Preparations for the upcoming XIII edition of the “Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange” – DATE 2012 – are underway in the Dominican Republic.

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - January 11th, 2012 -

Preparations for the upcoming XIII edition of the “Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange” – DATE 2012 – are underway in the Dominican Republic.

Last year, the country’s most important tourism fair was held in the beautiful tourism resort of Punta Cana, situated on the country’s easternmost region.

The event is scheduled to take place from April 17-19 and expectations are running high among the organizers.

Last year the number of participants jumped by 27%, with the number of participating companies experiencing an impressive increase from 85 to 108 companies.

Last year the event was attended by 345 delegates from 95 companies representing hotels, tour operators and other tourism-related companies, as well as 176 delegates from 108 buyers.

In total, 521 tourism entrepreneurs and marketing agents participated in the three day event.

Last year 2,872 business meetings were scheduled, and important announcements were made regarding the future opening of new tourism projects.

DATE 2012 is organized by the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES), the Tourism Promotion Council (TPC) and the Ministry of Tourism.

Participants in the annual fair include international tour operators, travel agencies and other tourism-related companies.

It is the perfect venue to define marketing strategies related to the country’s tourism industry.

Last year some 200 companies, representing national and international tour operators, hotels and other tourism-related companies met in the first all-inclusive Hard Rock hotel in the world: the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana.

###