Punta Cana Moon Palace incident, Jarabacoa ecotourism, Hola Viajes Awards and Asonahores 2026

Dominican tourism is on a roll: promoting new destinations, racking up international awards, and managing a crisis at one of its iconic resorts. The sector knows how to move on all fronts. Here is my read.

Today's brief

RD wins Best International Destination at the Hola Viajes Awards, Mitur accelerates Jarabacoa promotion, and Asonahores gears up for 2026. The sector runs on parallel tracks: outside recognition, interior development, and medium-term planning.

• The Dominican Republic has been awarded Best International Destination at the Hola Viajes Awards, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism. This recognition boosts the country's brand in the European market, especially among high-spending travelers who follow the Hola seal. Read the full story at MITUR Noticias.
• Minister David Collado promoted the destination in Chicago, stating that, according to satisfaction surveys, 100% of tourists who visit RD want to return. This data point has become a recurring sales pitch at ministry road shows. See the official note at MITUR Noticias.
• The Palace Company has issued its first official statement after an altercation at its Moon Palace, The Grand Punta Cana, where a staff member was involved in a fight with guests. The chain claims it acted immediately, following security and customer service protocols. A well-handled crisis at one of the Caribbean's largest resorts. Details at Dominican Today.

Hotels

Moon Palace Punta Cana manages its first public crisis, while Santo Domingo adds a high-end dining option.

• The incident at Moon Palace happened days ago, but The Palace Company has only now broken its silence. The statement says the altercation was between an employee and guests, and disciplinary measures were taken immediately. Beyond the event, what catches my attention is the chain's response speed: in a world where viral videos can destroy a resort's reputation in hours, speaking out with a clear message is the only smart move. Full statement at Dominican Today.
• Meanwhile, in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, Casa de Nadie has opened its doors. A fusion restaurant that promises to become a meeting point for locals and tourists. The capital's food scene keeps adding quality venues, which hoteliers welcome as added value for the destination. The opening is covered by Acento.

Destinations and promotion

Jarabacoa positions itself as the Dominican ecotourism flagship, and RD wins an international award that strengthens its European standing.

• The Ministry of Tourism, together with the Jarabacoa Tourism Cluster, has organized a familiarization trip for journalists and travel agents to position the La Vega municipality as the country's leading ecotourism destination. Jarabacoa offers rivers, mountains, coffee, and adventure experiences that are just beginning to be developed. If Mitur can connect this product with European tour operators looking for nature, it could open a high-value niche. Full story at Suelo Caribe.
• On the other hand, the Hola Viajes Awards recognition puts RD on the radar of premium Spanish and European travelers. This award carries weight: the jury is made up of luxury and leisure professionals, and the prize translates into features, mentions, and credibility in a segment that spends more per person and stays longer. Award details at MITUR Noticias.

Trade shows

Asonahores announces the 2026 Commercial Expo: the 38th edition promises new features.

• The Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) has confirmed the date for its 2026 Commercial Expo, the 38th edition of the event. It is the must-attend annual gathering for the hotel sector, where contracts are signed, new products are presented, and market sentiment is gauged. As we previewed yesterday in AILA gears up to receive delegations for the 2026 Central American Games, air connectivity goes hand in hand with these events. Official note at MITUR Noticias.
• Looking ahead to the next big event, Fitur 2027 in Madrid (January 20-24) will be the next major international showcase for the Dominican stand. The Mitur promotion team is already working on the agenda. Unsurprisingly, RD is one of the countries that contracts the most space at Fitur year after year.