as a top-tier global tourism and investment hub, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have jointly rolled out a pioneering “Tourism Training for Diplomats” initiative.
The intensive upskilling program, which is being hosted by the country’s Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training and will run through May 21, brings together a diverse cohort of active Foreign Service members, senior government officials, and leading industry experts. Over the course of the program, participants will engage in a structured schedule of interactive lectures and hands-on workshops covering a wide range of critical tourism-focused topics, from modern tourism governance and targeted investment attraction to expanding international air connectivity, advancing sustainable tourism practices, and refining strategic global communication strategies.
Speaking on the launch of the program, Dominican Tourism Minister David Collado emphasized that the new initiative underscores the central role the tourism sector plays as a core pillar of the nation’s ongoing economic and social development. The roster of expert speakers lined up for the course includes Vice Minister Carlos Peguero, veteran Ambassador José Rafael Espaillat, alongside senior representatives from ProDominicana, the country’s national trade and investment promotion agency, and UN Tourism, the United Nations’ specialized agency for travel and tourism.
At its core, the training program is designed to equip Dominican diplomatic personnel with targeted, practical tools they can use in their global postings to drive new foreign investment into the country’s tourism ecosystem, secure new and expanded international air routes to key source markets, and ultimately solidify the Dominican Republic’s competitive position as a leading Caribbean tourism destination on the global stage.