PUERTO PLATA — At the 2026 Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council meeting hosted in the Dominican Republic’s coastal city of Puerto Plata, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has bestowed a prestigious honor on David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism. The award recognizes Collado’s exceptional leadership and far-reaching contributions to the rapid expansion of the Caribbean nation’s cruise sector over recent years.
The award presentation took place during a high-profile gathering that drew senior C-suite executives from the world’s largest cruise lines and top tourism industry stakeholders from across the globe. In its citation, the FCCA spotlighted the Dominican Republic’s consistent upward trajectory in cruise passenger arrivals, the ongoing expansion of its network of port destinations, targeted upgrades to enhance visitor experiences, and the widespread economic gains that the booming cruise sector has delivered to local communities across the country.
The trade organization went further to praise the Dominican Republic’s rise to become one of the most dynamic and sought-after cruise hubs in the entire Caribbean region. This status, the FCCA noted, stems from a combination of the country’s strategic geographic positioning, strong air and sea connectivity, world-class tourism infrastructure, and a forward-looking long-term strategy to build a high-value, interconnected multi-port cruise network that caters to diverse traveler demands.
Accepting the award, Collado expressed sincere gratitude to the FCCA for the recognition, and reaffirmed the Dominican government’s unwavering commitment to deepening collaboration with cruise line operators, national port authorities, the local private sector, and grassroots community groups. The minister stressed that cruise tourism remains a core pillar of the country’s national economic development strategy, noting its outsized role in driving job creation and opening new economic opportunities for residents in every region of the Dominican Republic.
This year’s PAMAC meeting brought together top leadership from nearly all of the world’s leading cruise brands, including Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Corporation & plc, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Margaritaville at Sea. The high-level participation from global industry leaders further reinforces the Dominican Republic’s standing as a critical, trusted strategic partner for the global cruise industry, underscoring its growing influence in the regional tourism landscape.