A group of local and international experts analyzed issues that concern the tourism industry focused on the comparison between the traditional hotel model and the emerging vacation rental industry through digital platforms.

The First “Tourism and Real Estate GC Roundtable” of the Dominican Republic was made up of the legal directors of the most important brands in the sector, executive directors of associations of relevance to the same, and UNWTO consultants.

The event was held by Quiroz Advisors-QA Legal, a prominent law firm specialized in the country’s tourism and real estate sector, in association with The Legal 500, a renowned London publisher in the international legal industry, which holds these roundtable discussions in multiple countries.

Among the topics addressed included the evolution of the hotel and vacation rental industry, its challenges and opportunities; the legal and regulatory framework for hotels and vacation rentals, as well as competition and challenges. Expectations and concerns regarding the Draft Regulation of the Territorial Planning Law, currently in the drafting phase, were also discussed.

They also touched on topics related to special tax regimes, consumer protection and security, data protection, cybersecurity, impact of technology and innovation, sustainability aspects, solid waste management, greenhouse gas emissions and the sargassum phenomenon as a significant challenge for tourism.

The round table discussion was moderated by José A. Quiroz, managing partner of QA Legal and included the participation of legal directors from companies such as Grupo Punta Cana, Central Romana (Casa de Campo), Cap Cana, Grupo Piñero, Meliá Hotels International , Coral Hospitality Corporation, Hard Rock Hotels & Casino, Hotel Embajador – Royal Hideaway, Iberostar Group and Playa Grande.

The activity had the special participation of Dr. Julio Facal, consultant to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and International Tourism Of Counsel for QA Legal, as well as the executive and legal directors of the most relevant associations in said sectors, including , Andrés Marranzini and Alba Russo, executive vice president and Legal Director, respectively, of Asonahores.

Likewise, Jorge Subero, president of the Dominican Association of Real Estate Tourism Companies (Adeti); Sarah Peña David, executive director of the Dominican Restaurant Association (Aderes) and Annerys Meléndez, president of the Association of Housing Builders and Developers (Acoprovi).

“This event, undoubtedly, marks a milestone for the tourism and real estate sector of the Dominican Republic,” Quiroz stressed.

The expert emphasized the need to reach consensus and join forces to promote the required actions and accompany the competent authorities, unions and business community in matters of regulation and generate proposals for solutions to current challenges of the tourism and real estate industry, seeking its preservation and the sustainable growth of such an important sector of the country’s economy as Dominican tourism.

Source: Experts from the tourism and real estate sector discuss new challenges and opportunities.