Dominican Republic and IADWP Seal Global Alliance to Boost Luxury Wedding Tourism

Miami, Florida – April 2025 – In a strategic move to consolidate its position as a leading destination for luxury weddings and romantic experiences, the Dominican Republic and the International Association of Destination Wedding Professionals (IADWP) have signed a global collaboration agreement.

The Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado, and the president of IADWP, Kitzia Morales, formalized the agreement during the Las Américas Tradeshow in Miami, a key event for the tourism industry.

This partnership aligns perfectly with the Ministry of Tourism's strategy: "Dominican Republic, Exploring Luxury Tourism," which aims to position the country as an elite destination for discerning travelers.

The Rise of Luxury Destination Weddings

The luxury destination wedding market is booming, representing approximately 27% of the global wedding industry and generating nearly $80 billion annually. Couples are increasingly seeking personalized and exclusive experiences, combining the ceremony with multi-day trips for their guests. This includes stays at five-star hotels, private villas, gala dinners, and exclusive excursions.

The Wedding Industry: A Global Cultural and Economic Powerhouse

Contrary to common perception, the wedding industry is a massive economic engine, valued at over $300 billion globally—surpassing sectors like fitness and coffee. This market significantly boosts tourism, hospitality, and local economies.

Destination and Luxury Weddings: Driving Tourism and Exclusivity

Destination weddings, valued at over $90 billion, drive global tourism by attracting couples to exotic locations and offering unique experiences. Meanwhile, luxury weddings, with a market of over $28 billion, represent an exclusive and highly profitable segment, driving demand for fashion brands, content creators, and premium venues.

Cultural Celebrations: Heritage and Economic Power

Cultural weddings, especially those from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia, are multi-million-dollar events that celebrate tradition while making a significant economic and social impact. These celebrations, often spanning several days and continents, are vibrant expressions of cultural identity and powerful engines for local economies.

Dominican Republic: A Rising Luxury Wedding Destination

With its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and top-tier tourism infrastructure, the Dominican Republic is emerging as a premier luxury wedding destination. The country offers a wide range of options for couples seeking an unforgettable wedding—from intimate beach ceremonies to grand celebrations at luxury resorts.

Objectives of the Agreement

• Joint Promotion: IADWP and the Ministry of Tourism will work together to promote the Dominican Republic as a global luxury wedding destination.

• Training and Development: Programs will be offered to train and develop wedding industry professionals in the Dominican Republic, bringing in buyers from key markets such as the United States, Canada, Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru to enhance the quality of services and experiences offered. These programs will take place in May during the IADWP Academy events: Destination Wedding Congress (May 26–29 in Santo Domingo) and Love Dominican Republic (May 23–31), a special 8-day program to explore the destinations of Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Samaná, Cap Cana, and La Romana.

• Attracting Investment: Efforts will be made to attract investment into the luxury wedding sector in the Dominican Republic to strengthen infrastructure and service offerings.

• Creating Unique Experiences: Experiences will be developed to help industry professionals offer their clients personalized and exclusive weddings that highlight the natural beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic.

Strong Allies and Sponsors Make This Event Possible

This event is supported by strategic allies such as ABERD (Association of Weddings and Events of the Dominican Republic), the Santo Domingo Tourism Cluster, and the Santo Domingo Hotel Association.

We also thank our sponsors, whose support makes this event possible:

Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino, Kimpton Las Mercedes, Casas del XVI, VialX, DJFox, Renny Travel, Sunset Caribbean, AberRD, El Catador, Henry Coradín, Maria Sepúlveda Flowers, BackPanels, Jardinería Paulino, LS Leo Suberví, Cocktail Delivery – Experts in Molecular Mixology, Le Papier, Dauny Studio, Armony Música Ceremonia, Rosene & Talentos, Mercaflor, Event Studio Designer & Producer Firm, Ms Wedding Event Design by Mirta Sánchez, Roma Art Design, Majestic Mirage in Punta Cana, and Joia Bávaro by Iberostar.

Thanks to their collaboration, we are consolidating a high-level event, reaffirming our commitment to excellence in the wedding and sustainable events industry.

Statements

“This agreement marks an important milestone for the wedding industry in the Dominican Republic,” said Kitzia Morales, President of IADWP. “We are confident that together, we will position the country as a world-class luxury wedding destination.”

About IADWP

Pioneers in weddings and destination weddings, IADWP was founded in 2008 and is the only multicultural association in the industry, with a community of 2,500 members across more than 40 countries. Each year, over 1,000 professionals attend our events. We believe in inspiring, collaborating, and empowering the global wedding tourism, destination wedding, and celebration community. We bring together top-tier professionals to elevate the industry by creating tools and spaces that add value across various segments. Our mission is to build a strong and supportive community where all professionals—from destinations and travel agencies to wedding and event planners, resorts, photographers, and more—can connect, grow, and thrive. Together, we are shaping the future of love, one connection at a time.