Dominican Republic brings Paradise to Canada

Dominican Republic tourism authorities enabled Toronto travel agent Tracy Baker of Expedia Cruises to engage in some Dominican-style Dancing With the Stars Monday.

Baker was one of many travel agents brought to Toronto by the Dominican Republic Tourism Board for Meet in Paradise Canada 2026, which familiarized the agents with the Dominican Republic’s tourism infrastructure and culture, among other things inviting Baker and others to learn some fancy footwork from dancers brought to the Ontario capital to give lessons on such Dominican cultural expressions as bachata.

Canada is the Dominican Republic’s second-largest market, with the Caribbean country last year seeing 1,157,113 air passengers arrive from here. That represented 13% of the country’s total.

A Dominican Republic delegation that included tourism minister David Collado told the gathering that their country shouldn’t be viewed as simply a beach destination but one that offers history, cultural experiences, adventure, romance and novel cuisine.

The afternoon also saw Victor Pacheco — founder of Santo Domingo-based carrier Arajet, which serves Montreal and Toronto — report that his airline flies to 30 destinations and through its Santo Domingo hub can send Canadians as far south as Chile.

Pacheco also showed appreciation to travel agents: “I want to thank each and every one of you,” he continued, adding Arajet and the travel agency community are “growing together.”

Among hotel representatives on hand for the event was Gabriela Benedetto of Majestic Resorts, which has 3 properties in the Bavaro Beach area of Punta Cana

Benedetto praised the tourist board for hosting Meet in Paradise Canada, stating that, “It shows effort and a lot of respect for the travel agency community. It’s educational and fun,” she added of the afternoon, which among other things taught participants how to make Dominican handicrafts and casabe, a popular Dominican food.
Diego Higareda of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts — which also has a Dominican Republic presence — was another hotel representative on hand to update agents, reporting that last year was “fantastic ” for the company and it hopes for a further strong performance.

Bookings are particularly strong for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, he said.
Meet in Paradise Canada also won plaudits from Leticia Barroso of Airliners, who said it “gives you a really good insight into the Dominican Republic.”

Benedetto later said Majestic will open a Waterpark in December for guests of all 3 hotels and the attraction will have the likes of watersides and lazy rivers.

As well, one of the Majestic Colonial underwent a US$40-million renovation that included the redesigning of rooms.

Meanwhile, Baker said she enjoyed hitting the dance floor with other agents and their Dominican mentors.

“It’s great fun. They have a lot of energy,” said Baker, who spends a lot of time in the Dominican Republic and added the Dominicans make “everyone feel welcome.”

In the photo

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Diego Higareda of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts and Gabriela Benedetto (right) of Majestic Resorts are seen here with Alba Feliz of the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism. 

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Diego Higareda (left) of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts greets tourism minister David Collado while Collado was meeting Dominican Republic hoteliers during Meeting in Paradise Canada.